The Congress’s powerful leader K.C. Venugopal has launched a sharp attack on the central government at home demanding explanations as to why the Union Home Minister Amit Shah is not to be seen in his presence amid reports of a crackdown on protesters.
Holding up the slogan “Where is Amit Shah hiding?” Venugopal said the Union government should also take responsibility for the actions taken by police and take the lead in curbing the protests.
The remarks came at a politically charged time, with opposition parties alleging the Centre reacted to protests with violence and not dialogue. The Congress has claimed the protesters exercising their democratic right to protest were attacked by the police, and opposition leaders and civil society groups have also voiced their complaints.
Venugopal asked why the Union Home Minister had not yet officially responded to the allegations about the way the government handled the protests. The Home Ministry, as the law and order of the capital, had to answer the people on what decisions it made during the demonstrations, he said.
"Where is Amit Shah hiding?” Venugopal said, saying the government could not keep silent while there were questions of the treatment of protesters. He maintained that democratic governments should respond to dissent by discussion and transparency rather than force.
The Congress leader also accused the Centre of trying to suppress the voices of citizens rather than addressing the concerns that had led people to gather and protest. “Peaceful protests are very much a part of democracy and should be protected within the Constitution,” he said.
The demonstrations were attended by people from various groups and police presence was seen on a higher scale in many areas. The government acted to control public movement and order in public and opposition leaders said the actions were an unnecessary assault on peaceful protesters.
The Centre and law enforcement agencies have maintained that security measures are based on assessments of the situation and the purpose is to maintain public order and to prevent disruption. Police have often stated that their actions during protests are guided by legal provisions and are aimed at ensuring the safety of both demonstrators and the general public.
Venugopal, however, said the government should give a proper account of the events: why the police took on such measures, and what was a reason for it. He said accountability from those in power needed to be held to account if there was to be public trust in democratic institutions and to ensure the government maintained it.
The political spat has reignited the existing tension between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and opposition parties who have repeatedly accused the Centre of curbing democratic freedoms. But the government has repeatedly denied attacks on constitutional rights and public safety and law and order.
Political analysts say the controversy could further fuel debates over the balance between maintaining public order and protecting citizens' right to peaceful assembly. The issue is also expected to keep the political discourse going on, with opposition parties likely to continue pressing the government for answers.
Venugopal’s comments have drawn criticism from the top political leaders in India. Congress leaders in his leadership backed up his call for greater accountability and transparency but ruling powers in government backed his views that security agencies should be allowed to execute their role without political interference.
The incident has once again brought back the importance of protests in the democratic society and of governments in managing public demonstrations. The constitutional experts have often stressed that citizens have the right to peaceful protest but that the state also has the right to keep order (law and order) and that the balance of individual rights and public safety has to be made.
Opposition parties should ask for further clarification from the government, the Centre will defend its actions as being within the legal and administrative boundaries. If there is a wider parliamentary debate or political argument on it, it will already be a significant flashpoint in the current battle between the government and opposition.
