Abhishek Banerjee, a Member of Parliament for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has launched a sharp critique against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following the detention of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and several other TMC officials. He asserted that the arrest of Gyanesh Kumar exemplifies the government’s fear of accountability and claimed that even the most influential BJP leaders will ultimately face repercussions for their actions.

Banerjee questioned the BJP’s legitimacy, asking, “If this government was elected by the people, why is it so afraid of the common man’s protest?” He highlighted the shutdown of metro stations, railway stations, and airports, which he alleged was in direct defiance of directives issued by the Supreme Court. He condemned the government’s actions as overwhelmingly oppressive.

In his address to reporters, Banerjee painted a stark picture of the current political climate, comparing it unfavourably to historical totalitarian regimes. He stated, “This surpasses even the era of Adolf Hitler,” referring to the apparent suppression of dissent and the right to protest. Banerjee expressed concerns that ordinary citizens, as well as those politically unaffiliated, were being unjustly targeted.

Police Actions in Central Delhi Draw Criticism

The remarks from Banerjee followed an incident where the Delhi Police detained a group of TMC parliamentarians and leaders who were protesting in central Delhi. Footage from the scene depicted security personnel escorting the detained individuals into police vehicles. The protests were centred around allegations of vote theft in West Bengal.

The TMC responded to the detentions with severe criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government, labelling the police operations as a manifestation of a “Super Emergency.” They described the day as a “dark day for democracy,” asserting that it illustrated a stark violation of constitutional rights.

The party’s official handle on X shared their perspective, articulating disbelief over the police actions taken against their leaders. They questioned the rationale behind preventing peaceful protests and stated that the police forbade slogans and signs. This led to assertions that the actions taken by law enforcement were not just unlawful but also significantly undermined democratic values.

Widespread Detentions Raise Alarm

Reports indicate that approximately 2,500 individuals were detained by the Delhi Police during the protests, comprising TMC activists, supporters, and innocent bystanders. Banerjee highlighted instances where even those merely observing the protests were apprehended. This broad crackdown on citizen activities prompted further outrage from TMC members.

Mamata Banerjee and five other Members of Parliament were reported to have been sitting peacefully at a bus stop, engaging in a demonstration against the alleged electoral misconduct before being forcibly removed by the police. Their detention has sparked conversations about the erosion of democratic practices in India.

The overall sentiment among TMC members is that such actions by the authorities represent not just an attack on their party but on democracy itself. The party continues to advocate for the right to assemble and express dissent, citing that these rights are fundamental to the nation’s democratic framework.

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