Political tensions flared in the national capital on Wednesday as the Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came out in strong support of an anti-encroachment drive conducted in the historic Turkman Gate area. The party condemned incidents of stone-pelting that left police personnel injured and alleged attempts to incite religious unrest.
BJP Condemns Violence, Cites Court Orders
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva stated that the encroachment removal drive was executed following directions from the High Court. He emphasized that government land had been encroached upon by a specific group. "Removing encroachments is the responsibility of every government," Sachdeva said, "but the manner in which some people resorted to stone-pelting at police and attempted to incite religious unrest is unacceptable, condemnable, and cannot be tolerated." He demanded strict action against the miscreants who allegedly instigated the violence.
Police Injured in Overnight Clashes
The demolition drive, which took place overnight, turned violent as local residents clashed with law enforcement officials. At least five police personnel sustained injuries after being pelted with stones by protesters. The situation remained tense in the area following the confrontations.
AAP Calls for Dialogue and Transparency
In contrast to the BJP's stance, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) expressed deep concern over the developments. AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan highlighted the sensitivity surrounding the historic Faiz-e-Ilahi mosque located at Turkman Gate. "The situation being created... is a matter of concern," Khan stated. He clarified the party's position, saying, "We want to make it clear that any decision should be taken only within the framework of the law and the Constitution. Any step without dialogue and transparency can harm social harmony." The AAP stressed the need for communication and openness in handling such sensitive matters.
The incident has sparked a fresh political debate in Delhi, with the ruling AAP and the opposition BJP presenting divergent views on the execution of the court-ordered drive and the subsequent violence, underscoring the complex interplay between law, order, and community sentiment in densely populated urban areas.
