'Maine Kiya Kya Hai?' Comedian Masoom Rajwani Asks In Video After Getting Detained During IIT Bombay Student Protest

Mumbai Police detained stand-up comedian Masoom Rajwani and several others during a candlelight vigil in solidarity with IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who died by suicide in September. The detention took place at Chaityabhoomi in Dadar on Sunday, October 25, as protesters gathered to demand accountability in the case. Police said the gathering lacked the necessary permission and that they took precautionary measures to maintain law and order. Rajwani subsequently shared a video of the incident on social media, alleging that police personnel used force against protesters, including women and minors, during the detention.

Rajwani posted a video on his official Instagram account, in which police personnel are seen trying to allegedly arrest him at the gathering. In the clip, the comedian is heard repeatedly asking, "Maine kiya kya hai?" as the officers try to hold him. He tells a police officer not to pull on his T-shirt.

Accompanying the video, Rajwani accused Mumbai Police of using excessive force against protesters. He alleged that eight women were detained, and two minor boys were detained alongside him. "Look at @mumbaipolice and their brutality," he wrote, urging people to share the footage and draw the attention of media organisations and opposition leaders. He ended his post with the slogan "Jai Bhim".

The memorial and cremation site of Dr BR Ambedkar, Chaityabhoomi, is a place of great importance for the Dalit community. The candle march was organised to show solidarity with Wakode and demand accountability for the circumstances that led to his death.

Masoom Rajwani is a stand-up comedian who started his comedy journey in January 2016 after quitting law school to follow his passion. He is known for his unfiltered humour and political satire, and often talks about contemporary Indian society, identity politics, and freedom of speech.

Rajwani has built an audience through his live performances and on his digital platforms, tackling subjects such as Islamophobia, feminism, economic inequality and media bias. His comedy often deals with sensitive social and political issues, touching on topics that challenge prevailing narratives and question those in power.

On September 18, Wakode, a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay, was found dead in his hostel room. Reports said he had been caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination earlier that day. Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who allegedly invigilated the exam, brought the matter to the institute authorities' notice. Wakode, it is said, sought re-examination but was not permitted to take the test. Hours later, he was found dead. Officers have looked at CCTV footage from the exam hall as part of their investigation into the events leading up to his death.