New Delhi, October 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Leaders of the INDIA Bloc on Saturday condemned the detention of protesters opposing the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the police action undermined democratic principles and restricted citizens’ right to express dissent.
Opposition leaders criticised the detention of protesters and activists in the national capital, arguing that peaceful demonstrations were an essential part of democracy and that authorities should not use restrictions to silence those questioning the government or constitutional institutions.
The criticism followed the detention of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke from Connaught Place on Friday, ahead of his proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march in Delhi. He was subsequently placed under preventive arrest.
All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora was also detained on Friday and later released with certain conditions.
Reacting to the developments, Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha member Awadhesh Prasad told IANS that opposing injustice had always been central to socialist politics.
“It has always been the nature of us socialists to stand against injustice. Wherever injustice occurs, the Samajwadi Party has consistently raised its voice against it,” Prasad said.
Referring to restrictions on protests and demonstrations, he said the situation appeared similar to an undeclared Emergency, arguing that such measures affected the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.
CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member V. Sivadasan also criticised the police action, alleging that students, young people and workers had been detained for prolonged periods without being adequately informed of the reasons.
Sivadasan claimed that women, including female students and members of different political parties, had been kept at police stations for hours. He alleged that the detentions were carried out following directions from the Union Home Ministry.
Referring to the detentions of Dipke and Bora, Sivadasan also claimed that hundreds of students had been arrested or detained during the demonstrations.
He alleged that some protesters had been manhandled and said such actions were inconsistent with democratic principles and human rights. “Our fight will continue,” he said.
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput also criticised the BJP over the detention of participants in the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march, drawing a comparison between the police action and the treatment of freedom fighters under British rule.
Rajput accused the BJP of acting against democratic and public interests and questioned the detention of people who had participated in a march involving the national flag.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also questioned the detentions, arguing that citizens had the right to protest and express disagreement with the government.
“Detaining someone for hoisting the Tricolour is not right,” Chaturvedi told IANS, adding that the right to dissent was not limited to the Opposition but belonged to everyone.
She also criticised the de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, arguing that the restrictions on demonstrations and the detentions raised concerns about the state of democracy.
The INDIA Bloc leaders’ remarks came amid continuing protests against the ECI over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The allegations and criticism were made by Opposition leaders, while the police action and restrictions on demonstrations have become a focus of the ongoing political dispute.
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