Kejriwal Criticizes Central Government for Rising Crime in Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 28 (NationPress) AAP National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday criticized the BJP-led Central government and Home Minister Amit Shah for their inability to maintain law and order in the national Capital, which he claimed is facing Mumbai-style gang wars and an alarming increase in murders.

During a press conference on Thursday, Kejriwal stated, 'Over the past year and a half, law and order in Delhi has deteriorated significantly. Business owners are receiving extortion calls, women are dealing with eve-teasing, and there is a notable rise in murders, making Delhi one of the most perilous cities to inhabit.'

Pointing to comments about Delhi becoming the 'rape capital of the world', Kejriwal shared crime statistics, revealing that in 2022, there were 501 murders reported in the city, among the highest in recent years.

'In the last three months alone, at least 20 individuals have been killed in gang-related violence in the trans-Yamuna region,' he mentioned.

'Residents of Delhi are living in fear. They are concerned about being harmed by criminals,' he continued, adding that when the public entrusted him as Chief Minister a decade ago, he fulfilled promises related to improving hospitals and power supply.

However, he emphasized that the Delhi Police and the responsibility for crime control lie with the BJP-led Central government, asserting that it is due to Home Minister Amit Shah's failures that the citizens of Delhi feel unsafe.

'The ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ slogan was introduced by the BJP. We have established schools for girls' education, now it is their responsibility to ensure security for women,' Kejriwal remarked.

Targeting HM Shah regarding the escalating crime in Delhi, Kejriwal questioned, 'These crimes occur within a 20-km radius of Shah’s residence. How can he assure security across the nation when he can't even control crime in his vicinity in Delhi?'

Kejriwal also cited recent incidents including the murder of a police constable in Govindpuri on November 28, the killings of two gangsters in a gang conflict in Farsh Bazar on October 31, a woman's rape in Karol Bagh on October 21, and the shooting of a gym owner in Greater Kailash on September 14 – all occurring within 14 kilometers of HM Shah’s home in central Delhi.

'Is Amit Shah ready to concede that he is incapable of controlling crime in Delhi?' Kejriwal asked.

Addressing the concerns of Delhi residents, Kejriwal stated, 'Women and business owners are the most affected by this lawlessness. In the past year, around 160 extortion calls have been made to business owners. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of victims do not even report these incidents to the police.'

'If business owners refuse to comply, they face threats from gangsters who fire gunshots outside their homes or businesses to intimidate them,' Kejriwal explained.

'Conducting business in Delhi is becoming increasingly unsafe. This is prompting many business owners to relocate outside of Delhi,' he added, while unveiling a map of Delhi that illustrated the crime scene distances from HM Shah’s residence in central Delhi.

This latest critique from the AAP towards the Central government comes just ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, scheduled for February, seemingly aiming to highlight the perceived failures of the BJP-led administration in serving the people of the national Capital.