Trinamool Congress MPs, including Mahua Moitra and Derek O’Brien detained by Delhi Police during a protest outside Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s office, opposing Enforcement Directorate raids in West Bengal amid election row.
The demonstration was against recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the Kolkata office of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), a political consultancy associated with the TMC’s election strategy.
In a Business Standard report, police officials said, the protestors were removed from the area and taken to Parliament Street Police Station as the demonstration was being held without prior permission in a high-security zone.
The MPs were later released. The TMC, however, described the detentions as “undemocratic” and accused the Centre of attempting to suppress opposition voices through police action.
Protest Against ED Raids on I-PAC
The protest was organised in response to ED raids conducted earlier this week at I-PAC’s Kolkata office. I-PAC has played a strategic role in several election campaigns across the country and has been closely associated with the TMC’s political planning in West Bengal.
While the ED has not publicly detailed the findings of the raids, the agency stated that the action was part of an ongoing investigation and was carried out in accordance with legal procedures.
TMC leaders have strongly contested this claim, alleging that the raids are politically motivated. Speaking to reporters, Mahua Moitra said the Centre was “using central agencies as tools to intimidate the opposition,” particularly as elections draw closer.
Derek O’Brien echoed this sentiment, stating that peaceful protest is a democratic right and that detaining elected representatives sends a “dangerous message” about the shrinking space for dissent.
Delhi Police Responds
Delhi Police officials defended their actions, stating that the protest did not have the necessary permissions and was held near a sensitive government location.
“The MPs were detained to prevent any law-and-order situation. They were taken to Parliament Street Police Station and released shortly thereafter,” a police official said.
The police emphasised that the detentions were preventive in nature and not punitive. However, opposition leaders questioned why similar actions are not taken against ruling party protests, alleging selective enforcement of rules.
Political Reactions and Opposition Unity
The incident triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties beyond the TMC. Several leaders criticised the detentions, calling them an example of the Centre’s increasingly confrontational approach towards political opponents.
Some opposition MPs described the episode as part of a broader pattern where investigative agencies and law enforcement are allegedly used to pressure rival parties.
Within the TMC, the protest and subsequent detentions were framed as a sign of the party’s resistance against what it calls “political vendetta.”
Party sources said the leadership would continue to raise the issue both inside and outside Parliament, and that similar protests could be organised in the coming days.
Background: Centre vs TMC
The confrontation between the BJP-led Centre and the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in West Bengal has been marked by frequent clashes over federalism, governance, and the role of central agencies.
Over the past few years, several TMC leaders and individuals linked to the party have faced investigations by agencies such as the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The BJP has consistently denied allegations of political misuse of agencies, maintaining that these bodies act independently and follow due process. Union government representatives have argued that no individual or organisation is above the law, regardless of political affiliation.
However, the timing of investigations-often coinciding with elections-has fuelled opposition accusations of selective targeting.
West Bengal Elections Loom Large
The latest incident comes at a politically sensitive moment, with West Bengal Assembly elections on the horizon. The state has witnessed intense political competition between the TMC and the BJP, often accompanied by heated rhetoric and allegations from both sides.
Political analysts suggest that actions perceived as pressure tactics could further polarise the electorate.
For the TMC, the ED raids and the Delhi protest have become rallying points to mobilise supporters and reinforce its narrative of standing up to the Centre.
For the BJP, the focus remains on projecting institutional accountability and questioning the TMC’s governance record in the state.
Democratic Rights and the Space for Protest
Civil society voices have also weighed in on the incident, underlining the importance of safeguarding the right to peaceful protest. While acknowledging the need for law enforcement to maintain public order, several commentators have stressed that detaining elected representatives should remain a measure of last resort.
Legal experts point out that protests near high-security zones are regulated, but they also emphasise that transparency in police action is essential to avoid perceptions of bias.
The balance between security concerns and democratic freedoms, they argue, becomes especially delicate during election periods.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At the heart of this episode lies a deeper question about the health of India’s democratic institutions. Protest, disagreement, and scrutiny of power are not disruptions to democracy-they are its very foundation.
While investigative agencies must be free to function without interference, they must also inspire public confidence by acting transparently and consistently, without any perception of political bias.
Equally, political parties have a responsibility to exercise their right to protest peacefully and within constitutional boundaries.
As elections approach and political temperatures rise, restraint, dialogue, and empathy become more crucial than confrontation.
