Delhi’s Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government has given its approval to prosecute Umar Khalid, former JNU student leader, in connection with this year’s anti-Muslim pogrom that left 53 people, mostly Muslims, killed in North-East Delhi. The decision by Kejriwal has evoked angry reactions from netizens who are condemning the Delhi chief minister.
“We have given prosecution sanction in all the Delhi riots related cases registered by the police. Now, it is up to the courts to see who are the accused,” a senior Delhi government functionary was quoted by news agency PTI.
Khalid was arrested by the Delhi Police in September under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his alleged role in the northeast Delhi riots.
The report by PTI added that the Delhi Police had received prosecution sanction against Khalid from both the Delhi government and the Ministry of Home Affairs headed by Amit Shah. The Delhi Police will now officially name Khalid in their supplementary charge-sheet.
As expected, netizens have begun shaming Kejriwal, who won a historic mandate with the support of Delhi’s Muslims in February this year.
Disgraceful @ArvindKejriwal . https://t.co/fxpha647GT
— Suchitra Vijayan (@suchitrav) November 6, 2020
Shame on you @AamAadmiParty and @ArvindKejriwal . Why don’t you merge with the BJP!? https://t.co/2cv5MXhHOW
— Musaddique Qazi (@mfmqazi) November 6, 2020
@ArvindKejriwal @KhanAmanatullah @SanjayAzadSln Shame on you kejri.Amanat leave this party ASAP. https://t.co/LenyBsY65e
— Plural India (@plural_india) November 6, 2020
Shame on @AamAadmiParty – shame on you @ArvindKejriwal !
— Madhumita (@mmazumdar2014) November 6, 2020
The Delhi Police have faced widespread condemnation for targeting innocent Muslims for February’s pogrom and turning a blind eye to BJP leaders for their provocative speeches that, many believed, led to large-scale bloodshed in India’s national capital.