The national Capital on Tuesday witnessed massive protests led separately by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
While AAP workers attempted to ‘gherao’ the Prime Minister residence in Lutyens’ Zone, seeking release of their supremo Arvind Kejriwal from the Enforcement Directorate’s custody, the BJP organised protest demanding that the arrested Chief Minister step down from his post.
Kejriwal, who was arrested on March 21 and subsequently remanded to ED custody till March 28 by a Delhi court, faces charges of direct involvement in a conspiracy related to the formulation of the excise policy favouring specific individuals.
The protests led to massive traffic jams in the Central and New Delhi areas and as preventive measures the Delhi Police issued directions to shut down the entry and exit gates of the Lok Kalyan Metro Station from where the PM’s residence is nearby.
The Delhi Police beefed up security in several parts of the national Capital, including around the PM’s residence and Central Delhi, by deploying its personnel and those of paramilitary forces.
Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure were imposed in the Patel Chowk area.
A senior police officer said they cannot allow anyone to gather and added that in view of this, “we have to clear this area”.
“We will not allow anybody to gather here,” he said. Deputy Commissioner of Police of New Delhi Devesh Kumar had earlier warned that those who gather at the chowk to demonstrate would be detained immediately.
AAP leaders and workers tried to march towards the Prime Minister’s residence on Lok Kalyan Marg raising slogans of ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ and ‘Kejriwal Zindabad’, with many being detained at Patel Chowk including senior AAP leader Somnath Bharti, Delhi Assembly Deputy Speaker Rakhi Birla and Punjab Minister Harjot Singh Bains.
Claiming that the Delhi Police has turned Delhi into a ‘fortress’, AAP Delhi unit convener Gopal Rai told a Press conference that the way the BJP-led Central Government has imposed restrictions under section 144 ‘across the city’, it seems Delhi has become a ‘police state’.
Rai asserted that the fight against the ‘dictatorship’ in the country is the struggle of those who love democracy and the Constitution, and announced that preparations are now underway for a “maharally” at the Ramleela ground, by the INDIA Bloc, on March 31.
“I want to warn the Centre that this movement will not stop with the use of police force,” Rai said and claimed that women workers of his party were dragged and detained.
Meanwhile, at least 57 BJP members, including the party’s Delhi chief Virendra Sachderva, were detained and water cannons used during its protest march to demand the resignation of the CM.
BJP workers and leaders, including national secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa, sitting MPs Dr Harshvardhan, Manoj Tiwari, Ramesh Bidhuri, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and BJP Lok Sabha candidate Bansuri Swaraj took part in the protest, demanding that Kejriwal resigns.
They gathered near the Ferozshah Kotla stadium and marched towards the Delhi Secretariat, carrying their party’s flag and raising slogans such as ‘Kejriwal Sharm Karo’ and ‘Kejriwal Istifa Do’.
“To disperse the protesters, water cannons were used. Some of them were detained from near the Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg when they tried to break through a layer of barricades,” a police officer said.
Police said some workers climbed over barricades while marching towards the secretariat.
“Kejriwal has been arrested, and therefore, he should resign on moral grounds and give his responsibility to someone else,” Harshvardhan said.
Scores of party workers, along with Sachdeva, were taken to Kamla Nagar Police Station by Central District Police.
Slamming Kejriwal for issuing directions to his Ministers while being in the ED custody, BJP national secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that a Chief Minister cannot issue directions while being in custody and alleged that the AAP was creating a drama. He also said a complaint has been lodged to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena urging him to take strict action in the matter.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said a Government cannot be run from jail. “You can run a gang from jail but not a Government. A Government can run only as per the Constitution,” he said.
In his latest order from ED custody, Health Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said Kejriwal has issued directions to ensure that medicines and tests are available to people at all Government hospitals and Mohalla Clinics. On Sunday, Water Minister Atishi had said the Chief Minister from ED custody had directed her to solve water and sewer related problems in some areas of Delhi.
Commuters faced severe traffic jams in parts of Central and New Delhi including Vikas Marg, ITO, Tughlak road, and Patel Chowk. Police also informed that traffic will remain heavy at IP Marg, Vikas Marg, Minto Road and DDU Marg. Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, where the BJP protest took place, remained closed for hours causing trouble to the daily commuters.
The Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory keeping in mind the law and order situation in light of the protests by both the parties and asked the commuters to avoid travelling via Kemal Ataturk Marg, Safdarjung Road, Akbar Road and Teen Murti Marg.
Traffic police also informed that no vehicle will be allowed to halt or park anywhere on Tughlak road, Safdarjung road and Kemal Ataturk Marg. General entry for the public will not be allowed along with towing away of vehicles, which will be parked in the traffic pit at Kali Bari Marg, found parked on the roads mentioned. Prosecution for improper parking and disobedience of lawful instructions will also be followed.
The Delhi High Court will hear Kejriwal’s plea against his arrest by ED in the excise policy case on Wednesday.
