Delhi BJP chief asks partymen refrain from acts that send ‘wrong message’; Kapil Mishra remains defiant

New Delhi, February 25

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari appealed to all the party leaders on Tuesday to work towards establishing peace in the national capital and not to do anything that causes “confusion” and sends a “wrong message” to people.

Tiwari, who attended an all-party meeting convened by Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier in the day, also said everyone should refrain from making “inflammatory” statements.

BJP leader Kapil Mishra, who led a pro-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) rally at the Maujpur Chowk on Sunday, has been accused of delivering a “provocative” speech at the event.

“Shri Tiwari appealed to all the BJP leaders to do everything possible to establish peace in Delhi. No leader should do such a thing that causes confusion and portrays a wrong message among the people. Everyone should refrain from making inflammatory statements. Intentionally some people are trying to mislead the common people of Delhi,” a statement issued by the Delhi BJP said.

Strongly condemning the violence that has claimed 11 lives in the national capital since Monday, the statement said all political parties should rise above party politics to restore peace in Delhi as soon as possible.

 “The violent incidents taking place during the protests are disturbing. All the people in the country have the right to speak and hold peaceful protests but not to disturb the public in the name of demonstration,” it added.

Accompanied by Union minister Harsh Vardhan, Tiwari also met the family members of Delhi Police Head Constable Ratan Lal, who was killed in the violence on Monday.

He expressed grief over Lal’s death, saying attacks on policemen and common people were extremely unfortunate.

Former Delhi Congress president Subhash Chopra, who also attended the all-party meeting called by Shah, said he recommended formation of peace committees and strict action against those making “provocative” statements.

Chopra hit out at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who offered prayers at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat along with other AAP MLAs on Tuesday, saying he should make “solid” efforts to restore peace in the city. 

Defiant Kapil Mishra 

Facing flak for his speech, Kapil Mishra remained defiant on Tuesday saying he was not scared of the "massive hate campaign" against him for "speaking truth" and supporting the amended citizenship law.

Mishra, a former AAP MLA who unsuccessfully contested the recent Assembly polls on a BJP ticket from Model Town, led a gathering in support of the CAA at Maujpur Chowk in  Jafarabad area on Sunday, after which violence erupted between pro and anti CAA groups.

 In a series of tweets on Tuesday, Mishra said that he was being abused and issued "death threats" and stressed that he did not commit any crime by supporting the amended citizenship law.

 "I have received calls by many to kill me. Many people including politicians and journalists are abusing me. But, I am not scared because I have not done anything wrong," Mishra told PTI.

Mishra also attacked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who held a meeting with MLAs of violence-hit areas in northeast Delhi on Tuesday.

"Why did you not appeal in your speech to open the blocked roads in Delhi? Being the chief minister, you should immediately appeal for opening of roads. Why are you saving rioters blocking the road?" Mishra alleged in a tweet.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinderpal Singh Bagga also tweeted in support of Mishra.

Without naming Kapil Mishra, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi alleged that the violence was a result of "incitement by a former MLA and BJP leader" and it cannot be termed as communal riot.

"I believe that this whole thing cannot be called a communal riot. It started because an ex-MLA of BJP stood shoulder to shoulder with a DCP and openly gave an ultimatum," he alleged in his interaction with mediapersons in Hyderabad. PTI