NEW DELHI/ Chandigarh :
Delhi CM Atishi and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann have written to the Election Commission demanding the restoration of Punjab Police security for Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal. CM Atishi asserted that Arvind Kejriwal faces grave danger from BJP and Home Minister Amit Shah, highlighting that the BJP is orchestrating the removal of Punjab Police security before elections.
Citing past attacks on Arvind Kejriwal by the BJP functionaries, CM Atishi affirmed that the BJP's attempts to target Arvind Kejriwal have only deepened public support for the AAP Chief.
Delhi CM Atishi and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann held a joint press conference over the withdrawal of Punjab Police security for AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on the orders of the central government. CM Atishi stated, “A massive conspiracy is being orchestrated to assassinate Arvind Kejriwal. There are two key players in this plot. On one side, there are BJP workers who, in different parts of Delhi, attack Arvind Kejriwal. They throw stones at him, come armed with sticks, and even use spirit sprays. On the other side is the Delhi Police, which operates under the BJP and Amit Shah.”
The Delhi Chief Minister asserted, “The collusion between the BJP and the Delhi Police has created a situation where repeated attempts are being made to take Arvind Kejriwal’s life.”
CM Atishi said, “We have continuously seen attack after attack on Arvind Kejriwal. On October 24, there was an attack in Vikaspuri, right under the nose of the Delhi Police. When we investigated through social media, it was revealed that the attacker was a BJP worker. And because he was a BJP worker, the collusion between the BJP and the Delhi Police became evident again. Despite the attack happening in front of the police, they did nothing.”
She further added that then again, on November 30, when Arvind Kejriwal was on his way to a public event in Malviya Nagar, there was an attempt to manhandle and assault him. On January 18, in the New Delhi Assembly constituency, stones were thrown at his car, and upon investigating through social media, it was found that all the attackers were BJP office bearers. Once again, the collusion between the BJP and the Delhi Police became clear. The police did not stop the attackers.
“Yesterday, in Hari Nagar, attackers even reached Arvind Kejriwal’s car. The Delhi Police did nothing to stop them. At Kalibari, where Arvind Kejriwal was heading for a campaign in his constituency, buses filled with BJP workers arrived armed with stones and sticks, ready to attack his car. Sanjay Singh had to intervene to stop the attack, but the Delhi Police remained absent. Again, the collusion between the Delhi Police and the BJP was evident,” pointed out the Chief Minister.
CM Atishi stated, “The BJP claims, and the Delhi Police says, that Arvind Kejriwal has Z+ security. Amit Shah claims this too. I ask: in the history of this country, has there ever been a Z+ protectee whose vehicle was attacked with stones, sticks and materials while the police stood by and did nothing? Has there ever been a Z+ protectee whose attackers were not stopped or apprehended by the police? Why is this happening with Arvind Kejriwal? Because the Delhi Police, responsible for protecting him, is under the BJP and Amit Shah, whose sole purpose is to eliminate Arvind Kejriwal at any cost.”
The Delhi CM mentioned, “We saw this when Arvind Kejriwal was falsely imprisoned in fabricated cases. The BJP, its Lieutenant Governor, and the Tihar Jail administration were among those who obstructed Arvind Kejriwal’s access to insulin. As a result, his sugar levels spiked to 300, 350, and even 400, yet the BJP ensured that he was denied insulin. Time and again, the BJP, through its workers, administration, and police force, has carried out life-threatening attacks and conspiracies against Arvind Kejriwal.”
“This is why the Punjab Police has been playing such a critical role in ensuring his physical safety and security. But now, ten days before the elections, at a time when Arvind Kejriwal is facing daily attacks, the BJP has removed the Punjab Police from his security detail. This exposes the BJP’s conspiracy,” she affirmed.
CM Atishi said, “I want to tell the BJP that the people of Delhi love Arvind Kejriwal. They see him as their son, their brother. Every attack you make on Arvind Kejriwal, every stone you throw at him, every stick you raise against him only strengthens the love the people of Delhi have for him. And with every attack, the BJP loses one more vote.”
“The people of Delhi will not forgive the BJP for these attacks on Arvind Kejriwal. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and I have written to the Election Commission of India, demanding a thorough audit of Arvind Kejriwal’s security and the strictest possible action against those attacking him,” said CM Atishi.
Despite our complaints, Delhi Police refuses to file an FIR against the attackers: Bhagwant Mann
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann stated, “For several days now, whenever Arvind Kejriwal attends public meetings, stones, sticks, and flammable liquids like petrol are thrown at him. There have been attempts to physically assault him, and disruptions are caused near his vehicle. However, Delhi Police refuses to register an FIR, even when we provide the names of the culprits. The police are acting on orders from higher-ups to harm Arvind Kejriwal physically so that he is intimidated into stopping his campaign activities.”
He continued, “Punjab Police had concrete evidence that Arvind Kejriwal could be attacked in Delhi and Punjab, which is why we provided him security. These incidents are just the ones that have come to light. Many other plans were foiled due to Punjab Police’s deployment. However, when those behind these plans realized their tactics were failing, they ordered the withdrawal of Arvind Kejriwal’s Punjab Police security.”
The Punjab CM added, “An individual granted Z+ security must be provided that level of protection wherever they go in the country. For instance, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and Chief Ministers from Rajasthan, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh all traveled to Delhi with their state security and received additional security from Delhi Police and the central forces.”
He pointed out, “The opposition is conspiring to harm Arvind Kejriwal because they cannot defeat him ideologically, in terms of agenda, or in public support. Like wrestlers resorting to foul play when losing a match, they are stooping to these low tactics. This is a democracy. If they have the courage, they should compete on the basis of their agenda instead of resorting to violence. Targeting someone’s life is fundamentally wrong.”
Bhagwant Mann said, “We have written to the Election Commission to demand the restoration of Arvind Kejriwal’s security. Delhi Police, under the control of Home Minister Amit Shah, has not registered our complaints despite repeated incidents. We cannot trust them. Even in West Bengal, CM Mamata Banerjee informed me that she did not trust the central forces during elections. At her request, Punjab Police deployed 5,000 personnel, officers, and constables to Bengal to ensure fair elections. She even warned that the central forces might rig the elections and steal her mandate.”
He further noted, “Delhi Police and District Magistrates are behaving like BJP workers, following orders to ensure the BJP wins in Delhi by any means necessary. They tried to create fake votes and remove genuine ones, but when those efforts failed, they resorted to violence, using sticks and rods.”
Bhagwant Mann condemned the incidents, stating, “We strongly condemn these actions, and security lapses should not be tolerated. We have urged the Election Commission to ensure a free and fair electoral process. Direct threats are being issued, warning that Arvind Kejriwal will be attacked with petrol, stones, and sticks if he campaigns in certain areas. The Election Commission must investigate these issues and ensure impartial elections.”
Concluding his statement, the Punjab CM said, “With 10 days of campaigning left, we demand that the Election Commission restore Arvind Kejriwal’s security. As the leader of a national party, he deserves robust protection. If we are not satisfied with the current arrangements, we must be provided with alternatives.”
Delhi CM Atishi and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann write to Chief Election Commissioner raising concerns regarding safety & security of AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal
We write to you with utmost urgency and grave concern regarding the security arrangements of Shri Arvind Kejriwal, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Delhi and National Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who has been consistently facing grave threats to his life and deliberate lapses in his security detail. These lapses are not isolated incidents but appear to be part of a larger, orchestrated pattern designed to jeopardize his safety.
Over the past three months, there have been multiple targeted attacks on Shri Kejriwal, all of which have occurred under the direct watch of the Delhi Police, further exacerbating our concerns. The following incidents highlight the critical threats he has faced:
1. Incident on October 24: Attackers attempted to approach Arvind Kejriwal closely during an event in Vikaspuri and tried to assault him, right under the nose of the Delhi Police.
2. Incident on November 30: Attackers breached his security during a public event in Malviya Nagar and attempted to physically assault him, again in the presence of the Delhi Police.
3. Incident on January 18: Stones were pelted at Shri Kejriwal during a political rally in the New Delhi constituency, endangering his life and the lives of those present, while the Delhi Police failed to intervene or prevent the attack.
4. Incident on January 23: Unidentified individuals deliberately disrupted his vehicle convoy, once again raising serious questions about the intent and effectiveness of the Delhi Police, which was present but failed to act.
It is extremely disturbing that each of these incidents took place in the presence of Delhi police personnel. They simply acted as mute spectators and did not even make an attempt to protect Sh Kejriwal ji.
Punjab Police, which has been a crucial and reliable component of his security detail, has been abruptly withdrawn without consultation or justification. This reckless and politically motivated decision has left Shri Kejriwal entirely dependent on the Delhi Police-a force directly controlled by BJP through its government at the centre.
Arvind Kejriwal is the most prominent opposition figure challenging the BJP's central authority. By leaving his security solely in the hands of a BJP-controlled police force, his life has been recklessly endangered. We are deeply apprehensive that such a deliberate arrangement sets the stage for an untoward incident, which could have catastrophic consequences.
The repeated attacks, the blatant inaction of the Delhi Police, and the withdrawal of the Punjab Police security detail paint a chilling picture of a calculated effort to undermine Shri Kejriwal's safety. This is not just a threat to his life but a direct attack on democracy itself.
Given these alarming developments, we urgently call upon the Election Commission of India to:
1. Conduct an immediate and thorough review of Shri Arvind Kejriwal's security arrangements and implement robust measures to ensure his safety.
2. Reinstate or augment the presence of the Punjab Police in his security detail to provide reliable and impartial protection.
As the guardian of free and fair elections, the Election Commission has a moral and constitutional duty to ensure the safety of political leaders, especially those under grave threat. Shri Kejriwal's security cannot and must not be left in the hands of a police force that is evidently compromised and operates under partisan influences.
We trust that the Election Commission will rise to this occasion and take immediate, decisive action to prevent any harm to Shri Arvind Kejriwal and uphold the principles of democracy.