Protests in New Delhi for Release of Arvind Kejriwal
Hundreds of protesters in New Delhi took to the streets for a second day on Saturday, demanding the immediate release of Arvind Kejriwal, a top rival of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The protests come as India prepares for a national election next month.
Arrest of Arvind Kejriwal
Arvind Kejriwal, the Indian capital’s top elected official and a significant political figure in the past decade, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday night. The agency accused his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and ministers of accepting 1 billion rupees in bribes from liquor contractors nearly two years ago.
Protest and Denial
Members and supporters of India’s opposition Aam Aadmi Party protested against Kejriwal’s arrest, shouting slogans and accusing Modi of governance under a state of emergency. AAP denied the accusations, stating that Kejriwal would continue as Delhi’s chief minister as they took the matter to court.
Challenges Faced
Kejriwal’s wife shared a message from him, expressing his lack of surprise at the arrest and warning against forces weakening the country. Protesters chanted against Modi’s government and accused it of misusing federal agencies to suppress opposition parties.
Opposition Unity
Bhagwant Mann, AAP leader and Punjab’s chief minister, joined the protest, calling Kejriwal’s arrest a “murder of democracy.” Opposition parties have accused the government of targeting them ahead of the election, while the ruling party maintains that law enforcement acts independently.
Political Climate
Kejriwal’s arrest is seen as a setback for the opposition alliance “INDIA,” the main challenger to the BJP in the upcoming election. The opposition has criticized the government for alleged misuse of power and targeting of political opponents.
Recent Developments
In a related case, Kejriwal’s deputy and an AAP lawmaker were also arrested in 2023. The political landscape in India remains tense as the election approaches, with allegations of undemocratic practices and misuse of authority.