The pre-planned rioting that started in Northeast Delhi on Sunday night has claimed 20 lives so far, with unofficial sources claim the figure could be as high as 50. At least 189 people have been injured.
Meanwhile, the horrific images and videos of the pogrom on social media have left people numb.
Muslims are being killed, beaten with rods, sticks, and stones. Muslim houses and property are being burnt and vandalised in a targetted manner.
The videos of Hindutva mob with police support police creating mayhem in Muslim neighbourhood may one day prove them guilty but as of now, it has taken away whatever little faith people had in the government machinery.
As Delhi burns, Modiji is busy entertaining his twin American brother, Donald Trump while the Chanakya home minister Amit shah is nowhere to be seen, probably because there are no upcoming elections.
While many praised his “not falling for BJP trap” a success story and something to be replicated in other states, it is ironic to see Kejriwal Exposed Within a fortnight of HIS victory. So much for fighting fascism!
The behaviour of BJP, RSS and the Hindutva mob has been known and clear as day to people. Hatemongering, mob lynching, and rioting is their expertise but the behavior of AAP and its head Arvind Kejriwal is what has come as surprise to many especially, people who were giving Kejriwal the medal of honor last week for defeating fascism in Delhi.
Well, they have got their rude awakening!!!
AAP ka beta, Dilli ka Beta Arvind Kejriwal an astute politician, very cleverly stayed away from the hate campaign of BJP and focused on education, water, and electricity. Many praised him for it. He tactically also stayed away from Shaheen bagh and called for the place being vacated.
Playing to both sides, Mr. Kejriwal won the Delhi elections with a huge mandate. While many praised his “not falling for BJP trap” a success story and something to be replicated in other states, it is ironic to see Kejriwal exposed within a fortnight of his victory. So much for fighting fascism!
Let’s take a look at what Mr. Kejriwal did while Delhi burnt-
Kejriwal made three tweets about how sad he is that the situation is tense in Delhi and people should maintain peace. He retweeted other AAP leaders tweets for calls for peace. He also expressed grief in his tweet over the death of a head constable in the riots, by this time the death toll was 4.
The next day on Tuesday, when social media is full of horrific images and evidence of mobs led by BJP leaders burning Muslim neighborhoods, Mr. Kejriwal did a press conference and went to Rajghat to “pray” for peace.
दिल्ली में जल्द से जल्द शांति बहाल हो, लोग हिंसा को ठुकराए इसलिए राजघाट पर प्रार्थना की। इस कठिन समय में हमें महात्मा गांधी जी से प्रेरणा ले कर अहिंसा को अपनाना है। हिंसा से कुछ हासिल नहीं होगा। pic.twitter.com/cHafjW8mWe
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 25, 2020
AAP won overwhelmingly in Muslim dominated areas, so much so that AAP´s candidate Amanatullah won with the second-highest margin in the Delhi Elections from the Okhla constituency where Shaheen Bagh is situated. So it is natural that people will have expectations from the MLAs at such times. What is Arvind Kejriwal afraid of now, when there are no elections or Hindu votes to lose?
Will Kejriwal and Co stop this drama? Instead they should go to riot affected localities and try to stop violence. Mahatma Gandhi went to Noakhali to quell riots. https://t.co/71B0mep7TM
— nikhil wagle (@waglenikhil) February 25, 2020
Mr. Kejriwal did go to see the victims of the violence in the hospital on Tuesday night, 3 days after the violence.
A delegation of students went to meet him with a charter of demands that he should do something to contain the situation in Delhi. Instead of meeting them, the students were water cannoned, 42 of them were beaten up, detained and slapped with police cases.
Watch | Water cannons used to disperse JNU, Jamia students protesting outside Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's house last night.#CitizenshipAct #DelhiViolence pic.twitter.com/mbEb6dnamv
— NDTV (@ndtv) February 26, 2020
39 boys who were detained by Kejriwal's house have been beaten up badly by the police
Somebody's head is open, someone's hand is broken
Slogans of Shri Ram and Kasab not Kalam
Everyone is released but can't walk by own foot— Nadeem Khan (@nadeemkhanUAH) February 26, 2020
We're standing outside the CMs house, he is refusing to meet us. The cops have asked us to evacuate. Kya Kejriwal aur Amit Shah ek hai? @ArvindKejriwal @AamAadmiParty pic.twitter.com/f1T43oi8i9
— Ashish Mathew (@hsihsamathew) February 25, 2020
Delhi CM Kejriwal has expressed his helplessness and not being in control of police as reasons for his inability in handling the situation. But that is not true.
According to an article by Indian Express, there is a list of things that a union territory can do, for example- call the central government to send the army. Mr. Kejriwal did that, on Wednesday. By this time, the death toll reached in the 30s, fear instilled in people, anti-CAA protesters vacated from the neighbourhood, and crores of damage to the property had already happened. What stopped Kejriwal from acting as a responsible Chief Minister?
I have been in touch wid large no of people whole nite. Situation alarming. Police, despite all its efforts, unable to control situation and instil confidence
Army shud be called in and curfew imposed in rest of affected areas immediately
Am writing to Hon’ble HM to this effect
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 26, 2020
Kejriwal’s response leaves much to be desired and social media didn’t leave any punches in telling him just that.
How many radio messages from Arvind Kejriwal have you heard this time addressing Dilli-walon for peace?
We heard so many behavior changing nudge-appeals during OddEven.
Surely, this was more important. And critical for a leader who won with such a huge majority just 2 weeks ago— rama lakshmi (@RamaNewDelhi) February 26, 2020
Our lawyer friend points out;
"Kejriwal has no control over police force but has full control over DMs, SDMs who can direct police to take actions. Only police force is with Union Govt but prosecution under CrPC is with Delhi Govt.
Kejriwal saying he can't do anything is a myth." pic.twitter.com/CcMgRF9epP— Bilal Ahmed (@BilalAhmedNgp) February 26, 2020
Can Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi and other leaders stop sermonising Delhi from the comforts of their room. You need to be on the streets, the minorities and the affected need a healing hand. Stop tweeting. Stand on the streets, protest, be counted
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) February 25, 2020
Mr. Kejriwal. You should be on the streeets. Do not sermonise from the comforts of your office. Your refusal to condemn the violence at Jamia, Shaheen Bagh has played a part here. https://t.co/P3doK9e5KZ
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) February 25, 2020
AAP apologists for Kejriwal in this moment must know that jinse ummeed hoti hai unhi ko guhaar lagai jaati hai. The fact that people are asking Kejriwal to act and Shah to resign must tell you something. Stop being defensive.
— Akhil Katyal (@akhilkatyal) February 26, 2020
Mr. Kejriwal when will you stand up for your Dilli?
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