Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday, accusing him of failing to ensure the security of Delhi residents.
The remarks came after AAP MLA Naresh Balyan, who had reportedly been receiving repeated threats from a gangster, was arrested in connection with an extortion case. Kejriwal also visited Tilak Nagar to meet victims of recent shooting incidents, drawing attention to what he described as a breakdown of law and order in the national capital.
Speaking at a public gathering, Kejriwal said, “Being the Union Home Minister, the law and order is the responsibility of Amit Shah. We want him to provide security to the people of Delhi. We don’t want any politics. We only want you to do your work.”
Kejriwal emphasized the threats faced by MLA Naresh Balyan, stating, “Our MLA Naresh Balyan received threats from a gangster 35-40 times last year. He filed written complaints with the police five times. Our MLA is the victim, yet yesterday he was arrested. What message does this send? That if you receive a threat and complain about it, you will be arrested? This is not the right message.”
Balyan was produced before the Rouse Avenue Court on Sunday and remanded to two days of police custody. He was arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch on Saturday in connection with the extortion case.
Kejriwal also addressed the media earlier in the week, asserting that law and order in Delhi is the Union government’s responsibility. He highlighted his own record as Chief Minister, stating, “Ten years ago, I was given the responsibility of schools, electricity, health, and water. I fixed it all. The condition of the water has improved. But the responsibility of security in Delhi is of the Centre. Amit Shah’s responsibility is to maintain law and order in Delhi. Amit Shah has failed to fix the law and order in ten years. Delhi is being called the rape capital, the gangster capital. Today, women and businessmen are the most scared.”
Kejriwal further pointed to gang violence in Delhi, claiming, “Nearly 20 people have lost their lives in gang wars on the Yamuna side alone.”
In a separate incident, Kejriwal faced a personal attack during a padyatra in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area when an unidentified individual threw liquid at him.