Hate Speech, Shaheen Bagh, Pakistan And Guns: Delhi Elections 2020 More Polarised Than Any Other?
Over the past few days, the Delhi election 2020 has taken a communal colour and is unlike any election most Delhiites have seen before. Which way will Delhi vote on February 8?
A few years ago, elections in Delhi were more about corruption and law and order. With what Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has achieved, the Delhi Assembly Elections 2020 were, till a few days ago, about the development of Delhi, education, health, pollution and law and order. However, over the past few days, the Delhi election has taken a communal colour and is unlike any election most Delhiites have seen before. With anti-CAA-NRC protests in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh, and the Bharatiya Janata Party calling it a "sponsored stir", this election has taken an ugly turn. Three incidents of firing around the epicentre of protests have made it even more worrisome.
At the beginning of the campaign for Delhi elections, opinion polls had predicted a clear win for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) due to Kejriwal's achievements like cheaper electricity, good government schools and cheaper health. However, over the past few days, some pollsters have been heard saying that the "winds are changing" on the ground with the whole agenda of elections having shifted from "Kaam pe vote" to "Shaheen Bagh". A few days ago, Delhi BJP leader Kapil Mishra was penalised by the Election Commission for tweeting that this election was about "India vs Pakistan". He also called Shaheen Bagh "Pakistan" in one of his tweets.
In his recent election rallies in the national capital, Home Minister Amit Shah has also been heard accusing the Kejriwal government of being "hand in gloves" with Shaheen Bagh protesters. In one of his rallies, Shah also asked the voters to "press the Lotus button so hard that Shaheen Bagh feels the current." MoS Finance Anurag Thakur, too, has been barred from campaigning for slogans "inciting violence". At a recent rally, Thakur was seen and heard chanting "Desh ke gaddaaron ko" as the crowd responded, "Goli maaro saalon ko" (Shoot down the traitors of the country).
Days later, a man wielded a gun at anti-CAA protesters at Jamia and shot at a student, leaving him injured. The gunman, identified as Rambhakt Gopal, was later taken into custody by Delhi Police. A day after that, another man named Kapil Gujjar fired a shot at Shaheen Bagh. A day after that, two men on a two-wheeler reportedly fired gunshots, yet again in Jamia area.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has jumped into Delhi's election scene, seeing an opportunity to take on the Indian state of affairs. On January 30, Pakistan Minister Fawad Hussain tweeted that the people of Delhi must not vote for the BJP. However, Kejriwal took him on asking him to "stay out of India's internal affairs."
Twitter Exchange Between Arvind Kejriwal and Fawad Hussain
People on social media are expressing shock at the "communal" turn that Delhi elections have taken.
Take a Look at Some Tweets:
With many saying that the election in Delhi is now no more about developmental issues, the big question remains as to which way will Delhi vote. Have the Delhi elections really been polarised? If so, who has polarised them? But has polarisation crept into the Delhi voters? The questions will be answered as people vote on February 8 and the results are out on February 11.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 03, 2020 04:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).