AAP calls for citywide protest against arrest of Arvind Kejriwal

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has declared its plans to organize a candlelight march and perform effigy burning throughout Delhi on Sunday to protest the BJP’s actions following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal.

The party’s announcement on Saturday articulated their objection to what they describe as the BJP’s authoritarian tactics and the unfounded arrest of Kejriwal, urging Delhi’s residents to publicly demonstrate their support for the Chief Minister. “This demonstration is a call for unity in defense of Arvind Kejriwal and signifies a critical moment in our campaign against the current administration,” the AAP stated.

Arvind Kejriwal was detained on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over allegations tied to the now-defunct excise policy. Following his arrest, Kejriwal has sought legal recourse, challenging his arrest and subsequent detention through a plea in the Delhi High Court, labeling the actions against him as ‘illegal’ and demanding his immediate release.

The plea, aiming for an expedited review by the Acting Chief Justice, requests a hearing on Sunday, March 24. The ED, retaining Kejriwal’s custody until March 28, accuses the AAP of being a significant recipient of illicit gains from the alleged liquor scam, a charge that led to Kejriwal’s remand to ED custody for six days by the Rouse Avenue Court on Friday.

This development marks a historic moment, as it’s unprecedented for a serving Chief Minister of independent India to be arrested. Kejriwal, who has previously ignored nine summons from the ED, deeming them “illegal,” finds himself at the center of a political storm that has sparked significant public and political discourse.