Mumbai: Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) on Monday brought Mumbai to a boil with a massive ‘Mahaaandolan’ at the historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST) area, targeting the Modi government over the controversial Epstein Files and the alleged “one-sided” trade deal with the United States.

Thousands of activists from Mumbai and its suburbs gathered under the banner of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, raising slogans of “Modi Hatao, Desh Bachao” (Remove Modi, Save the Nation). The protest was led by VBA national president Adv. Prakash Ambedkar, with strong support from Matang Mukti Sena and several other social organisations.

Addressing the huge gathering, Adv. Prakash Ambedkar launched a blistering attack on the Centre, declaring: “The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, dances to America’s tunes. This trade agreement with the US is completely against India’s national interest. The country is once again heading towards slavery.”

Ambedkar demanded a transparent probe into the alleged mention of Prime Minister Modi’s name in the Epstein Files and insisted that the government must come clean on the issue. He also sharply criticised the RSS-Israel ties and the Modi government’s foreign policy.

Expressing serious concern over the safety of over two crore Indian workers in Gulf countries, Ambedkar warned that any escalation in international tensions could put their lives at risk.

Taking a swipe at the media, he said: “The country’s Prime Minister dances in front of another nation, but the media owners never ask this question. The anger of the people has now reached its peak - will you show it or not?”

He also highlighted the issue of poverty in the country and urged the government to focus on the basic problems of the common people instead of “anti-national” deals.

Addressing the rally, Rekhatai Thakur State President, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi said, " India's foreign policy was isolationist. But Narendra Modi has made the country bow down to America. Our country is moving towards slavery. We have gathered here to ask for answers."

Heavy police deployment was in place around CSMT to maintain order. Prominent participants included Rekha Thakur, Priyadarshi Telang, Utkarsha Rupwate, Disha Pinki Sheikh, Sujata Ambedkar, Chetan Ahire, Snehal Sohoni, Sagar Gavai, Rajendra Patode, Nilesh Vishwakarma, Ashok Sabale, Com. Milind Ranade, Atiq Dafedar, Avinash Bhosikar, Sachin Gaikwad and several other VBA leaders and social activists.

The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi has given an ultimatum to the Central government to immediately clarify its stand on both the Epstein Files and the US trade agreement, failing which it has warned of larger nationwide agitations.