In an interview to Karan Thapar for The Wire Sitaram Yechury said it was his constitutional right to speak against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens. He had done so all over the country but always peacefully. He said it was a complete fabrication to try and accuse him of provoking and mobilizing the crowd to riot.

Sitaram Yechury told The Wire that he is not sure if he ever visited Jafrabad although he did got to areas near that part of Delhi. He also said he would have done so well before President Trump’s visit.

Asked by The Wire if he knew Gulfisha Fatima, Sitaram Yechury said he did not. He said he does not recall meeting her although it’s possible he may have done so in a crowd or at a rally. Asked if he would recognize her if she walked into the room he said no. He said he does not know what she looks like.