Arvind Kejriwal condemns PM Modi over Delhi student protest crackdown
On Tuesday, July 21, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal announced he would visit the Parliament Street police station and RML Hospital in Delhi following a police crackdown on student protesters. Speaking at a press conference, the former Delhi Chief Minister launched a sharp verbal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comparing the government's actions to those of a dictator.
Kejriwal's remarks came after the Delhi Police issued a press release stating they would register FIRs against individuals who participated in a protest on Monday, July 20. Kejriwal criticized the threat of legal action, stating that the country belongs to its 1.4 billion citizens and warned the Prime Minister to stop issuing threats.
During the press conference, Kejriwal condemned the police's response to the protest, alleging that officers brutally beat students and youth. He cited social media videos showing police striking unarmed children with batons and firing tear gas shells at peaceful groups of students.
Comparing the situation to colonial-era oppression, Kejriwal likened Prime Minister Modi to General Reginald Dyer, the British officer responsible for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He claimed the current administration's actions against young protesters surpassed the actions of the British.
To support the affected students and their families, Kejriwal announced that the AAP has established a legal team to represent the protesters. The party has also set up a dedicated helpline at 8588833548 for parents searching for children who may have been detained or injured.
Kejriwal stated he would visit RML Hospital to meet those injured during the demonstration. He also planned to go to the Parliament Street police station to demand a list of all registered FIRs, the names of those charged, and details of any individuals detained without formal charges.
Addressing his own absence from the Monday protest, Kejriwal explained he had to travel to Punjab for unavoidable reasons. However, he noted that his son and daughter participated in the demonstration for several hours and faced tear gas fired by the police.
