Stalin Slams Centre Over Delhi Protests, Offers Legal Aid to Detained Activists

DMK president M K Stalin on Wednesday condemned the Centre’s action against youth activists detained during protests in Delhi demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and announced that his party would provide them with legal assistance.

In a post on X, Stalin criticised the Union government’s handling of the demonstrations and reiterated the DMK’s demand for Kumar’s removal. He said the party was prepared to extend comprehensive legal support to those detained during the protests.

The DMK chief questioned whether detaining demonstrators would prevent further protests, warning that what he described as heavy-handed measures against peaceful protesters could lead to wider public resentment.

“How many protesters can this government detain? How many young voices can the BJP silence?” Stalin asked in his post.

He further argued that the detention of more young activists could encourage ordinary citizens, including those without political affiliations, to join demonstrations.

“The more young people they jail, the more ordinary citizens, with no political affiliation, will take to the streets and show them the true power of the people!” he said.

Extending political solidarity to the detained activists, Stalin specifically named Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Dass, assuring them of the DMK’s support. He said the party was ready to provide legal representation and assistance to help secure their release.

The protests in Delhi have centred on demands for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Stalin’s remarks placed the DMK among the political voices criticising the Centre’s response to the demonstrations.

The party’s offer of legal aid signals its willingness to support the detained activists as the political dispute over the protests and the demand for the CEC’s removal continues.

Stalin’s statement also underscored the DMK’s criticism of the use of detention against demonstrators, with the party chief arguing that such action could broaden public participation in the protests rather than suppress dissent.