Congress cries foul over arrest of Jignesh Mevani, slams BJP

New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday slammed the ruling BJP over the arrest of Independent MLA from Gujarat's Vadgam Assembly constituency and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani by the Assam police, accusing it misuse of "state machinery" and termed it "unconstitutional".

"Modi ji, you can try to crush 'dissent' by abusing the state machinery. But you can never imprison the truth," Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet with the hashtag 'Daro Mat (Don't be scared)' and 'Satyameva Jayate'.

Modi ji, you can try to crush dissent by abusing the state machinery.

But you can never imprison the truth.#DaroMat #SatyamevaJayate pic.twitter.com/Qw4wVhLclH

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 21, 2022

Attacking the ruling dispensation, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said, "Such an arrest of a people's representative not only betrays their fear of criticism but also attacks the foundations of our democracy."

The unlawful & unconstitutional arrest of Jignesh Mevani at midnight by Assam Police is the latest proof of authoritarianism under BJP.

Such an arrest of a people's representative not only betrays their fear of criticism but also attacks the foundations of our democracy.

— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) April 21, 2022

"The unlawful and unconstitutional arrest of Jignesh Mevani at midnight by Assam police is the latest proof of authoritarianism under BJP," he wrote in a social media post.

Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar in a tweet late last night quoting Mevani's team said, "Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani arrested by Assam police from Palanpur circuit House. Police yet to share the copy of the FIR with us, we have been informed about some case filed against him in Assam and is likely to be deported to Assam tonight."

Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani arrested by Assam police from Palanpur circuit House. Police yet to share the copy of the FIR with us, we have been informed about some case filed against him in Assam and is likely to be deported to Assam tonight.

-Team Jignesh Mevani pic.twitter.com/Bn0cbX1a9I

— Kanhaiya Kumar (@kanhaiyakumar) April 20, 2022

According to reports, Mevani was arrested by Assam police from Gujarat's Palanpur after a complaint was registered the MLA at Kokrajhar police station in Assam under various sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) over his alleged tweet criticising the Prime Minister. (UNI)