This time, at least, it wasn't distasteful jokes, but rather doing something better?
Comedian Masoom Rajwani, known for his really friendly and inclusive jokes while also punching up at the establishment, was seen being detained in a clip making rounds on social media. It's reported that he was arrested along with around 20–25 other people at Mumbai's Chaityabhoomi for holding a peaceful vigil in support and remembrance of Sahil Wakode.
Chaityabhoomi, the well-known resting place of Dr. Ambedkar and a site of pilgrimage for many Ambedkarites, was chosen as a spot to hold a small vigil for the death by suicide of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, with demands for the resignation of the professor involved and an impartial probe into the incident.
It has been over a month since Sahil's death, and there are still no clear answers. But people have certainly shown a willingness to support institutions over the students inside them. With alleged videos going viral, misleading claims circulating and many other questions being raised, the case is still awaiting answers as the investigation continues.
84 organisations from all over India have demanded the resignation of the director at IIT Bombay, Prof. Shireesh Kedar, over the institute's mishandling of the case
What is the police so afraid of?
The police alleged that the vigil or protest took place without permission.
They said that they detained around 20–25 people at Chaityabhoomi, while another group was detained at Shivaji Park during a separate protest. The police said the gatherings lacked the necessary permissions and that precautions were being taken to maintain law and order.
While the protesters alleged that they were manhandled and weren't given any proper reason for their detention, reports also indicated that police were attempting to detain people suspected of being protesters.
This raises questions about what the police were trying to achieve when they detained people who were not apparently posing any threat. Why the over-vigilance, and whose side were the police on?
It also raises questions about what the intended goal was, because more people gathered as they heard about the detentions and subsequently held a vigil anyway.
Why was the police so desperately trying to look like the enemy of the people and their right to expression?
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