Story perspectives

Mumbai Police Detain Protesters at Chaityabhoomi Candlelight Gathering

By Drooid · Oct 26, 2026, 10:34 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Mumbai Police detained about 20-25 protesters, including comedian Masoom Rajwani, at Chaityabhoomi in Dadar.
Police said the candlelight gathering was unauthorised and acted to maintain law and order.
Detainees reported blunt-force injuries, including shoulder trauma and a linear abrasion on the right elbow.
IIT Bombay placed Professor Suryanarayana Doolla on leave, removed him as dean and filed a case under the SC/ST Act.

History

Historical Context

The demolition of the Babri Masjid on 6 December 1992 sparked the Bombay riots of December 1992–January 1993, in which roughly 900 people died and the Shiv Sena was accused of orchestrating violence while police, led by Home Minister Gopinath Munde, deployed 30,000 officers. Today's detention of comedian Masoom Rajwani, professor Suryanarayana Doolla and protesters echoes that earlier crackdown on dissent.

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Story summary

Mumbai Police detained about 20-25 protesters, including comedian Masoom Rajwani, at Chaityabhoomi in Dadar.
Police said the candlelight gathering was unauthorised and acted to maintain law and order.
Detainees reported blunt-force injuries, including shoulder trauma and a linear abrasion on the right elbow.
IIT Bombay placed Professor Suryanarayana Doolla on leave, removed him as dean and filed a case under the SC/ST Act.

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