The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is staging a mass fasting protest across India today to demonstrate against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a corruption case related to the Delhi liquor policy. This protest, termed ‘samuhik upwas’ or mass fasting, is being observed not only in India but also by AAP supporters abroad.
Gopal Rai, an AAP leader, announced that people can participate in the fast from their homes to show solidarity with Chief Minister Kejriwal. AAP MLAs, along with party office-bearers, will gather at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi at 11 am to participate in the mass fasting. Security has been heightened around the protest site, and traffic disruptions are expected in central Delhi due to barricading.
This protest follows the AAP’s call for a ‘gherao’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence last month, during which several AAP leaders and workers were detained by the police.
The AAP has criticized the timing of Kejriwal’s arrest, alleging that it is a ploy by the BJP to hinder his participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Despite his detention, AAP ministers have assured the public that Kejriwal continues to issue orders from the Enforcement Directorate’s lock-up, demonstrating his commitment to governance.
The AAP has asserted that there will be no change in leadership, with Kejriwal continuing to function as Chief Minister even from prison. However, the BJP has dismissed this as a mere publicity stunt.
Kejriwal’s arrest has also united the opposition parties, which have accused the BJP of using central investigative agencies to suppress dissent. Opposition leaders recently held a massive rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan to demonstrate solidarity against the BJP-led government’s actions.
Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 for his alleged involvement in the liquor policy scam. The Enforcement Directorate has accused him of being a conspirator in a scheme that allegedly diverted funds to finance AAP’s election campaigns. Several other AAP leaders and opposition figures have also been arrested in connection with the case, although they deny the allegations and criticize the government for politicizing investigative agencies such as the ED and CBI.
