Why Prakash Ambedkar’s VBA Is Holding October 1 Mumbai Protest
Why is VBA protesting on Oct 1? Party chief Prakash Ambedkar announced a demonstration at Mumbai's CSMT urging the Centre to drop its 'pro-Israel approach' and back Iran. Ambedkar warned that Gulf hostilities and Strait of Hormuz disruptions will spike crude prices and domestic inflation, calling on citizens and clerics to join the 2 PM gathering.
Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) will stage a protest at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai on October 1, urging the government to drop its “pro-Israel approach” and support Iran, which is engaged in a military conflict with the US, its chief Prakash Ambedkar said on Tuesday, September 22. Addressing a news conference, Ambedkar explained that mounting hostilities in the Persian Gulf pose direct risks to India's energy security and household budgets, making an immediate recalibration of foreign policy essential.
“The Gulf war is impacting the Indian economy. Iran has always stood with us. India should change its stand of supporting Israel and should stand with Iran. We appeal to the people of Maharashtra to turn out in large numbers for the protest,” Ambedkar told a news conference. He noted that the October 1 demonstration is aimed at urging the central government to prioritize domestic economic resilience and historic bilateral partnerships over alignment with Western strategic blocs. 'No Active Trade Deal Between India and Iran', Says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Prakash Ambedkar’s VBA to Hold October 1 Mumbai Protest
कई मुस्लिम कार्यकर्ता, मौलवियों से पूछताछ की गई है और वे 1 अक्टूबर को वंचित बहुजन अघाड़ी के निकाले जाने वाले जुलूस के बारे में चर्चा कर रहे हैं।
यह जुलूस भारत की विदेश नीति से जुड़ा है। केंद्र में RSS―BJP की सरकार इज़राइल के साथ है, लेकिन भारत के लोग ईरान के साथ हैं। ये केहने के… pic.twitter.com/UlP87teZHW
— Prakash Ambedkar (@Prksh_Ambedkar) September 21, 2026
Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, said that to prevent India’s economy and household budgets from collapsing, efforts must be made to bring crude prices down. He emphasized that disruptions across Middle Eastern waterways directly threaten critical energy import corridors.
“Whenever India faced crises, Iran is the only country in the Arab world that stood with us,” he added. Taking a swipe at the government, Ambedkar alleged that efforts are being made to keep the common man entangled in issues of caste and religion rather than addressing pressing economic concerns. PM Modi and Iranian Prez Pezeshkian Hold Talks in Bishkek, Discuss West Asia Situation.
“Dharm is important, and many great leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jyotiba Phule and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, didn’t reject religion, but they emphasised that social life is also important,” he said.
Appeal to Community Leaders and Public Mobilization
Taking to social media platform X, Ambedkar detailed the rationale behind holding the Mumbai march and called on civil society members, activists, and clerics to raise their voices on international foreign policy issues.
Ambedkar wrote on X: “Several Muslim activists and clerics have been questioned, and they are discussing the procession being taken out by the Bahujan Aghadi on October 1. This procession is related to India's foreign policy. The RSS-BJP government at the center is with Israel, but the people of India are with Iran. This procession is being organized to say this.”
He cautioned that maritime blockades could trigger severe domestic inflationary pressures: “If the war in the Gulf escalates, India's problems will increase. India's oil comes through the Strait of Hormuz. If the oil supply is disrupted due to the war, inflation will rise within India. In such a situation, we hope that muftis and clerics will raise their voices on this issue at the national level.”
Ambedkar concluded his public appeal by calling for broad participation: “An appeal to all Muslims: Join in large numbers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Station in Mumbai at 2 PM on October 1, 2026, and amplify your voice.”
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 22, 2026 06:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
