Leaders from various opposition parties within the INDIA bloc gathered at Azad Maidan to protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The atmosphere was charged as MLAs and leaders representing INC, AAP, GFP, NCP, and others joined hands to denounce what they perceive as an unjust move by the government.
The scene at Azad Maidan was tense, with a significant deployment of police personnel. After intense negotiations and heated discussions between the opposition leaders and law enforcement, protesters were finally permitted to enter the iconic ground to voice their dissent.
Addressing the press, GPCC President Amit Patkar minced no words in expressing the collective outrage, stating, "Today, we, the opposition parties united as the INDIA bloc, condemn the BJP's actions. One thing is clear today that government machinery is above the Election Commission. This arrest amidst the enforcement of the election code of conduct raises serious questions about the democratic process. It feels like the power of Ravana is being unleashed against Rama, the power of Kauravas against Pandavas, and the power of Ghodse against the legacy of Gandhi."
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas echoed these sentiments, highlighting that Kejriwal's arrest is just one instance among many, shedding light on the underlying mindset of the BJP. "It's not just about one case; it's about the ideology driving these actions. We must remind ourselves to safeguard our democracy and repair its fabric," Viegas emphasised.
The leaders emphasised the significance of Azad Maidan, symbolising freedom and the liberation of Goa. However, they lamented that even here, opposition voices were initially suppressed by bureaucratic hurdles.
"We have all come here to Azad Maidan to peacefully protest the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal and support him. But as you have witnessed the place which is marked as a place of protest the BJP govt. used the police force to show ‘Gundagiri’. This is going on through India, the govt. has used the Enforcement Directorate (ED), The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to murder democracy," said Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao.
Alemao further alleged a pattern of government suppression whenever the opposition attempts to expose its actions. "For the first time in Delhi and Jharkhand, sitting Chief ministers have been arrested,” he added, emphasising that this was not merely the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal but an attack on the fundamental rights of every individual.
He accused the government of employing various tactics to silence dissent, stating, "The govt. first tries to buy out the opposition; if that is not possible, then the ED, CBI etc are sent if you resist the govt."
Alemao vowed to continue the fight against what he described as dictatorship, emphasising that this was not the era of "Ram Raj" but rather "Raavan Raj".
Echoing similar sentiments, AAP Goa Chief Amit Palekar remarked, "Today the elected leaders were stopped from addressing the press. The BJP govt. is scared. This protest was a show of solidarity to Arvind Kejriwal and to tell people about his illegal arrest by the ED."
They accused the BJP of attempting to stifle dissent and avoid scrutiny, citing Kejriwal's arrest as a diversion from more significant issues like electoral bond scams.
