BJP Slams Annamalai For “Double Standards” On SIR After He Blasts Crackdown On CJP Protests

Annamalai’s sharp comments come after CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka walked free on Wednesday, following a week in custody.

Former BJP Leader Turns Critic

Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader K Annamalai has launched a strong attack on the Centre. He criticised the government’s handling of protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). In response, the BJP accused him of flip flopping on the issue. The party claimed he once supported the same electoral roll revision drive he now questions.

Annamalai quit the BJP back in June this year. His latest criticism arrives months after that exit. In a post on X on Wednesday, the former Tamil Nadu BJP chief warned that dissenting voices risk being “jailed indefinitely” or “labelled anti-nationals or foreign agents”. His comments followed the arrest of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. He added that although he disagreed with CJP’s methods, he fully backed the questions they were raising about the electoral process.

BJP Hits Back Sharply

Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy did not hold back. He accused Annamalai of double standards over his shifting stance on SIR. Thirupathy also pushed back against Annamalai’s criticism of Delhi Police. He said that, as a former IPS officer, Annamalai should understand the need for law and order. Defending the police action, Thirupathy said, “Annamalai’s questions deliberately blur the line between peaceful protest and deliberate law-breaking.”

Annamalai Questions Government’s Response

A former IPS officer himself, Annamalai has consistently supported citizens’ right to question authority. He invoked a 2011 remark by Narendra Modi, then Gujarat’s Chief Minister. Modi had said he would have gone to Delhi to fight the Central government had his hands not been tied. Annamalai said, “In my opinion, what the Hon PM said then was absolutely right, and there is nothing wrong about it”.

He also referred to the arrest of Das and Ranka. The duo had entered the Jantar Mantar area, even though it was officially de-notified as a protest site. Annamalai wrote, “Today, you could be jailed indefinitely; your surety bonds could be rejected; and, surprisingly, a Special Executive Magistrate will play circles around you when he/ she is empowered to deal with preventive bond cases.”

He further warned, “If you question the violation of due process of law in a democracy, you would be called names, and a barrage of attacks would follow, including being labelled a Foreign Agent.”

Backs CJP’s Right To Protest

Annamalai made it clear he doesn’t endorse CJP’s approach. Still, he defended their right to dissent. He said, “I might not agree with the tactics of the CJP, and I think many of theirs are misguided. But if you ask me whether they have a right to oppose/argue/protest on an issue that they think is important, I would categorically say – YES.”

He added, “So, I would like people to ask the questions again, even if it makes some of them uncomfortable, and I wish the Central Government would answer them instead of resorting to whataboutism.”

Annamalai also took issue with branding protesters as “anti-India” or “foreign agents”. He called this narrative “tiring and boring”.

Targets The Centre Directly

Annamalai didn’t stop there. He turned his attention to government agencies and institutions. He said, “FCRA is controlled by MHA. All agencies don’t report to the opposition parties in the country. All the embassies outside are equipped with enough people to track any Indian national in hand in glove with foreign enemies. It’s honestly very tiring and boring to see all protests and statements against the central government being called as anti-national and funded by forces outside.”

He added, “I have a feeling the central government forgets it’s been in power in Delhi for 12 plus years and still manufactures an enemy at all times to keep itself relevant. Sadly, that’s a pity!”

Party Leaders Respond

The BJP wasted no time responding to its former leader. Spokesperson Thirupathy pointed out that Annamalai once supported SIR. He had argued back then that fake voters needed removal. Now, Thirupathy said, Annamalai echoes concerns raised by Congress and CJP instead.

“Today, after quitting the BJP, the same Annamalai has switched sides,” Thirupathy said. He reiterated that Annamalai’s questions “deliberately blur the line between peaceful protest and deliberate law-breaking”.

Tamil Nadu BJP leader Vinod Selvam also responded point by point. He defended the government’s duty to maintain public order. Selvam said, “The Modi government has a responsibility to maintain public order. It cannot suspend that responsibility whenever those facing action happen to oppose BJP.” He added, “Peaceful protest deserves protection. Alleged violations deserve examination.”