Cinema VinesSwara Bhasker, the Bollywood actress, posted a series of videos on Instagram on Monday, July 20, 2026, showing her husband, political activist Fahad Ahmad, being taken into custody by the Mumbai Police during a protest at Chaityabhoomi in Dadar. The footage captures Ahmad being escorted away by officers while he questions their actions and demands an explanation for his detention.
In the caption accompanying the clip, Bhasker wrote, “Mumbai Police detaining @fahadzirarahmad and other protestors at #chaityabhoomi in Mumbai on 20 July 2026, at 4:30 pm. They are currently being detained at Mahim Police Station. This is India’s democracy. Shameful state of affairs.” She later added that Ahmad had been released after almost three and a half hours, noting, “Fahad has been released at 8pm.”
Another video shared by Bhasker shows Ahmad recording from inside a police van, describing the circumstances of his arrest. He urged supporters to gather peacefully at Chaityabhoomi, saying, “Mumbai Police is allegedly attacking peaceful protesters at #Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai. Those in solidarity, please reach Chaityabhoomi peacefully and in large numbers.”
The protest, which drew an estimated 300 demonstrators, was part of a larger nationwide movement led by the youth‑led Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The demonstrators were demanding education reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after the Delhi Police used tear gas and lathis to disperse thousands of protesters marching from Jantar Mantar to Parliament. The agitation was sparked by activist Sonam Wangchuk’s three‑week hunger strike over alleged examination irregularities, which ended when Delhi Police took him to a hospital on Saturday.
Following the incidents, several celebrities voiced their support for the students and activists. Riteish Deshmukh took to X to express solidarity, while Diljit Dosanjh, Vir Das, Sonakshi Sinha, and others posted supportive messages on social media. Veteran actor Shabana Azmi even joined the march alongside the students on Monday.
