CPI(M) Politburo Condemns Police Crackdown on Peaceful Protesters in Delhi

New Delhi: The CPI(M) Politburo has condemned what it described as a brutal police crackdown on people who staged peaceful protests in various parts of Delhi. The protests demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the withdrawal of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which the party said had led to widespread denial of voting rights, and the implementation of other electoral reforms.

Despite internet disconnections, metro station closures, a complete halt to public transport and the imposition of curfew, people took to the streets to protest, overcoming the restrictions and repressive measures, the party said.

Police arrested several prominent leaders who were protesting at Jantar Mantar, including CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby, Politburo member and Kerala Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan, senior leader Brinda Karat, Politburo members M V Govindan and A V Vijayaraghavan, and Central Committee members K K Shailaja, P K Sreemathy, Thomas Isaac, K N Balagopal, P Rajeev and John Brittas.

Another group of leaders attempted to march from Harkishan Singh Surjeet Bhavan on Indrajit Gupta Road. B V Raghavulu, Arun Kumar, Viju Krishnan, Mariam Dhawale and Central Committee members A R Sindhu and Lokanathan were arrested near Minto Road. Senior leader Manik Sarkar was also among those arrested.

The party said the nationwide public anger had clearly left the Narendra Modi government rattled. However, it added that such repressive measures would not frighten people into abandoning their protests.

Despite heavy police deployment and stringent surveillance outside CPI(M) offices in Delhi, people continued to demonstrate, the party said. It accused the BJP government of exposing its complete failure in democratic governance through what it described as an excessive eagerness to display its power and strength.