NEW DELHI:
In a powerful show of solidarity with CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) orchestrated a monumental demonstration at Delhi’s Shaheedi Park, joined by the constituent parties of the INDIA Alliance. The rally, held on ‘Shaheedi Diwas’, saw leaders and supporters of INDIA Alliance uniting to safeguard the nation’s democracy and combat the grip of authoritarianism. Punjab CM Sardar Bhagwant Mann, alongside a formidable contingent of INDIA Alliance leaders and supporters, convened at the historic park. However, prior to the gathering, AAP leaders, including Minister Atishi, faced obstruction by Delhi Police en route to the protest site. Undeterred, demonstrators voiced their dissent by staging a sit-in, condemning the central government’s policies. Notable figures such as Cabinet Ministers Shri Kailash Gahlot, Shri Saurabh Bharadwaj, senior Congress leaders, and former minister Haroon Yusuf lent their presence, underscoring the unified opposition against the central government’s actions.
As per the pre-announced program, Punjab CM Sardar Bhagwant Mann, along with leaders and workers of AAP and the INDIA Alliance, gathered in support of Delhi CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal at Shaheedi Park. Addressing the congregation, Punjab CM Sardar Bhagwant Mann stated that sacrificed his life for the country’s independence at the age of 23. Today, we are here to salute him. Bhagat Singh became sacrificed his life to bring democracy to the country. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Lala Lajpat Rai told the British to leave the country, saying that we will choose our leaders by voting.”
“When the country became independent in 1947, we got the right to vote and began electing leaders for the country ourselves. But today, the souls of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev must be agonizing to see that the democracy for which sacrifices were made is no longer alive in that country. Don’t let the opposition campaign, don’t let them contest elections, and throw the opposition leaders straight into jail. The freedom fighters didn’t imagine this freedom. Today, we stand here in front of the statues of the freedom fighters. Their souls must be suffering to see this,” the Punjab CM said.
Punjab CM Sardar Bhagwant Mann mentioned, “You can put Shri Arvind Kejriwal in jail, but how will you capture his ideology? Today, there is anger across the country that the BJP wants to bring dictatorship to this country. The BJP believes that if their government is not formed in Delhi, they will not let the government function there, only the LG will run it. If the government is not formed in Punjab, they will trouble it through the Governor. If the government is not formed in Bengal and Kerala, the Governor will rule. If the government is not formed in Jharkhand, they will arrest CM Hemant Soren. If the government is not formed in Tamil Nadu, the Governor will not read the state government’s speech.”
“Today, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s constitution is in danger. I want to tell 140 crore country people to unite, otherwise this country will head towards destruction. These people do not listen to anyone, neither the ED, CBI, Supreme Court, Election Commission, nor NITI Aayog. What do they think of this country? This country is not anyone’s ‘jagir’ (estate). These people did not allow Punjab’s tableau to participate in the parade on 26th January. Has BJP become bigger than Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Kartar Singh Sarabha, and Lala Lajpat Rai? Who are you to reject the sacrifices of those who played a crucial role in securing the country’s independence?” The Punjab CM affirmed.
CM Sardar Bhagwant Mann said, “Earlier our forefathers fought against the British for the country’s independence, and now we will fight against the looters. The news that democracy is in danger in India is on the front pages of newspapers worldwide. They say that we stopped the war between Russia and Ukraine. You are locking up people within your own country and talking about stopping wars outside. They are telling the youth of Haryana to go to Ukraine, they want to throw these youth into war. When Shri Arvind Kejriwal comes out, there will be a wave across the country. Shri Arvind Kejriwal is not just a person, but an ideology, and you cannot imprison an ideology.”
Answering media questions, the Punjab CM said that no law says that if a Chief Minister is jailed under a political conspiracy, they must resign. If he has not been proven guilty yet, he can run the government from jail. And as for election campaigning, it will be the promotion of Shri Arvind Kejriwal’s ideology. Every candidate and every volunteer will campaign as Kejriwal. Bhagat Singh had no doubt about getting independence. But he used to think about who would control the country after independence. Today, his fear has come true. These people are dictators. Sometimes they buy someone’s MLA, sometimes they overthrow someone’s government. Such buying and selling in the country should stop. We need to save democracy.
INDIA Alliance stands together with full strength and determination: Haroon Yusuf
During this time, senior Congress leader and former minister in the Delhi Government, Shri Haroon Yusuf said that the INDIA Alliance stands together with full strength and determination. There is an attempt to strangle the country’s democracy. The arrests of chief ministers are happening, first Shri Hemant Soren was arrested, and now Shri Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested. All components of the INDIA Alliance will fight this battle with full force. The Aam Aadmi Party is a part of the INDIA Alliance and fully supports it.
Meanwhile, Delhi Congress tweeted, “A protest against the autocratic arrests of elected chief ministers was held at Shaheedi Park in Delhi. The INDIA Alliance stands strong against BJP’s injustice. Just as there is an attempt to strangle democracy, just as the CM is being arrested, first Shri Hemant Soren and now Shri Arvind Kejriwal, India will give a strong response to this.”
Former Minister of Delhi government Haroon Yusuf, former MLA, and other senior leaders of Congress were present at the protest.
All activists should engage in election preparation, we need to defeat this authoritarian government: Atishi
Senior AAP Leader and Minister Atishi said that these people want to put us in jail one by one. They want us to not be able to fight elections. Therefore, we will not engage in any scuffle. We will demand time from the Election Commission and complain about the police officers who have sealed the party office. She told the party workers to go to their respective areas and prepare for the elections. We have to defeat these people in the elections. We have to defeat this authoritarian government. Wherever responsibility for election campaigning has been assigned, everyone should go there and campaign.
Large number of supporters gathered at Shaheedi Park
At the call of the Aam Aadmi Party, supporters and leaders of the INDIA Alliance started gathering at Shaheedi Park with posters and banners early in the morning. During this time, supporters shouted slogans of “Kejriwal Zindabad” (Long live Kejriwal) and “Arvind tum Sangharsh karo, hum tumhare sath hain” (Arvind you struggle, we are with you).
Senior leaders and ministers of Delhi sit on protest
In protest against the arrest of Delhi’s CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal, a large number of supporters, including Delhi’s Minister Atishi, sat on a ‘dharna’ (protest). They raised slogans against the BJP and waved posters. During this time, slogans like “Modi your one annihilator, Kejriwal”, “Jab jab Modi darta hai, police aage karta hai”, “The Ranga-Billa government will not work, down with Narendra Modi’s. “Modi your dictatorship will not work, and Modi, your thuggery will not work” were raised.
March from Shaheedi Park to Party Headquarters
Supporters gathered at Shaheedi Park in support of Shri Arvind Kejriwal marched from ITO to the party headquarters. During this, Punjab CM Sardar Bhagwant Mann, Delhi Cabinet Minister Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot along with all senior leaders, MLAs, councilors, party officials, and activists participated.
Police stopped AAP Ministers and MLAs at various places
Delhi Police stopped the car of Aam Aadmi Party’s senior leader and minister Atishi in the middle of the road while she was going home from the party headquarters and started questioning her. Ms. Atishi was going home with the party’s senior leader and Cabinet colleague Shri Saurabh Bharadwaj, MLA Durgesh Pathak, and Adil Ahmad Khan, when the police stopped their car on Barakhamba Road as soon as they saw them.
