Brief detention in Bhuj provokes supporters to rampage in Delhi, lucknow
Hours after AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was detained by Gujarat Police while on his way to Bhuj district, AAP supporters went on a rampage outside BJP headquarters at Ashoka Road in Delhi, where they pelted stones and tore off the party’s flag.
AAP and BJP supporters also clashed in lucknow, while a group of people protesting Kejriwal’s foray into Gujarat broke the windshield of his car.
Condemning the attack on its office, the BJP accused AAP of attempting to vitiate the environment ahead of lok Sabha polls and urged the Election Commission (EC) to take note of it. “I strongly condemn AAP’s violent protest at the gates of the BJP’s office in Delhi. It shows the AAP’s undemocratic and anarchist character,” BJP president Rajnath Singh said.
BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said: “AAP has resorted to anarchy and violence on the day the election schedule has been declared. They are trying to disturb and vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the country which could affect free, fair and peaceful conduct of polls, which is the hallmark of democracy.”
On its part, AAP also appealed to the EC to take action against BJP workers for “brutally beating up” AAP supporters. AAP member Prashant Bhushan and its candidate from Chandni Chowk Parliamentary constituency Ashutosh said AAP workers attacked in retaliation and blamed the BJP for initiating violence.
The EC should take cognizance of the matter and control such people. Strict action should be taken against BJP workers for resorting to violence and beating up our workers so brutally,” said Ashutosh, while referring to injured AAP members including Jagdeep Singh, who had won the Hari Nagar Delhi Assembly seat.
Condemning the incident, Bhushan said the police stood by while AAP workers were being beaten up and came into action only later. “Imposing Section 144 and arresting our party members is a violation of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Thirty-seven of our members have been detained at the Parliament Street Police Station,” said Bhushan, adding that a complaint would be lodged against BJP workers on Thursday.
In Delhi, two cars of BJP workers were damaged by AAP supporters, leading to a traffic snarl on Ashoka Road, Feroz Shah Road and other adjoining roads for some hours. The police had to wield batons to clear the sit-in by AAP supporters.
The whole drama began after the AAP leadership sent bulk messages to its cadre and asked them to come and join their protest outside the BJP’s office at Ashoka Road over the detention of Arvind Kejriwal in Gujarat for not taking permission to hold public meetings.
“AAP workers began gathering at Ashoka Road at around 4.45 pm. The protest was led by AAP leader Shazia Ilmi and Ashutosh,” a senior police officer said.
AAP supporters raised slogans against the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and alleged that scared of Kejriwal’s visit to Gujarat he had used the police against him. The protestors shouted slogans outside the gate of the BJP office and ripped the party’s flag.
Following this, BJP workers also started pelting stones and plastic chairs were hurled from inside the BJP office on the crowd outside. Soon both sides were engaged in pelting stones and blamed each other for starting the violence.
“Police rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the protestors. This led the AAP workers to turn their attention towards Delhi Police and the protest turned ugly. Police later used water cannons to disperse the crowd,” the officer added.
Over 28 people from both sides were injured in the clash. BJP leader Nalin Kohli came down heavily on AAP and demanded Ashutosh’s arrest for instigating party workers.
However, AAP hit back saying BJP activists provoked the violence. “We cannot change the path of our caravan. What was the need to detain KejriwalIJ Modi is scared of Kejriwal. Rahul Gandhi is in Aurangabad but he wasn’t stopped. This rally was fixed days in advance,” Shazia Ilmi said.
The EC has asked Delhi Police to give a report on the violence at Ashoka Road. Delhi Police officials said video footage was being scanned and a case would be filed once a complaint is received.
Earlier, in Gujarat, Kejriwal’s four-day visit started on a stormy note when he was detained by the Gujarat Police at Radhanpur on the charges that he had not taken permission to hold public meetings. Kejriwal, however, was released after half an hour. later, his car was stoned near Bhachau village in Kutch, and its windshield broken.
According to police, Kejriwal had not taken permission to hold the rally but was allow to go after questioning.AAP sources said he was planning a night-halt at Bhuj in Kutch as he wanted to hold a dharna at Mundra, where the Adani Group has developed a port. He also plans to go to Jamnagar to protest in front of Reliance Group’s oil refinery.
However, Kejriwal did not get much support in the State and only a few people gathered to listen to him. At most places, he faced protests.
In lucknow, AAP volunteers and BJP worked clashed outside the BJP’s office. The police remained silent spectators most of the time. AAP supporters were outnumbered by BJP workers and several of them were injured.
In Allahabad, a makeshift office of AAP in Civil lines area was set on fire after AAP volunteers burnt the effigy of Modi.