Mumbai: Under a heavy overcast sky and oppressive mid-monsoon humidity, Shivaji Park in Dadar witnessed a massive crowd—of roughly 3,000 protesters by police’s estimate—on the sixth day of student-led demonstrations in the city on Friday.Police lodged an FIR against five persons for participating in demonstrations in Shivaji Park as well as Tilak Nagar in Chembur and Santacruz in defiance of prohibitory orders on large public gatherings.The protest at Shivaji Park was scheduled to begin at 4pm, but it was swarming with imposing numbers well before the opening call, transforming Dadar into the epicentre of a growing youth movement. A central stage was erected for speakers, positioned under the gaze of the Meenatai Thackeray bust near the park’s main entrance. Unlike most protests that feature a loud protester with a ‘dafli’, this one had a set playlist: patriotic songs, songs from the movie ‘Rang De Basanti’, and track ‘Azaadi’ from ‘Gully Boy’.Within moments of commencement, the human tide stretched from the junction outside Shiv Sena Bhavan to the park gates. Police vans lined the main thoroughfares and the final stretch of Keluskar Road leading into the park was barricaded. Several protesters scrambled onto bollards and surrounding residential boundary walls to secure a vantage view of the stage.Attendees held placards like “Lathis are for criminals, why use them on students?” and “Everybody is gangsta until cockroaches start flying”. Adding to the visual spectacle, several young demonstrators arrived in full cosplay—including Captain America, Krrish, and a wildly popular Spider-Man.Interspersed throughout the dense crowd were people from all walks of life, brought together by shared frustration over exam leaks and crackdowns.Dr Adarsh Tajane (24), an intern at Sion Hospital who arrived straight from work in his medical scrubs and stethoscope, emphasised the need for systemic reform. “An example needs to be set for the future so that things like paper leaks don’t happen,” he said.For others, the motivation was personal. Dr Disha Vichare, a dentist wrapped in the Tricolour and holding a red rose, drew on her own experience with competitive exams. “I have been through NEET and understand the mental toll it can take,” she said. “Those students did not have to die, and moreover, people were beaten up for raising the issue.”The protest also drew first-time agitators like Shreesti Kumari (27), a copywriter originally from Jharkhand. She said police action against students in Delhi was the tipping point that pushed her out onto the street.Student Balraj Singh (19) stood holding a compilation of Bhagat Singh’s writings. “He stood for change,” he said.Broader solidarity brought cross-generational participation from across the city. Murtaza Engineer, an advocate in Bombay high court, arrived from Mazgaon with his wife, brother and 81-year-old mother. “My daughter is a surgeon at JJ Hospital. I don’t need to be here, but this is for the children of India,” he said. “My daughter has already cleared the exam, but we are asking for accountability. We shouldn’t need to protest for that.”Around 6.15pm, police personnel began slowly nudging the crowd out of the primary assembly zone. As the main gathering dispersed, smaller groups split off into surrounding feeder roads, briefly stalling traffic across Dadar.(With inputs from S Ahmed Ali)
