Clash of Protests Grips Delhi: AAP vs. BJP Demonstrations Amid Kejriwal Arrest Controversy
New Delhi, 27th March 2024: On Tuesday, the streets of Delhi witnessed a clash of protests as both the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organized demonstrations across the capital. The AAP protested against the arrest of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, while the BJP demanded his resignation, just a day before the Delhi High Court was set to hear a plea regarding the matter.
Several notable figures, including Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains, AAP’s Malviya Nagar legislator Somnath Bharti, and Deputy Speaker of the Delhi Assembly Rakhi Birla, were detained by Delhi Police at Patel Chowk Metro station during the AAP’s demonstration. The party had planned a march from the metro station to the Prime Minister’s residence to protest Kejriwal’s arrest in connection with alleged irregularities related to Delhi’s excise policy for liquor.
Simultaneously, Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva and numerous party leaders were detained during a protest near the Delhi Secretariat, where they demanded Kejriwal’s resignation. Police resorted to using water cannons against BJP leaders when they attempted to breach a barricade and advance towards the building.
While AAP supporters gathered at the metro station as planned, senior AAP leaders or members of the Delhi cabinet did not join the protest. Despite the detentions, AAP workers expressed solidarity with Kejriwal, emphasizing that there was no evidence against him and that he had only worked to improve facilities for the people of Delhi.
Security measures were intensified across parts of New Delhi, and the detained protesters were transported to various police stations. Deputy Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahla confirmed that the detained individuals were released later in the day.
In response to the protests, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced the closure of Lok Kalyan Marg Metro station.
The BJP, during its protest, accused Kejriwal of disregarding principles and clinging to power despite his arrest. BJP MLA Vijender Gupta claimed that Sunita Kejriwal, the Delhi CM’s wife, delivered a statement that appeared to mimic the official setup used by the CM for public announcements, leading to perceptions of an unofficial assumption of authority in his absence.
AAP maintained that Kejriwal’s arrest would not deter him from serving the people and dismissed the case against him as “fake.”
The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear a petition against Kejriwal’s arrest on Wednesday, with the CM seeking immediate release on grounds of the arrest and subsequent remand being deemed “illegal.”
