At least 30 retired police officers have written to President Draupadi Murmu pointing out the behaviour of Delhi Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal towards the Gujarat police officer while he was going to the residence of an auto-rickshaw.
Last week, the Delhi CM went to meet with an auto-rickshaw driver and his family. He was stopped by the police officers who offered him the security that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) itself had requested for the Delhi CM during his Gujarat visit.
Kejriwal had a verbal spat with the officer, and a video of their argument was circulated by the party on social media.
The letter carried the names of former DGP of J&K SP Vaid, and former DGP of Maharashtra, Praveen Dixit, as the coordinators.
“…In view of the forthcoming Gujarat State elections, the Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, recently visited Ahmedabad with a view to campaigning for the political party he represents,” the letter reads.
“In ordinary circumstances, the Chief minister’s visit would have been a routine and uncomplicated event. However, the incidents that have unfolded as a result of Kejriwal’s recent visit to the city of Ahmedabad have raised some worrying concerns,” it read.
It said, while partaking in campaigning activities in Gujarat, Kejriwal sought to utilise public transport to visit the household of a rickshaw driver. The police officials that are enjoined with the duty of safeguarding the security of the Chief Minister acceded to this request.
In order to ensure that the requisite level of security was maintained and to prevent any untoward lapses in the Chief minister’s safety, the concerned police official stated that he would accompany the Chief Minister to the location. However, in response to the police officer’s prudent suggestion, Kejriwal made certain distasteful and inconsiderate remarks. The curt remarks have caused deep injury to the police force, it said.
Considering that Kejriwal is the Chief minister of India’s capital city, the police force is duty-bound to ensure his safety. It was disheartening to note that in order to score a political brownie point, Kejriwal conducted himself in a manner that utterly belittled the police officers for diligently obeying their duties. The letter stated that by stating that the police officials of Gujarat are a black spot on the security provided by the state, Kejriwal sought to gain public validation and praise, albeit, at the expense of the police forces.
The letter also read, “Unfortunately, Kejriwal has also orchestrated such events in the past. In 2017 during the run-up to elections in the State of Punjab, Kejriwal raised a similar grievance with the Punjab police, even asking for a complete withdrawal of security. In response, the Punjab Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) addressed a firm letter stating that the police were duty-bound to provide security to the Chief minister. It is noteworthy that soon after campaigning concludes, Kejriwal in a completely conflicting stance is quick to cite “threat perception and allege that the police forces of the country do not offer him sufficient protection.”
We state that through his unpleasant words and actions, Kejriwal intended to paint himself as a political martyr, however, in doing so he has unfairly created a spectacle of the police force not only in the state of Gujarat but also throughout the country.
We therefore humbly request you to intervene as the Head of State and counsel Kejriwal against such high-headed and boorish behaviour that is intended to undermine the police force of our country, it added.