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Bengaluru: Two activists of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M), were arrested on Saturday while distributing pamphlets at Madiwala as part of a campaign ahead of a planned protest in December. Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the two—Suhas Adiga and Chithra Bhanu—before releasing them on bail the following day. Arrest during campaign drive According to police, Adiga and Bhanu were part of a CPI(M) team conducting a door-to-door campaign and collecting public signatures to raise awareness about various social and economic issues. Both activists are members of the CPI(M) IT Front local committee, while Adiga also serves as the general secretary of the Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union.The pamphlets were being distributed as part of the CPI(M) Karnataka State Committee’s campaign in the run-up to a December 21 protest in Bengaluru, which aims to highlight problems such as the agrarian crisis, unemployment, corruption, price rise, land acquisition, and atrocities against women and Dalits. Clash with RSS members led to police action CPI(M) State secretary K. Prakash told The Hindu that the arrests followed an altercation with members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) who opposed the campaign. “Some workers of the RSS objected to our activity, and our comrades resisted. During the argument, police intervened and made the arrests. It is our democratic right to campaign and speak about the people’s problems, especially when society is being divided by RSS and BJP’s communal policies,” he said.Prakash further criticised the Congress-led state government for restricting democratic expression. “In the FIR, the police have written that distributing pamphlets amounts to protest and that protests should be held only in Freedom Park. They have also named our activists and the RSS members together. This is unacceptable,” he added. CPI(M) questions Congress government’s approach The CPI(M) State leadership expressed disappointment with the Congress government for what it termed a “misguided approach” to democratic movements. Prakash said, “Many of the issues we are raising are caused by the BJP-led Union government. If the Congress government is equating CPI(M) with the RSS, we urge them to correct their perception and recognise who their true allies are in fighting communal politics.” National leadership condemns arrests CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby condemned the arrests, accusing the Karnataka government of adopting “undemocratic methods to suppress people’s struggles.” He said the move contradicted the Congress party’s proclaimed commitment to democracy and freedom of expression.In a statement issued by the CPI(M) central committee, the party said the arrest of Bhanu and Adiga reflected an authoritarian tendency that sought to stifle dissent. “Such actions cannot deter struggles for justice and equality,” the statement read, noting that both activists had been at the forefront of efforts to organise IT workers against long working hours and poor labour conditions. Planned protest to continue Despite the arrests, the CPI(M) has vowed to continue its campaign leading up to the December 21 protest in Bengaluru. The party said the protest will go ahead as planned and will focus on issues faced by workers, farmers, and marginalised communities.Party sources said the incident has only strengthened their resolve to mobilise greater participation. “We will not be intimidated by police actions. The Constitution guarantees us the right to campaign peacefully, and we will exercise that right,” said a local CPI(M) member. Broader implications for political space The arrests have sparked debate over the Congress government’s handling of public protests and its stance on political dissent. Civil rights activists have pointed out that requiring prior permission for such small-scale campaigns could set a restrictive precedent for grassroots movements.Political observers noted that the incident comes amid growing tension between secular parties over their strategies to counter right-wing influence in the state. With the CPI(M) now openly criticising the Congress, the episode may also test opposition unity ahead of the 2025 local body elections.
