“If we won't hoist tricolour in our own country, will we hoist it in Pakistan?”: Arvind Kejriwal Slams Govt Over 'Lehra Do Tiranga' March
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal calls the detention of activists during the Lehra Do Tiranga march in Delhi an act of dictatorship.
In a scathing attack on the ruling administration, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has denounced the detention of activists during the Lehra Do Tiranga march in New Delhi, labeling the government's actions as "outright dictatorship."
The controversy erupted following police intervention during a Tiranga rally near Central Park in Connaught Place. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kejriwal questioned the logic of restricting the display of the national flag in India, posing a sharp rhetorical question to his critics.
“If we won't hoist the tricolour in our own country, then will we hoist it in Pakistan? Those who have a problem with the Indian tricolour should go to Pakistan,” Kejriwal wrote.
Detentions and Allegations of Fear
The AAP leader's remarks were triggered by the detention of CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke. Dipke was picked up by the police from the residence of NCP-SCP spokesperson Anish Gawande. Kejriwal argued that targeting activist leadership is a sign of "deep political anxieties" within the current government.
Questioning the legality of stopping citizens from hoisting the national flag, Kejriwal added, “Is it a crime to hoist the tricolour? Abhijeet's arrest shows just how much Modi ji fears them.”
AAP's Massive Mobilisation in the Capital
Delhi AAP President Saurabh Bharadwaj also defended the party's activities, emphasizing that the party had mobilised hundreds of tricolours for the Yatra. He revealed that earlier in the day, young party members had unfurled a massive 270-foot-long national flag in front of the Parliament and the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Bharadwaj challenged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asking why the government found it problematic for citizens to hoist their own national flag. "What does the Bharatiya Janata Party want—should we be hoisting the flags of Pakistan, Bangladesh, or America instead?" he questioned.
Security Crackdown and Police Action
The day saw significant unrest in central Delhi, with authorities deploying over 6,000 personnel from the Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). According to officials, approximately 150 demonstrators were detained during the "Lehra Do Tiranga" march and other protests.
The police action was not limited to the AAP rally; workers from the All India Students' Association (AISA) and Left parties were also staging demonstrations near Mandi House, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Why the Police Intervened
Delhi Police justified the detentions based on the following grounds:
- Lack of Permission: Authorities stated that official permission for the rallies had not been granted.
- Restricted Zones: Areas like Central Park in Connaught Place were designated as restricted.
- Prohibitory Orders: Section 163 of the BNSS was in force, barring mass gatherings to maintain law and order.
In the case of Abhijeet Dipke, police officials informed him that he was being placed under preventive detention. Dipke was served two separate notices: one under Section 163 of the BNSS barring him from visiting Central Park, and another regarding a bond violation issued by the South-West Delhi district.