Indian police detained dozens of opposition protesters in New Delhi on Tuesday to prevent them from marching to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence. The protesters were demanding the release of their leader, Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested last week in a bribery case.
Supporters of Kejriwal gathered at India’s Parliament House to begin their march, but were surrounded by policemen, some in riot gear. The police detained some protesters, who were chanting “Long Live Kejriwal” as they were taken away in buses. The detained individuals are expected to be released later in the day.
Protesters expressed their frustration, with one stating, “This is a dictatorship. If someone is doing good for the public of Delhi, why arrest such a person? Our voices are muzzled. The public is very angry ... If a good leader is sent to jail, then what will happen to the common public?”
Authorities have imposed a ban on the assembly of four or more people in the area that houses key government buildings. Kejriwal, a prominent politician and rival of Modi, was arrested on March 21 along with members of his Aam Aadmi Party on bribery charges related to liquor contractors.
The Aam Aadmi Party has denied the allegations, attributing them to a federal agency controlled by Modi’s government. Kejriwal’s arrest has sparked protests by his supporters, who have accused the government of targeting opposition figures ahead of the upcoming general election.
Kejriwal’s party has stated that he will continue to serve as Delhi’s chief minister while challenging the charges in court. The federal agency has labeled Kejriwal as the “kingpin and key conspirator” in the bribery case, a claim that he has vehemently denied.
Opposition parties in India have criticized the government for allegedly misusing its power to intimidate political opponents. They have pointed to a series of raids, arrests, and corruption investigations targeting key opposition figures, while some probes against former opposition leaders who joined Modi’s BJP have been dropped.
The BJP has refuted accusations of targeting the opposition, asserting that law enforcement agencies operate independently. The political tensions are escalating as the country prepares for the general election scheduled to begin on April 19.
