Political Tensions Bold Rise as CPI(M) Campaign in Bengaluru Faces Police Crackdown: 2 Arrests, 1 Movement

Tension gripped parts of Bengaluru on Sunday after two activists from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) were arrested during a local campaign event. The incident, which unfolded in the northern part of the city, has sparked outrage among party members and civil rights groups, who allege that the police action was politically motivated. The activists, identified as long-time CPI(M) volunteers, were taken into custody while distributing pamphlets and addressing residents on local civic issues.

The Bengaluru police have arrested two activists affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) during a public campaign drive in the city, leading to tension among local party cadres. The arrests were made late Saturday evening as the activists were distributing pamphlets and engaging residents in political discussions near Majestic Circle. Police cited violation of election norms as the reason for the detention, while the CPI(M) claimed the arrests were politically motivated and part of an attempt to stifle dissent. The activists were taken to the nearby police station for questioning and later released on bail.

CPI(M) Condemns Arrests, Calls It Suppression of Rights

Party leaders condemned the action, stating that the arrests reflected growing intolerance toward peaceful political activity. CPI(M) Bengaluru District Secretary Ramesh Babu accused the authorities of trying to intimidate their workers. He said the activists were engaged in an awareness campaign about unemployment, price rise, and social justice when they were detained without prior warning. The party has called for a protest outside the police commissioner’s office, demanding an apology and assurance that such incidents will not recur.

CPI(M) members alleged that the police disrupted their lawful campaign despite prior intimation to the authorities. “We had obtained permission to conduct the campaign, yet the officers acted as if we were breaking the law,” said a senior party functionary. The activists were reportedly distributing leaflets urging citizens to support workers’ rights and oppose corporate exploitation. Party leaders maintain that such actions fall within the constitutional right to free expression and peaceful assembly, protected under democratic norms.

Following the arrests, several trade union groups expressed solidarity with the detained activists. Leaders from various labour unions affiliated with the CPI(M) gathered at Freedom Park, demanding transparency and accountability from the police. They criticized what they described as an increasing pattern of targeting grassroots campaigns. “This is not just about two arrests; it’s about the right of citizens to raise their voice without fear,” said one trade union leader, emphasizing that democratic participation should not be criminalized.

The city police defended their actions, stating that the activists violated specific sections of the Karnataka Police Act concerning public assembly and distribution of pamphlets without clearance in sensitive zones. A senior police official clarified that the arrests were procedural and aimed at maintaining public order, not political suppression. He further mentioned that the activists were released after routine verification. “We are committed to ensuring law and order, and no political bias is involved in this case,” he asserted.

The incident has reignited debate about the shrinking space for political discourse in public places. Civil society groups and rights activists have called for clear guidelines to prevent misuse of law during peaceful campaigns. Legal experts pointed out that while authorities have the right to regulate gatherings for safety, arbitrary arrests may amount to a violation of civil liberties. They urged the state government to uphold democratic principles and allow non-violent political expression without interference.

Opposition Parties Join in Criticism

Opposition leaders from various parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party and the Janata Dal (Secular), also criticized the arrests. They claimed that the government was using the police to silence criticism and control street-level political activities. “If campaigners are detained for distributing pamphlets, then what message are we sending to the youth who wish to engage politically?” asked a JD(S) spokesperson. The opposition has called for an inquiry into the incident and urged the Home Minister to issue clear instructions to prevent such occurrences.

Public reaction to the arrests has been mixed. While some residents felt the police were simply following procedure to maintain order, others viewed the incident as an excessive display of authority. Social media platforms saw a surge of debate, with hashtags supporting the activists trending across local forums. Many netizens posted messages emphasizing the need to protect democratic freedoms, while others cautioned against allowing political groups to operate unchecked in congested urban zones.

CPI(M) announced plans to stage a statewide demonstration demanding justice for the detained members and protection of citizens’ democratic rights. The party leadership said it would take up the issue with the State Election Commission and the Human Rights Commission. “We will continue to campaign fearlessly. No amount of pressure will silence us,” stated the CPI(M) state secretary. The party also demanded that police officers involved in the arrests be reprimanded for what they called an unnecessary show of force.

As the controversy grows, political analysts note that such incidents could intensify discussions about freedom of political expression in Karnataka. With elections nearing in several local bodies, parties across the spectrum are increasingly active on the streets, heightening friction between campaigners and authorities. The CPI(M) case may set a precedent for how law enforcement balances public order with citizens’ right to mobilize peacefully. The government is yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

Police officials, however, maintain that the arrests were made due to a violation of public order norms. They claimed that the activists were holding an unauthorised gathering that led to traffic disruption and public inconvenience. The CPI(M) has strongly refuted these claims, saying that their campaign was peaceful and conducted with prior intimation to the authorities. The arrests, they allege, are part of a growing pattern of suppression against left-leaning political voices in the city. The incident has reignited debate about freedom of political expression in Karnataka’s capital.

Party leaders immediately rushed to the police station demanding the activists’ release. They argued that the arrests violate constitutional rights of peaceful assembly and speech. “Our volunteers were simply engaging citizens about issues like unemployment, price rise, and women’s safety,” said a CPI(M) spokesperson. “If talking about public welfare has become a crime, then democracy itself is under threat.” The party has called for a citywide protest demanding accountability and a formal explanation from the police department.

Clash Between Activism and Policing

Eyewitnesses at the site described a tense atmosphere as police personnel arrived midway through the campaign, instructing the group to disperse. When the activists refused, insisting on their right to hold a public meeting, an altercation reportedly broke out. Videos circulating on social media show police escorting two individuals into a van as fellow campaigners chant slogans demanding their release. The footage has fueled widespread criticism online, with many Bengaluru residents expressing concern over what they see as shrinking democratic space in urban areas.

Legal experts have noted that the use of public order provisions to curb peaceful demonstrations has become a recurring issue. According to them, while police have the authority to manage gatherings, detentions should only occur when there is a tangible threat to security. “The distinction between lawful dissent and unlawful assembly must be respected,” said a senior advocate from the Karnataka High Court. “Otherwise, it risks eroding public faith in law enforcement institutions.” The CPI(M) is now consulting legal counsel to explore the possibility of filing a complaint against the officers involved.

The incident also highlights a larger struggle between grassroots activism and administrative control in Bengaluru’s civic landscape. CPI(M) cadres have been increasingly vocal about local infrastructure problems, including poor waste management, rising rent, and transport costs. Their street campaigns, often targeting working-class neighborhoods, aim to mobilize citizens around issues that mainstream politics sometimes overlooks. Party members claim that such activism threatens entrenched interests, leading to administrative pushback. The arrests, they say, are a deliberate attempt to discourage direct public engagement.

Political Reactions and Public Backlash

Following the arrests, opposition parties across the spectrum expressed solidarity with the CPI(M) activists, condemning what they described as “an alarming misuse of state power.” Leaders from several social movements also joined the chorus of criticism, stating that dissent cannot be criminalised in a democratic society. The Congress party, while not directly allied with the CPI(M), urged the government to uphold constitutional freedoms and ensure that political differences are not met with police action. “When peaceful voices are silenced, the state loses credibility,” remarked a senior Congress MLA from Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Police Commissioner defended the department’s actions, stating that no political bias was involved. “The gathering violated permission norms and obstructed public movement,” he said. “Our officers acted strictly according to the law.” The Commissioner added that the detained activists were released later in the day after completing formalities, and that further inquiry would determine whether a case needs to be registered. However, CPI(M) leaders maintain that the arrests were unnecessary and carried out in an intimidating manner.

Civil society groups have called for an independent review of the incident. Members of human rights organisations argue that even brief detentions send a chilling message to ordinary citizens who wish to participate in political activity. “It normalises fear,” said one activist associated with a Bengaluru rights forum. “If the state begins to treat political campaigns as law-and-order problems, civic engagement will wither.” Many of these groups are now preparing to submit memorandums to the Chief Minister and the Home Department seeking guidelines to protect peaceful assemblies.

Political analysts believe the episode reflects growing tension within Karnataka’s political ecosystem ahead of upcoming local body elections. With rising competition between regional and national parties, independent movements and smaller parties often face scrutiny. “Bengaluru’s civic politics is increasingly polarised,” said a political scientist from Bangalore University. “Incidents like these suggest that administrative neutrality is becoming harder to sustain, especially when campaigns challenge urban governance narratives.”

Within the CPI(M), the arrests have become a rallying point for renewed mobilisation. The party has announced plans for a statewide awareness campaign titled “Our Rights, Our Streets,” aimed at reclaiming public spaces for dialogue and activism. Senior leaders have framed the incident as symbolic of broader struggles across India, where they claim civil liberties are being curtailed under the guise of maintaining order. Rallies are expected to be held across district headquarters in the coming weeks to highlight the issue.

As public debate intensifies, the focus has shifted to the state government’s response. The Home Department has sought a preliminary report from the Bengaluru Police Commissioner detailing the circumstances of the arrests. The Chief Minister’s office, too, is monitoring the situation closely amid rising criticism from various quarters. The outcome of the inquiry could influence how future political campaigns are regulated in urban Karnataka.

The controversy has reignited conversations about citizens’ right to dissent — a cornerstone of democracy often tested in moments like these. For the CPI(M), the arrests are both a challenge and an opportunity: a moment to reaffirm its ideological commitment to public participation and workers’ rights. For Bengaluru’s residents, it is a reminder that civic activism remains an essential part of the city’s democratic character — one that must be defended even when it becomes inconvenient for those in power.

As the dust settles, what remains is a lingering question — how far can the state go in policing public speech before it risks silencing the very spirit of democracy? The answer, many say, will depend not just on government policy or legal rulings, but on whether citizens continue to stand up for their right to speak, assemble, and question — the rights that make Bengaluru not just a tech capital, but a living, breathing democracy.