Bhopal police have expressed regret and assured a thorough investigation into the arbitrary detention of gas victims’ leader Balkrishna Namdeo and several social workers during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the city on May 31. The incident came to light following an intervention by the Communist Party of India (CPI).
Madhya Pradesh State Co-Secretary of CPI, Shailendra Shaili, accompanied Namdeo to meet Bhopal Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Awadhesh Goswami to discuss the matter. They informed the DCP that Namdeo and other activists were detained from their homes without valid reasons and kept at Aishbagh Police Station until 2 pm on the day of the Prime Minister’s event.
Notably, Namdeo had received an official invitation from the district administration to attend the Prime Minister’s program, making the detention all the more inexplicable. Upon hearing the facts, DCP Goswami expressed regret, issued an apology, and assured that a full inquiry would be launched, with necessary action taken against the responsible officers.
The CPI condemned the misuse of police powers and demanded that the State Government and Police cease such repressive actions against leaders of political parties and social organizations during high-profile visits by the President, Prime Minister, or Central Ministers. The party warned that suppressing democratic voices through detention undermines civil rights and freedom of expression, which are fundamental to a healthy democracy.