Delhi Police oppose India Gate protesters' bail, allege Naxal links
What's the story
The Delhi Police has opposed the bail pleas of college students arrested during a protest on November 23. The protest, which was held near India Gate, was reportedly called over poor air quality in Delhi. However, according to Moneycontrol, the police claimed that some protesters used pepper spray against officers and are investigating possible "Naxal links" based on social media activity.
Group affiliation
Protesters linked to Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch
The police said that 23 protesters, mostly students of Delhi University, were arrested. They are reportedly linked to the Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch (BSCEM) and Himkhand, an environmental research and action collective. The police have filed two FIRs against them for assaulting public servants and obstructing them from performing their duties.
Social media evidence
Instagram post glorifying Maoist commander cited in court
The police have cited an Instagram post from BSCEM to oppose the bail applications. The post allegedly glorified Maoist commander Madvi Hidma, who was killed in an encounter in Andhra Pradesh last month. The Delhi Police said the post "glorified" Hidma and included slogans praising Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. It also paid tribute to those called "revolutionary martyrs."
Additional allegations
Accused students seen singing songs glorifying banned organization
The police also alleged that three accused students were seen singing songs glorifying the Radical Students Union (RSU), a banned organization earlier linked to Maoist groups. DCP (New Delhi) Devesh Mahla told the court that RSU is a banned organization and was a "frontal organization" for Maoists. The case is currently under investigation, with 21 out of 23 protesters still in custody on both FIRs.