Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the Delhi police of attempting to forcibly enter the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Central Committee office to arrest Students’ Federation of India leader and Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union former president Aishe Ghosh.

Taking to social media, Mr. Vijayan said the action by the Delhi police, which operates according to the Union government’s political interests, was a serious assault on democratic rights and citizens’ Constitutional rights.

Entering the party office to arrest Ms. Ghosh in the name of an old court case was a challenge to the rule of law. It can only be viewed as political retaliation for the embarassment the Union government and the Sangh Parivar suffered during the Jantar Mantar protests.

It is vain hope that the strength of the student movement in the country can be dented through false charges or threaten those who ask questions or express opposition.

“Such blatant misuse of State power reflects the BJP-led Union government’s growing intolerance of dissent. This is a moment for everyone who believes in democracy to speak out. Attempts to intimidate and criminalise dissent must be resisted, and the constitutional right to protest must be defended,” Mr. Vijayan wrote.