The activists, representing organisations like Pakistan India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD), Friends of South Asia, Sadbhawna Sangh, Muslim Front and Awami Bharat were arrested for wrongful assembly and later released. Around 5 pm, as the activists assembled to protest silently, the police, citing an order that prohibited assembly of more than four persons at public places, arrested the activists. They were holding placards that read "Restore democracy in Pakistan'' and "Down with Pervez Musharraf ''.

"We were protesting silently and tried to translate the slogans in Urdu, Hindi and Marathi, but the police arrested us,'' said Jatin Desai of PIPFPD, adding that the emergency in Pakistan was a direct attack on democracy and human rights.

Another activist, Feroze Mithiborewalla, said: "A military rule's first casualty is democracy and human rights. Activists in Pakistan like Asma Jehangir and I. R. Rehman are under house arrest. The media has been gagged. We show our solidarity with our friends in Pakistan in their fight for democracy.''

According to them, the emergency had not evoked strong protests from the US, which treats Musharraf as an ally in its fight against terrorism. "It's an assault that must be condemned by all. Unfortunately, the response from the US has been feeble,'' said Zaheer Ali of Friends of South Asia.

Many fear that dictatorship would encourage religious extremism. "If democracy is not restored, people's dissent may get an outlet in the form of the rise of Islamic fundamentalism," said Ramesh Pimple of People's Media Initiative.