‘Black Diwali’: Congmen detained at Mantralay

The Marine Drive police detained 35 Congress workers at Mantralay for protesting against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. They were protesting against the ruling government for hike in prices of the essential commodity, hike in petrol and diesel prices, job losses after demonetisation and for the implementation of goods and services tax.

The workers, led by Zeeshan Syed Ahmed, the Secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, tried to hoist black lanterns at Mantralay. However, the onduty security personnel detained them near the gate. They were taken to the Marine Drive police station.

Speaking to the Free Press Journal, Zeeshan Syed Ahmed said, “Diwali is only meant for the rich to likes of scamsters like Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and the Ambanis. However, this goverment has increased the prices of commodities, fuel and there are job losses due to demonetisation. The government has also been ignoring the loan waiver issue of the farmers of Marathwada. It is a ‘Black Diwali’ for the common man.”

After being detained for three hours at the Marine Drive police station, Ahmed and partymen were let off. Abhishek Trimukhe, DCP (Zone 1), “The members of the Congress party were detained and let off later.”

Zeeshan’s father Syed Ahmed was earlier elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly five times through Congress from Nagpada constituency.