Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) supporters chant slogans, hold placards and wave national flag as they celebrate the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination paper leaks, following a protest, in Mumbai. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

The police detained more than 400 protesters at two locations in Mumbai on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) during demonstrations demanding action over the alleged NEET paper leak. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aditya Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray visited a police station in Dadar later in the day, following which several of those held were released.

Also read | Jantar Mantar protest updates on July 22

Protests were held across several locations in Mumbai and elsewhere in Maharashtra. Several Congress leaders were also detained and later released in Mumbai. Meanwhile, a students’ delegation also met MNS chief Raj Thackeray at his residence as the protest continued at Shivaji Park. 

Prohibitory orders were enforced at Shivaji Park, Dadar and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Udyan Chowk in Chembur, where demonstrations were organised without prior permission, police sources said.

At Shivaji Park, DCP Mahendra Pandit said around 200 protesters were detained from an initial gathering. A larger crowd of nearly 1,500 people later assembled at the same location and was dispersed without further detentions. Members of the Chhatra Jawan Party and other organisations participated in the protest.

In Chembur, Zone VI DCP Sameer Shaikh said 700-800 protesters had gathered at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Udyan Chowk. Police separated approximately 200 individuals from the crowd and took them into custody. The assembly had violated prohibitory orders restricting unlawful assembly in the area.

Police said legal proceedings had been initiated against those detained for violating prohibitory orders and under other applicable legal provisions. Cases have been registered at the respective police stations.

Following the detentions, Aditya Thackeray and Amit Thackeray visited the protest site at Shivaji Park before proceeding to the local police station. Sources confirmed that the detained protesters were released after their intervention, although police did not confirm how many protesters were released.

Actor, comedians detained

Actor Ayesha Khan, known for her appearance in the song ‘Shararat’ from the film Dhurandhar, was among those detained at Shivaji Park, Dadar. She was later released.

Ms. Khan shared videos on Instagram from a police van and later from the Worli Police Station, alleging that she was detained despite not raising slogans or carrying placards. She said she had arrived at the protest venue around 4 p.m. to express solidarity and was standing by the roadside with two female friends after her brother and other male companions had been taken into a police van. According to her, the group had not begun protesting when they were detained. 

Stand-up comedians Abish Matthew and Raunaq Rajani were also detained, NCP(SP) spokesperson Anish Gawande said, adding that they were later released. 

Security remained tight at both locations throughout the day. A senior police officer said deployment had been strengthened across Mumbai following the protest in Delhi. “Since another protest is underway, we have deployed adequate force,” the officer said.

Discouraged by detention

Several participants said the possibility of detention had discouraged many from joining the protests.

Prisha, 22, a creative professional who attended the protest, said she was scared of police action. “Seeing them was not reassuring. Seeing them was like, this could go wrong. And if it goes wrong, it will come upon me,” she said.

Alti, 27, said protest organisers should be prepared for police action. “Mobilising people without conduct and structure is dangerous. The people mobilising these protesters must have legal structures in place,” she said.

Chhavi Arora, 23, a freelancer in the advertising and film industry, said many had asked her whether it was safe to attend the demonstration. “I have been getting messages asking, ‘Is it safe? Can we come? Are the police going to detain us?’ The fear instilled by an institution that is supposed to protect us is baffling,” she said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) member Sharif Deshmukh criticised the police action against protesters in Delhi. “Students exercising their democratic right to protest should not be met with force. The events at Jantar Mantar raise concerns about the space for peaceful dissent,” he said.

Demonstrations concluded at all venues, with no reports of injuries or further detentions after the initial round.

Published – July 22, 2026 11:12 pm IST