A political slug-fest has followed the communal violence in the Jahangirpuri area of Delhi post a demolition drive undertaken by the BJP-ruled municipal corporation. The Aam Admi Party, which rules the national capital, has been vociferous in its reaction and yet has been doing a tight-rope walk that steers clear of the politically sensitive question of whether the minorities are being targeted.
In the aftermath of violence in Jahangirpuri as a Hanuman Jayanti procession passed through the area on April 16, which was a few days later followed by the demolition drive, the AAP has been involved in a war of words, with the two parties accusing each other of instigating unrest, sheltering those involved in the riots and helping illegal encroachments thrive.
There has been an all-around attack by AAP leaders on the BJP, which has on its part accused the ruling party of Delhi of sheltering those responsible for the communal violence in the Jahangirpuri area.
While Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is also AAP's national convenor, has maintained silence on the developments, party leaders including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, Atishi, Raghav Chadha, Saurabh Bharadwaj were unleashed to take on the BJP following the demolition drive.
Also, the AAP has now launched a nationwide survey, asking people to respond to two questions – whether they believe the BJP is spreading goondagardi and hooliganism all over the country; and if they agree the AAP is a party of honest and educated people.
The AAP has listed the Jahangirpuri episode as a series of incidents such as the vandalism that BJP supporters allegedly indulged outside Kejriwal's official residence in the capital and the running over of farmers by BJP functionaries, including a union minister's son, in Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh. The AAP has alleged that the prime accused in the Jahangirpuri violence is associated with the BJP.
While the AAP has gone to the extent of saying that the BJP headquarters should be bulldozed, it has steered clear of the communal question looming large over the incident. The party has rather accused BJP leaders of establishing Bangladesh and Rohingya settlements all over India to use them as pawns for their rioting and violence.
As the AAP, which recently scored a stupendous victory in the Assembly elections in Punjab, looks to expand its nationwide footprint, it has been making a conscious effort to evade the BJP's efforts to raise questions about its Hinduness or its commitment to nationalism. As part of the endeavour, Kejriwal has worn his Hindu devoutness on his sleeve, reciting the Hanuman Chalisa and visiting temples. In this backdrop, communal violence in the national capital has indeed placed the party in a tight spot.
