Delhi BJP hails HC order directing AAP to pull derogatory videos on CM Rekha Gupta
Synopsis
The Delhi High Court has directed AAP to take down videos targeting Chief Minister Rekha Gupta — a ruling BJP is using to press for a full public apology. With a Karwa Chauth poster depicting the CM carrying liquor bottles already referred to the Delhi Commission for Women, the row is fast moving from social media mudslinging to institutional and judicial territory ahead of the 2027 MCD elections.
Key Takeaways
The Delhi High Court directed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on 7 November to remove objectionable videos targeting Chief Minister Rekha Gupta .
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra welcomed the order and demanded an unconditional apology from AAP to CM Gupta and the women of Delhi.
A separate AAP poster released on Karwa Chauth — taglined 'Har Ghar Rekha, Ghar Ghar Theka' — depicted the CM carrying liquor bottles, prompting BJP to file a complaint with the Delhi Commission for Women .
BJP Spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor alleged the poster used the logo of a reputed news channel, calling it misleading and an attack on media credibility.
BJP warned AAP would face electoral consequences in the 2027 MCD elections over what it called an anti-women stance.
The Delhi High Court on Saturday, 7 November directed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to remove objectionable videos targeting Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, a ruling that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Delhi unit swiftly welcomed — while demanding an unconditional public apology from the opposition party.
BJP's Reaction to the Court Order
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra said the court's direction vindicated the party's long-held position that AAP leaders have consistently shown disregard for women. 'By creating such a derogatory video targeting the Chief Minister, AAP has not only insulted the Chief Minister but also disrespected all the women of Delhi,' Malhotra said.
Malhotra demanded that AAP immediately pull the videos from all social media platforms and issue an unconditional apology to both Chief Minister Gupta and the women of Delhi at large.
The Objectionable Poster That Triggered the Row
The controversy had earlier escalated over a graphic poster released by AAP on social media on the occasion of Karwa Chauth. According to Delhi BJP Spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor, the poster depicted Chief Minister Gupta carrying a basket of liquor bottles on her head, with the logo of a reputed news channel superimposed on it — a detail Kapoor described as both misleading and an attack on media credibility.
The poster carried the tagline 'Har Ghar Rekha, Ghar Ghar Theka', which BJP characterised as a deliberate insult to women's dignity. Kapoor questioned whether depicting a sitting woman Chief Minister in such a manner was not an affront to every mother and sister in the city.
BJP Files Complaint with Women's Commission
Prior to the High Court's direction, the Delhi BJP had announced it would file a formal complaint with the Delhi Commission for Women over the poster. Kapoor argued that the content hurt the respect of women and warranted investigation. The party also alleged that AAP was weaponising its own earlier, reportedly failed, liquor excise policy to mock the incumbent Chief Minister.
'This is not any new scheme of home delivery of liquor. This is the same failed liquor policy that was brought in by AAP during its own government, which was never even promoted. Now, using that failed policy as a weapon, they are mocking the woman Chief Minister,' Kapoor said.
Political Stakes and the Road to 2027
The BJP framed the episode as part of a broader pattern, alleging that AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has historically not given adequate respect to women within his own party. Kapoor warned that Delhi's voters would deliver a 'befitting reply' to what the BJP called an anti-women mindset in the 2027 MCD elections.
This comes amid an already charged political atmosphere in Delhi, where the BJP and AAP have been locked in sustained confrontation since the BJP's return to power in the city. The High Court's direction adds a judicial dimension to what had been a largely political dispute, and AAP's compliance — or lack thereof — is likely to shape the next phase of the controversy.
Point of View
Framing every AAP provocation as an assault on women's dignity rather than engaging on policy. What is notable is that the BJP's complaint to the Delhi Commission for Women and the High Court proceedings are running in parallel, suggesting a coordinated institutional strategy rather than spontaneous outrage. AAP, for its part, has consistently used satirical political content as a campaign tool, but the Karwa Chauth poster — with its appropriated news channel logo — crossed into territory that courts and regulators are now willing to scrutinise. The 2027 MCD elections are the real backdrop here: both parties are calibrating every move for the next electoral cycle, and women voters in Delhi remain a decisive constituency neither can afford to alienate.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Delhi High Court direct AAP to do?
The Delhi High Court directed the Aam Aadmi Party to remove objectionable videos targeting Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The order came on 7 November and was welcomed by the Delhi BJP, which also demanded an unconditional public apology from AAP.
What was the controversial AAP poster about?
The poster, released on Karwa Chauth, depicted Chief Minister Rekha Gupta carrying a basket of liquor bottles on her head with the tagline 'Har Ghar Rekha, Ghar Ghar Theka'. It also reportedly carried the logo of a reputed news channel, which BJP called misleading and an attack on media credibility.
What action did Delhi BJP take over the poster?
Delhi BJP announced it would file a formal complaint with the Delhi Commission for Women over the poster. BJP Spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said the content hurt the respect of women and warranted a formal investigation.
Who are the key figures in this controversy?
The key figures are Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra, who welcomed the High Court order and demanded an apology; BJP Spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor, who detailed the poster complaint; and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who is the subject of the disputed content. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal was also cited by BJP in its criticism.
What are the political implications of this row?
BJP has framed the episode as evidence of AAP's disregard for women and warned that voters will respond in the 2027 MCD elections. The High Court's involvement adds a judicial dimension to the dispute, raising the political stakes for AAP ahead of the next electoral cycle.
