Delhi: Man Tries To 'Attack' Arvind Kejriwal During Padyatra, Throws Liquid On Him — Caught On Camera
Delhi News: A man allegedly attempted to attack Arvind Kejriwal and threw liquid at him. Kejriwal's security personnel intervened and apprehended the individual.
In a security scare on Saturday, a man was detained for allegedly splashing a liquid on AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal during his 'padyatra' in Malviya Nagar, south Delhi, police confirmed. Kejriwal, who was interacting with the public behind a security cordon, was approached by the man who threw the liquid on him. Swift action by security personnel led to the man's immediate detention. Kejriwal, along with his security team, was seen wiping his face after the incident.
VIDEO | Security personnel overpowered a man who apparently tried to attack AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal during padyatra in Delhi's Greater Kailash area. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/aYydNCXYHM
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 30, 2024
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) quickly condemned the attack, accusing the BJP-led central government of failing to ensure the safety of Delhi’s leaders. "If a former Chief Minister is not safe in the national capital, where will the common man go?" the party said in a statement. The Delhi Police operates under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj blamed the Modi government for the law and order situation in the national capital. He said, "BJP leaders carry our rallies in all states, they are never attacked... There are continuous attacks on Arvind Kejriwal... BJP attacked him in Nangloi. He was attacked in Chhatarpur... The law and order in Delhi have collapsed and the central government and the Home Minister are not doing anything..."
#WATCH | On the attack on former Delhi CM and AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says, "BJP leaders carry our rallies in all states, they are never attacked... There are continuous attacks on Arvind Kejriwal... BJP attacked him in Nangloi. He was… https://t.co/c1eOFtGczL pic.twitter.com/ZZdKUyY9uT
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
The assailant, identified as a local resident, was taken to the nearby police station for questioning, an officer said, as per news agency PTI.
VIDEO | Man, who allegedly tried to attack AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal during his padyatra in Delhi's Greater Kailash area, taken in to custody by police.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 30, 2024
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/jsUU7Ji4PQ
The incident occurred during Kejriwal’s padyatra rally at Savitri Nagar, a part of his campaign ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections in February.
Arvind Kejriwal 'Attacked': Delhi Police Says Water Thrown At Kejriwal, AAP Claims It Was Spirit
According to the Delhi Police, the attack took place around 5:50 PM while Kejriwal was shaking hands with the public. “A person, identified as Ashok Jha, attempted to throw water on Arvind Kejriwal. He was immediately apprehended by the police as they were in close proximity,” a police spokesperson said, as per ANI. Jha, who works as a Bus Marshal at Khanpur Depot, is currently being interrogated to determine his motives behind the act.
On the other hand, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed that the man had attempted to throw a flammable spirit at Kejriwal. "The person tried to burn him alive. He had spirit in one hand and a matchbox in the other. Thankfully, our workers and the public were alert and prevented the attack from succeeding," he said.
Bharadwaj also alleged the man’s affiliation with the BJP. "We have accessed his social media profile, and it shows that he follows prominent BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath," he added. “We even found his BJP ID card on his profile, and he is an official member of the party.”
VIDEO | "AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal held a 'padyatra' in Savitri Nagar area of Greater Kailash. People in huge numbers, including women, elderly, children, came to meet him. Arvind ji was meeting everyone when suddenly a man threw spirit at him and tried to burn him… pic.twitter.com/8GXP9PtOtU
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 30, 2024
Reacting to the incident, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa dismissed the claims of BJP involvement, suggesting that Kejriwal often resorts to such theatrics during elections. "As soon as elections come, Arvind Kejriwal’s drama begins. Sometimes he gets hit on the face, and sometimes someone throws ink on him, but he will blame the BJP for it. Today, he was in Malviya Nagar without permission when a bus marshal threw water on him. Arvind Kejriwal should stop all this," Sirsa remarked.
Congress leader Udit Raj also commented on the attack, saying, "Nothing can be said, whether it is organised or not. I believe the public is upset. Two people in this country lie a lot: one is PM Modi, and the other is Arvind Kejriwal. He made false promises but did not work for the people."
#WATCH | On a liquid thrown at former Delhi CM and AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal, Congress leader Udit Raj says, "Nothing can be said, whether it is organised or not. I believe the public is upset. Two people in this country lie a lot, one is PM Modi and the other is Arvind… https://t.co/c1eOFtGczL pic.twitter.com/24OJQUFCj2
— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024
More details about the incident are awaited.