Actor Imran Khan was detained by the Mumbai Police on Saturday at August Kranti Maidan, the proposed venue for a protest in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). After the detention, he shared a picture of himself seated in what appeared to be a police van.
Light-hearted post from the police van
Imran Khan posted the photo with a witty caption. He wrote, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”
Imran Khan speaks to media
According to the ANI report, while speaking to the media, Imran Khan said he had not come with any specific demands. He said he was there as a resident of Mumbai who wanted to know why movement was being restricted and why people were being silenced.The actor said, “I don’t have demands. I am here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted. Why are people’s voices being suppressed? That is why I am here.”
Imran Khan clarifies he is not part of any organisation
The actor also made it clear that he has no link with any group and was taking part on his own. He added, “I don’t have any right to demand anything from people. I am not a part of any organisation. I will stand as a representative.”
His post on the previous student protest
The actor had also backed the student protest on social media. He expressed anger over the alleged lathi charge on students and said the system meant to protect them had failed them. He wrote, “Something broke in me today. Watching as police gassed and battered student protestors… how could I make sense of this? These students who worked hard only to be failed by the system. These people who asked to be heard, only to be met with silence. These citizens who stood up to show what matters to them… beaten down and disowned by the establishment.”He added, “Are these not the children of Mother India? If not them, for whom do we build, and whose future do we claim to protect? Those who demand ‘organisation’ from students protesting education reform but don’t apply such lofty standards of accountability to established authority; bootlickers, one and all.”
Hundreds detained in Mumbai and Delhi
The report added that according to the Mumbai Police, more than 400 people have been detained at August Kranti Maidan.In the national capital, Delhi Police sources said around 1,000 protesters have been detained so far. They were trying to march towards Jantar Mantar for a CJP-led protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.