Congress MP Shashi Tharoor launched a scathing attack on the Centre on Wednesday over its handling of demonstrations in the national capital, declaring that the country is witnessing the "death of democracy". Addressing the media outside Parliament, where the members of Congress party donned black clothes as a gesture of mourning and protest, Tharoor contended that conflict between parties is bound to arise when matters as grave as leak of exam papers are kept hushed up inside the legislative assemblies. He was flabbergasted by the way the government handled the matter and termed their actions violent against the protesting students.
Tharoor highlighted some disturbing stories that he heard about the incident where several students were hurt while he met with them. Tharoor explained how one young man was beaten up with batons while he was simply providing water to the demonstrators. In addition, there was a girl who was manhandled by some men policemen. Several demonstrators also said that they had been beaten up by people wearing civilian clothes who were holding sticks with nails.
Moreover, the experienced politician criticised the move to close 16 stations of the metro in the city for reasons of security, asking whether the creation of panic was required to cause trouble in the transport system. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation had declared the closure of important central stations like Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, and ITO, to keep discipline without disturbing the connection centres. However, according to Tharoor, all these stringent actions of security were not at all necessary and just brought trouble to the citizens of the city.
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