ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Tuesday strongly condemned the detention of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several senior Congress leaders, terming the action “illegal, arbitrary and undemocratic” and alleging that it amounted to a direct assault on democracy and constitutional values.
In a statement issued by APCC General Secretary-cum-Spokesperson Kon Jirjo Jotham, the party alleged that the BJP-led Union Government had resorted to intimidation, arbitrary detention and misuse of law enforcement agencies to suppress peaceful democratic dissent instead of engaging in dialogue over issues concerning students and the nation. It claimed that the detention of opposition leaders reflected an “authoritarian and dictatorial mindset” and demonstrated intolerance towards democratic protests and dissent.
The APCC further alleged that the government was attempting to silence those demanding accountability over repeated examination irregularities instead of addressing the concerns of students. It maintained that arrests and police action could not conceal administrative failures or suppress the voice of the people.
Expressing solidarity with Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, detained Congress leaders, student organisations and party workers, the APCC demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained, resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged examination irregularities, a comprehensive discussion in Parliament on examination-related issues and institutional accountability, withdrawal of all FIRs and criminal cases registered against students in connection with the Delhi protest, and an end to the alleged misuse of police and investigative agencies against opposition parties and democratic voices.
The APCC also appealed to democratic forces, civil society organisations, student bodies and citizens to unite in defence of the Constitution and democratic freedoms. Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful and constitutional methods of protest, the party said it would continue raising issues concerning the country’s youth and defending democratic values.
Meanwhile, the APCC staged a protest near the Raj Bhavan area in Itanagar on Tuesday evening against the detention of the Leader of Opposition during the protest in New Delhi.
The demonstration was led by APCC President and former minister Bosiram Siram and witnessed the participation of Congress leaders and party workers.
The protesters condemned the detention, expressed solidarity with the detained leaders, demanded their immediate release and raised slogans against the action taken by the authorities in New Delhi.
