K. Balakrishnan, State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), a coalition partner of the DMK, has criticized the Tamil Nadu police for what he described as their overreach in making preventive arrests.In a statement, Balakrishnan highlighted that protests, demonstrations, and political gatherings are fundamental rights granted by the Constitution in a democratic society. However, he alleged that in Tamil Nadu, police have been delaying approvals for protests, marches, and street meetings, thereby restricting these rights.
He cited an incident in Krishnagiri district’s Periya Thallapadi village, where individuals demanding land ownership (patta) were arrested for participating in a peaceful demonstration. Balakrishnan called such actions unacceptable and warned that such police behavior could tarnish the positive image of the Tamil Nadu government.
He urged the police to act within the bounds of the law and refrain from unnecessary preventive arrests, emphasizing that this approach is detrimental to democracy and governance.