Former CM Pinarayi Vijayan of Kerala has said that the attempted arrest of student Aisha Ghosh is an attack on democratic rights

CPI(M) members took out a rally from the AKG Center at Martyrs Square in Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday to protest the Delhi Police’s attempt to arrest student Aisha Ghosh for entering the party headquarters in Delhi without permission. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan accused the Delhi Police of trying to forcefully enter the office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) to arrest Indian Students Federation President and former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union President Aishe Ghosh.

Mr. Vijayan said on social media that the action of the Delhi Police, which is acting in line with the political interests of the Union Government, was a serious attack on the democratic and constitutional rights of the citizens.

Entering the party office to arrest Ms. Ghosh in the name of an old court case was a challenge to the rule of law. It can only be seen as a political revenge for the embarrassment the Union government and the Sangh Parivar suffered during the Jantar Mantar protests.

It is a futile hope that the strength of the student movement in the country can be undermined by false accusations or threats to those who raise questions or express opposition.

“Such blatant misuse of state power reflects the growing intolerance of dissent by the BJP-led Union government. This is the moment for everyone who believes in democracy to speak out. Attempts to intimidate and criminalize dissent must be resisted and the constitutional right to protest must be defended,” Vijayan wrote.

Published – 28 Jul 2026 22:29 IST