Tensions are escalating in India as opposition protests surge in the wake of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal. Police detained numerous protesters on Tuesday who had intended to march on the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They were demanding Kejriwal’s release following his arrest last week on bribery charges—a historical moment for Indian politics as this marks the first instance of a sitting chief minister facing such charges.
Around 300 demonstrators, some in riot gear, who had converged in support of Kejriwal at India’s Parliament House, were apprehended and removed from the scene by police. The authorities are expected to release them later in the day.
The accusations against Kejriwal pivot around claims that he and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accepted bribes amounting to 1 billion rupees ($12 million) from liquor contractors—charges that have been refuted by the party. A now defunct liquor policy adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding situation.
The timing of Kejriwal’s arrest, just weeks before India’s general elections scheduled to commence on April 19, has increased political tension in the country. Opposition parties, including the AAP, accuse the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of utilising its power to suppress dissent. On the contrary, the BJP asserts that the law enforcement agencies are operating independently.
The Enforcement Directorate, responsible for Kejriwal’s arrest, has labelled him as the ‘kingpin and key conspirator’ in the bribery scandal. In response, Kejriwal’s supporters have been staging daily protests since his detention, demanding his release and criticising what they view as a political vendetta.
With the imposition of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code prohibiting gatherings in the vicinity of Prime Minister Modi’s residence, the atmosphere remains charged. As tensions continue to rise between the opposition and the ruling BJP in light of Kejriwal’s arrest, the future implications for India’s political landscape remain uncertain.