The Aam Aadmi Party has challenged Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to "try and stop people from celebrating Navratri". The AAP's challenge came after the Delhi Police on Monday imposed prohibitory orders in the central and border areas of the national capital for the next six days. The Delhi Police imposed the restrictions citing law and order issues, including calls for protests by several organisations.
Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj targeted the Delhi Police and the Lieutenant Governor on Tuesday regarding the restrictions. He said the Hindu festival Navratri begins on October 3 and that lakhs of people will visit temples and Ram Leelas [plays on the Ramayan] every day. Saurabh Bharadwaj said the imposition of the curbs on gathering people right ahead of the Navratri celebrations is only to harass the people of Delhi.
The restrictions, which took effect on September 30, will remain in place until October 5. Areas affected include New Delhi, Central Delhi, North Delhi, and all areas bordering the city.
Saurabh Bhardwaj further said, "What rubbish is this? If he has the guts, let him try and stop us [from celebrating Navratri]. We shall set his brain right."
According to an order issued from the Delhi Police headquarters, Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora has asked for Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (earlier Section 144) to be imposed across all police station areas bordering New Delhi, Delhi North and Delhi Central districts.
The order states that this prohibitory order will remain in effect till October 5. The order states that the general atmosphere in Delhi is sensitive from the point of view of law and order due to various existing issues, such as the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill and the issue of Shahi Idgah in Sadar Bazar area, the political issue of MCD Standing Committee elections and the pending announcement of the results of Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections etc.