New Delhi: Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson Tushar Gandhi, who was allegedly detained as he was on his way to mark Quit India Day in Mumbai, said he wanted to thank the government for having shown him the “same respect as was given to Bapu” who raised his voice against the British, news agency ANI reported.
According to a police official, Tushar Gandhi was stopped from taking part in a rally at Santacruz for which permission was denied, PTI reported. However, later he was allowed to go to the August Kranti Maidan.
Speaking to ANI after having been detained, Tushar Gandhi said, “I was detained this morning at 7:00 am and police said that our 'Shanti Yatra' was a threat to law and order...I was there for three hours...In 1942, Bapu and then Baa were arrested to raise their voice against the British. I want to thank the government for giving me the same respect by detaining me today...They said that law and order was in danger because of our rally. We aren't terrorists.”
Taking to Twitter earlier in the day, he posted, “For the first time in history of Independent India I have been detained at Santa Cruz Police Station as I left home to commemorate 9th August Quit India Day. I am proud My Great Grandparents Bapu and Ba had also been arrested by the British Police on the historic date."
According to a report by PTI, Gandhi was supposed to take part in a rally from Girgaon Chowpatty to August Kranti Maidan to commemorate the Quit India Day. However, as he stepped out of his house, police said he could not participate in the rally as permission for it was denied due to law and order issue. Gandhi then returned to his residence.