New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public gathering in Tamil Nadu to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development initiatives valued at thirteen thousand crore rupees. Emphasising infrastructure, public health, and manufacturing, he noted that upcoming projects spanning metro rail networks, road connectivity, and port modernisation will accelerate industrial growth and generate youth employment across the state. Pointing out that India has become the world's second-largest mobile manufacturer and significantly increased its defence and electronics exports, he reaffirmed the Union Government's commitment to cooperative federalism and empowering state economies. Reflecting on his twenty-five continuous years as a head of government since first taking oath as Chief Minister in October, Modi highlighted ongoing efforts to foster regional development.
Meanwhile, student and youth activists addressed a press conference in the national capital to detail mass detentions, police brutality, and severe curbs imposed across Delhi during recent demonstrations. The speakers alleged that law enforcement personnel entered an aircraft to forcefully abduct key activists, confiscated mobile devices without providing seizure memos or hash values, and denied legal representation. They highlighted heavy security deployment across Delhi, including the closure of 57 metro stations, cancellation of trains, and shutdown of shops, creating an emergency-like situation for ordinary citizens.
Speakers further raised concerns over police entering Gurdwara Bangla Sahib to detain protesters seeking shelter, intimidation of volunteers' families, custodial violence against members, and harassment directed at independent journalists covering the protests. Criticism was directed at the central government for allegedly attempting to shield Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid severe allegations regarding the deletion of 13 crore voters from electoral rolls. Activists argued that young voters have been deliberately targeted to suppress democratic questioning.
Highlighting the deployment of tens of thousands of security personnel, speakers drew comparisons with the 1975 Emergency, alleging that current restrictions surpassed past measures. They condemned the handling of protesters heading to Jantar Mantar and called on citizens across multiple states to participate in peaceful street protests. Declaring their resolve to sustain nationwide demonstrations defending democratic rights, the speakers demanded institutional accountability and transparency from the authorities.