States » SouthPosted at: Oct 10 2026 5:41PM


Pinarayi Vijayan accuses Modi Govt of suppressing democracy

New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, 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 government of using state power to suppress dissent and evade questions on electoral integrity.
Vijayan, who was detained by Delhi Police while proceeding to join the protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, said neither police action nor repression could weaken the resolve of those fighting to protect the Constitution and the right to vote.
In a social media post, he alleged that protesters were being detained and journalists covering the agitation were also being picked up, even as the government avoided answering questions about the integrity of the electoral process.
He accused the BJP-led government of attempting to silence opposition voices through police action rather than addressing concerns raised over the electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission.
Vijayan also criticised the police for detaining elected representatives and allegedly driving them around in circles for an hour to prevent them from continuing their protest.
He described the action as an attack on democratic rights and said the government should understand that 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, adding that the Modi government and the Sangh Parivar could not extinguish people's determination to defend their constitutional rights through repression.
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 asserted that barricades and restrictions could block roads but could not stop the march of democracy.
Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan also 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 the necessary steps to secure Vijayan's immediate release.
The protest was organised against alleged concerns surrounding electoral integrity and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The demand for the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation formed a central part of the agitation.
UNI DS
Tags: #Pinarayi Vijayan accuses Modi Govt of suppressing democracy
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