Pinarayi Vijayan Accuses Modi Government of Suppressing Democracy

Thiruvananthapuram/New Delhi, Oct 10 (UNI): CPI(M) Politburo member and Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, Pinarayi Vijayan, on Saturday strongly condemned the detention of opposition leaders and protesters in New Delhi, accusing the Narendra Modi-led government of using state power to suppress dissent and evade questions over electoral integrity.

Vijayan, who was detained by Delhi Police while on his way to join a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, said that police action and repression would not weaken the determination of those fighting to protect the Constitution and the right to vote.

In a social media post, Vijayan alleged that protesters were being detained and journalists covering the agitation were also being picked up. He accused the BJP-led government of avoiding questions about the integrity of the electoral process and attempting to silence opposition voices through police action instead of addressing concerns over electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission.

He also criticised the police for detaining elected representatives and allegedly making them travel around in circles for nearly an hour to prevent them from continuing their protest. Describing the action as an attack on democratic rights, Vijayan said coercive measures would not deter those demanding accountability.

"When those in power fear the voice of the people, democracy itself is under attack," he said, asserting that the Modi government and the Sangh Parivar could not suppress people's determination to defend their constitutional rights.

Vijayan said thousands of people had gathered in the national capital to defend the Constitution and the right to vote, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He added that barricades and restrictions might block roads but could not stop the march of democracy.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan strongly condemned Vijayan's detention, describing it as arbitrary. He said the Chief Secretary and the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi had been directed to contact Delhi Police authorities and coordinate steps to secure Vijayan's immediate release.

The protest was organised over alleged concerns regarding electoral integrity and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was a central issue raised by the protesters.