CPI(M) stages protests after party leaders detained in Delhi

CPI(M)’s Keralam State Secretariat condemned the detention of party leaders in Delhi on October 10 before a planned march to Jantar Mantar. The party held demonstrations in the state and announced further protests demanding Election Commission chief Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

Those detained included former state chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, parliamentarian John Brittas and former minister K.N. Balagopal. Brittas said they were driven around the city in a police vehicle without being told why they were held.

He also accused officers of treating Vijayan disrespectfully despite his age. Brittas presented those complaints alongside videos of police actions posted by the party.

The secretariat described the suppression of protests as fascist and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of protecting the election chief. It linked the restrictions to efforts to stop opposition to the electoral-roll revision.

CPI(M) claimed that more than 50,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed and 57 Metro stations closed. Those estimates came from the party. It also reported internet shutdowns and trains being stopped before reaching Delhi, including services from Keralam.

The party condemned CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke’s detention after his aircraft landed and said the restrictions infringed freedom of movement and expression. It cited its general secretary’s approach to the Supreme Court and the court’s objections to prohibitions.

The secretariat also alleged that more than 13 crore voters had been removed from electoral rolls and accused the election chief of acting for the RSS and BJP. These are CPI(M)’s allegations rather than established findings of wrongdoing. The party intends to continue its campaign for Kumar’s resignation.