New Delhi: The grim and violent situation in parts of northeast Delhi completely displaced US President Donald Trump’s visit on social media.
First off, everyone has been wondering about Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s no-show Monday.
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap reminds Kejriwal of his duty: with great power comes great responsibility.
यह @AamAadmiParty ने दिल्ली चुनाव जीता थ ना ? अभी कहाँ है @ArvindKejriwal और उनके आपिए? तुम्हारी दिल्ली जल रही है। क्या @AmitShah ने ख़रीद लिया है AAP को या खुद ही अपना ज़मीर बेच खाए हो।
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) February 24, 2020
A Twitter user dug out a 2013 tweet by Kejriwal that doesn’t make him look good.
Dear Mr. Chief Minister, the internet doesn't forget. https://t.co/Lz0UOwEEsg
— r/India on Reddit (@redditindia) February 24, 2020
Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia tries to absolve Delhi of any role in the violence — instead, he levels charges at an easy target, ‘the outsider’.
लगता है शहर में दरिंदे घुस आए हैं. ये हमारी दिल्ली की आम जनता नहीं है. ये लोग जिस भी धर्म जाति क्षेत्र से हैं इन्हें तुरंत पकड़कर अंदर डालना चाहिए. कड़ी सजा मिलनी चाहिए. जो भी हो.
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) February 25, 2020
As Delhi burns, check out Delhi’s BJP MPs — where are they, what are they saying?
Well, four Delhi BJP MPs have commented while the other three are mum.
Manoj Tiwari and Hans Raj Hans appeal to protesters and the people of Delhi…
ये मेरी दिल्ली को क्या हो गया है ..
जो भाई बहन शाहीन बाग में सड़क पे धरने पे बैठे हैं CAA (citizen amendment act) के विरोध मे.. उनसे ये अपील है मेरी pic.twitter.com/HpPQ5T7iNY
— Manoj Tiwari (@ManojTiwariMP) January 14, 2020
ऐ मेरे प्यारे दिल्लीवासियों आप तो प्यार बाँटने के लिए पूरे विश्व में जाने-जाते हो, इतना ग़ुस्सा ना करो, संपत्ति चाहें सरकार की हो या व्यक्तिगत, नुक़सान और खोने का दर्द तो सबको ही होता है । हाथजोड़कर वक बार पुनः विनती करता हूँ, प्यारे लोगों और बच्चों किसी के बहकावे में मत आओ ।
— Hans Raj Hans (@hansrajhansHRH) February 24, 2020
Meanwhile, Meenakshi Lekhi and Gautam Gambhir pay homage to a policeman killed in the clashes, which is only correct but what about the civilians who have died?
Extremely sad to hear about the death of Senior Police Constable Shri Ratan Lal during violent anti CAA protests.There is no scope for violence in democratic protests. I request everyone to maintain peace and urge @DelhiPolice to take strict action against the culprits. pic.twitter.com/1PobrXWKka
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) February 24, 2020
BJP’s Subramaniam Swamy thinks anti-democratic methods are the only way to rescue democracy — but wouldn’t that be ‘anti-national’, sir?
Rajnath Singh should advise Amit Shah to call for the Army to deal with Anti CAA violence. If Amitji agrees it will be a blow to our democratic tradition but bringing to an end this violence is as important for our democracy to survive. Anti CAA agitation is anti national.
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) February 25, 2020
Author Chetan Bhagat looks at PM Modi entertaining Trump while Delhi is up in flames and draws a homely parallel.
Papa is sitting with guests in the drawing room and family members are fighting loudly in the other room. Very bad.
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) February 25, 2020
BBC’s South Asia chief Nicola Careem is much tougher in her comments.
Gokulpuri, in #Delhi today. The BBC saw mobs of people with sticks and stones chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Parts of Delhi are witnessing the worst violence and rioting India’s capital has seen in decades. Seven confirmed dead. #DelhiViolence pic.twitter.com/8b1VWH1mdl
— Nicola Careem (@NicolaCareem) February 25, 2020
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi comments on the violent clashes through the words of the poet, Aamir Aziz.
Tum Hamara Qatl Kardo
Hum Banke Bhoot Likhenge
Tumhare Qatl Ke Saare Saboot Likhenge
Tum Adaalaton Se Chutkule likho
Hum Deewaron pe Insaf Likhenge
Tum Zameen pe Zulm Likho
Asmaan pe inqalab likha jaayegha
SAB YAAD RAKHA JAAYEGA
Written by Aamir Aziz pic.twitter.com/5brkwHUjTr
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) February 24, 2020
From the opposite side of the political spectrum is BJP’s Kapil Mishra, who has also taken to verse now, after delivering a three-day ultimatum to Delhi Police to remove anti-CAA protesters.
ये भाषा
सड़के बंद करने वालो के खिलाफ बोलो
आसाम को, कश्मीर को तोड़ने वालो के खिलाफ बोलो
पुलिस से नफरत के नारे लगाने वालों के खिलाफ बोलो
पत्थरबाजों से सुहानुभूति दिखाने वालो के खिलाफ बोलो
लेकिन तुम भूखे मर जाओगे
तुम्हारा घर झूठ बोलकर चलता हैं
तुम्हारा धंधा झूठ पर टिका हैं https://t.co/ad1e1FyFvS
— Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) February 24, 2020
Inspired by Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP’s IT cell head Amit Malviya has his own ‘chronology’ of events leading up to the clashes in Delhi.
आप chronology समझिए…
पहले जामिया और शाहीन बाग करवाया जाता है, हिंदुओं को फ़्री का झाँसा देकर ‘आप’ चुनाव जीत जाती है।
दंगाइयों की हिम्मत बढ़ जाती है..
जाफराबाद
मौजपुर
बाबरपुर
गोकुलपुरी
करावल नगर
भजनपुरा
घोंडा
चांदबाग
में फिर दंगे होते है लेकिन दिल्ली का मुख्यमंत्री ग़ायब है!
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 25, 2020
What should Modi learn from Trump? Former Indian Youth Congress president Rajeev Satav has a suggestion.
President of USA can address a Press Conference in India,but our PM is scared to face the media.
As the PM talks about historical association between the oldest & largest democracy,he must take some lesson from his Friend Mr. Trump & address a press conference.#TrumpInIndia https://t.co/1KIycJE75E
— Rajeev Satav (@SATAVRAJEEV) February 25, 2020
Pakistani-origin singer Adnan Sami gives an unwarranted lesson on ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’.
Dear people,
Please..🙏
We have guests in the house…Therefore let’s do our Mehmaan-Nawazi & put our best foot forward.😇🥰
Once they’ve been seen off in a ‘Baa-Izzat’ way, Uske baad, beshak “Khulay Khao tey Nangay Nahao” & continue Hasb-e-Mamool “Tufaan-e-Badtameezi”!!🥳🤪🤨🤩— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) February 24, 2020
And finally, after Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein’s conviction in a rape case, Hollywood actors and Weinstein’s accusers welcome the guilty verdicts.
I'm proud of the brave women who testified, they have taken out a monster on earth. Thank you to the prosecutor & jury who said not one more. Thank you to the public for examining things more deeply. I can finally exhale
— Rose McGowan (@rosemcgowan) February 24, 2020
For the women who testified in this case, and walked through traumatic hell, you did a public service to girls and women everywhere, thank you.#ConvictWeinstein #Guilty
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) February 24, 2020