New Delhi: The Delhi Police’s inaction during the three-day riots in the north-eastern part of the city was so bad that it didn’t even respond to a complaint filed by an MP belonging to the ruling NDA.
Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Gujral, who belongs to BJP ally Shiromani Akali Dal, has written a letter to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik, expressing his disappointment about the force’s lack of action in the riot-hit areas of Northeast Delhi.
Gujral, son of former prime minister I.K. Gujral, wrote that he tried to get help for an acquaintance and 15 other Muslims stuck at Ghonda Chowk, Maujpur, one of the epicentres of the violence. He said despite receiving a confirmation message for his complaint, no assistance was provided to these people.
The MP wrote: “I immediately called number 100 to lodge a complaint… At 11:43 pm, I received confirmation from the Delhi Police that my complaint had been received with the reference number 946603.”
He added that his acquaintances only managed to escape because some Hindu neighbours came to their rescue. “If this is what the situation is when a Member of Parliament makes a complaint personally, it is not surprising that certain parts of Delhi continue to burn while the police stands by apathetically.”
Speaking to ThePrint, Gujral said he had also sent copies of the letter to Anil Baijal, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, and the office of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He said his letter aims to draw the police’s attention towards urgent cases in riot-hit areas.
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‘Can’t allow repeat of 1984’
Gujral’s party, the SAD, had condemned the riots and blamed the central government for not managing the law and order situation, without naming the BJP. However, Gujral had previously told ThePrint: “There seems to be a laxity (to contain the violence) on the part of Delhi Police, which comes under the government of India. It’s up to the government of India to contain the situation. Law and order come under them.”
He had added “we can’t allow a repeat of what happened in 1984”, when riots targetting Sikhs broke out in the capital after the assassination of PM Indira Gandhi.
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There’s a lot of insensitivity and hypocrisy.shouldnt all citizens have guarantee if their safety , irrespective of their access to an MP?