PM Modi in Bengaluru: NSUI members allegedly detained by police, pre-empting protests

Bengaluru: Amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bengaluru, members of the National Students' Union of India, the student wing of the Congress party, were allegedly detained by the police.

Basavaraju AP, General Secretary, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee and Incharge of Karnataka state NSUI, alleged that the office bearers were kept under house arrest on the suspicion that they would protest "against the misuse of the Election Commission of India".

"This is unacceptable in a democracy. The right to peaceful protest is guaranteed by our Constitution, and no government or police force has the authority to preemptively silence voices of dissent," he wrote on X on Sunday.

"Karnataka State Police & BENGALURU CITY POLICE @CPBlr, I urge you to immediately release our NSUI leaders and ensure that our democratic rights are protected. Suppressing students and youth will not silence the truth. We will continue to stand up for justice and for our Constitution," he added.

Modi is in the city to kick-start a few programmes, including inaugurating Namma Metro' Yellow Line.

Senior police officers weren't immediately available for comment.