The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government of failing in its responsibility to ensure women's safety and maintain law and order in the national capital while addressing a 'Mahila Adalat' event at Thyagaraj Stadium.
The 'Mahila Adalat', held on the 12th anniversary of the 2012 Delhi gang rape that led to stricter anti-rape laws in the country, saw hundreds of women raising slogans like ‘Nirbhaya Amar Rahe’ and ‘Mahila Shakti Zindabad’. Survivors of sexual assault shared their harrowing experiences at the event, with several breaking down while addressing the crowd.
Addressing the crowd, the former Chief Minister claimed that unlike the BJP which does not treat women's safety as a priority, his government has fulfilled all its promises. "Ten years ago, you gave me the responsibility to improve schools, hospitals, and water supply in Delhi, and I have done my work. But you gave the responsibility of security to BJP and Amit Shah, who has failed," Kejriwal said.
"Delhi's women are not a vote bank for me; I see them as my sisters and mothers. I have done everything within my power to ensure their safety. Before AAP came to power, there were no CCTV cameras in the city. We installed CCTV cameras and appointed bus marshals to enhance people's security," Kejriwal added.
Chief Minister Atishi highlighted the grim reality that, even 12 years after the Nirbhaya incident, women in Delhi continue to face harassment and violence. She pledged the AAP government’s unwavering commitment to fight for women’s security, holding the BJP accountable for the alarming rise in crimes against women.
She said, "Today is a dark day in the history of our country, and in the history of our city. On this day, December 16, the heart-wrenching, soul-shaking violence that happened to Delhi’s daughter Nirbhaya took place."
"When this painful tragedy occurred, we all took to the streets. We all fought with the resolve that such an incident would never happen again to the daughters of Delhi, to women anywhere," she added.
A short video highlighting crime against women modelled after the television programme "Aap Ki Adalat" was screened on the occasion, which accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of inaction on women's safety. Coming ahead of next year's Assembly elections in Delhi, the event was attended by INDIA bloc ally Akhilesh Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, among others.
Taking a dig at AAP chief and his personal aide Bibhav Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal took to X and shared, “Sir, will you make Bibhav Kumar a judge in the Mahila Court?”
Further, responding to Kejriwal's allegations, the BJP took a swipe at AAP, saying the party should first act on its MP Swati Maliwal's complaint of alleged harassment by Kejriwal's aide Bibhav Kumar.
The BJP also critised AAP for inviting Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for the 'Mahila Adalat', alleging that his father, the late Mulayam Singh Yadav, once defended those who commit crimes against woman.
"Arvind Kejriwal, who established women's courts, should have delivered justice to Swati Maliwal by expelling Bibhav Kumar. Also, inviting Akhilesh Yadav for the 'Nirbhaya Day' programme is an insult to her memory," the BJP asked in a statement.
