"Some Judges Think Cops Shouldn't Act Until Protesters Turn Violent": Meenakshi Lekhi

The opposition allegations of home ministry's complicity in the inaction of the Delhi Police during the four-day violence in northeast Delhi, were countered by the BJP's Meenakshi Lekhi today.  Putting up a spirited fight in the Lok Sabha as the long-pending discussion on the Delhi violence started, Ms Lekhi claimed that it was owing to the government's efforts that the violence came to an end in 36 hours. As an explanation for the initial delay, she said, "Some judges think police shouldn't act until protests turn violent... Under the circumstances, it is difficult to gauge when a peaceful protest will turn violent".

The violence -- which started in northeast Delhi in the last week of February as a clash between those protesting between the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act and those supporting it in Jaffrabad -- had cost more than 50 lives. More than 200 people were injured.

The opposition Congress, which for days have been demanding a discussion on the issue in parliament, alleged that the violence continued for days because of the inaction by the Delhi Police. The police, it said, was taking orders from the Union home ministry, to which it reports.

Referring to hate speeches by a section of BJP leaders, seen as one of the key factors that contributed to the violence, Ms Lekhi said "Anurag Thakur and  Parvesh Verma were blamed for the Delhi violence. Anurag and Verma made comments on Jan 20 and Jan 28 respectively, while the violence started on February 23".

The BJP's Kapil Mishra, she said, was held responsible for acts of suspended Aam Aadmi Party leader Tahir Hussain, Amanatullah Khan and Jamia student Sharjeel Imam.

"Some people have a history of setting things ablaze. I have data which shows who was responsible whenever incidents of violence took place in country," Ms Lekhi said.

The Congress has been demanding a discussion on the Delhi violence since the second half of the budget session started last Monday. But Speaker Om Birla gave a date after Holi for the discussion, saying the situation at the time was "not appropriate". Since then, the Congress and other opposition parties pushed their demands everyday, leading to uproar and frequent adjournments in both houses of parliament.

Speaking at the Lok Sabha earlier today, Congress's Adhir Ranjan Choudhury said, "Delhi  has the Supreme Court, Prime Minister, President, Military headquarters... We condider its police a model police force, there is no dearth of weapons technology, you can call in the paramilitary force... so how could this violence continue for three days?"

Mr Choudhury also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing the myth of Roman emperor Nero fiddling while Rome burnt. As theb violence escalated on February 24, the Prime Minister had multiple engagements with US President Donald Trump, who was a two-day visit to India.