Two CPI(M) activists arrested during campaign in Bengaluru

Two CPI(M) activists who were distributing pamphlets in Madiwala in Bengaluru as part of a party campaign were arrested by the police on Saturday (October 25) evening.

An FIR was filed against activists Suhas Adiga and Chithra Bhanu, who were released on bail on Sunday (October 26, 2025). Both are members of the CPI(M) IT Front local committee, and Mr. Adiga is the General Secretary of Karnataka State IT/ITeS Employees Union (KITU). 

CPI(M) Karnataka state committee has planned a protest on December 21 in Bengaluru to highlight issues such as agricultural crisis, land acquisition issues, unemployment, corruption, price rise, atrocities against women and Dalits among others. Ms. Bhanu and Mr. Adiga were part of a group distributing pamphlets door to door and collecting signatures as part of the campaign ahead of the protest.  

“Some RSS workers opposed the campaign, and our comrades resisted. During the argument, the police intervened and made the arrests. It is our democratic right to campaign and tell the people about problems and the ones who are responsible for that, particularly in the context of the growing communal division in society because of RSS and BJP’s policies,” said K. Prakash, Karnataka CPI(M) State Secretary, while speaking to The Hindu. 

A file photo of Chithra Bhanu.
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Adding that the party will continue with the campaign, he questioned the Congress government’s stance on democratic processes.

“In the FIR, not only have they mentioned that the distribution of pamphlets amounts to protest and protests should be held only in Freedom Park, but they have also named our activists and the RSS elements together. Many of the issues we highlight are caused by the BJP-led union government. If the Congress government is unable to understand what the CPI(M) is doing against these forces and is equating us to RSS, we will urge them to correct their mistaken perception and understand with whom they must sail to fight the communal poison,” he said.  

CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby condemned the arrests on his social media handle and alleged the Congress government in Karnataka of using ‘undemocratic methods to suppress people’s struggles.’ 

Noting that Ms. Bhanu and Mr. Adiga have been in the forefront of highlighting problems of IT sector workers and mobilising against increasing work hours in the sector, a statement from CPI(M) central committee termed the arrests an authoritarian move to stifle protests and said such moves cannot deter struggles for justice.