The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly protests the raids conducted by police authorities on the homes of various civil rights and human rights activists and Left intellectuals.
These raids in Mumbai, Delhi, Ranchi, Goa and Hyderabad have led to the arrests of some of the activists like Sudha Bharadwaj, Varavara Rao and Gautam Navlakha. The police have also taken away laptops, mobiles and other personal papers from the homes of those raided.
Ever since the Bhima Koregoan violence against Dalits, the Maharashtra Police along with central agencies have been targeting dalit rights activists and lawyers who have been taking up their cases. False charges have been levelled and the draconian Unlawful Activities Prevention Act invoked.
These constitute a brazen attack on democratic rights and civil liberties. The Polit Bureau demands the withdrawal of the cases against these activists and their immediate release.