CPI(M) Condemns the Arrest of Youth and Student Protesters
Image via the CPI(M)
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemns the detention of hundreds of youth and students who had gathered at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, today demanding the immediate ouster of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, who was instrumental in converting the ECI into a back office of the BJP's election work.
Delhi Police, functioning directly under the Union government, converted the entire city into a fortress and detained anyone approaching Jantar Mantar.
They sought to curtail the democratic right to protest guaranteed by the Constitution by denying permission for any sort of gathering at Jantar Mantar. Despite all their efforts, hundreds of youth and students led by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the Students' Federation of India (SFI), and various other student and youth organisations gathered at the site braving police highhandedness and the barricades. The police brutally manhandled the protesters and threw them into the buses, injuring many. The fact that it took more than two hours for the police to detain all the DYFI and SFI activists itself demonstrates the stiff resistance put up by the youth.
The General Secretary of the CPI(M), MA Baby and veteran leader Brinda Karat were detained along with Himagnaraj Bhattacharya, General Secretary of the DYFI; AA Rahim, President of the DYFI and Member of Parliament; Srijan Bhattacharya, General Secretary of the SFI; Adarsh M Saji, President of the SFI; and Aishe Ghosh, Joint Secretary of the SFI and former President of JNUSU, along with other leaders.
Under the BJP-led Union government, democratic rights are being drastically curtailed, and the denial of permission to protest, even at Jantar Mantar - the designated site for protest - demonstrates how intolerant this government has become.
The CPI(M) congratulates the youth, students, and the large number of people who have braved all the restrictions and come out in protest. The movement to save democracy, and for the neutrality of State institutions such as the ECI will continue. The Party appeals people to strengthen this ongoing struggle by joining in large numbers.
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) demands the immediate ouster of CEC, halt to the SIR and release of all the detained protesters.
Comments