By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
Harsh Malhotra Accuses Congress, AAP of Double Standards; Says Chandni Chowk Businesses Will Face No Disruption
NEW DELHI: Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra has defended the party’s proposed “Save Democracy – Remove Anarchy Padyatra”, accusing the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of hypocrisy for opposing the march despite having previously organised road blockades and protests in the capital.
Reacting to the opposition to the proposed march, Malhotra said those who had blocked Delhi’s roads for weeks, citing issues ranging from students’ concerns to the removal of the Election Commissioner, were now objecting to a symbolic two-hour padyatra.
“This is not opposition; it is hypocrisy,” he said.
Malhotra sought to distinguish the BJP’s proposed march from protests organised by opposition parties, asserting that the padyatra would be peaceful, disciplined and conducted within the constitutional framework.
“We will not throw stones; we will shower flowers in honour of democracy,” he said, emphasising the BJP’s stated commitment to a peaceful demonstration.
According to Malhotra, the march aims to oppose what the party describes as an atmosphere of anarchy and to raise public concerns. He alleged that some opposition protests had involved violence, stone-pelting, anti-national slogans and damage to public property.
Addressing concerns over the potential impact on trade and traffic, Malhotra said BJP Yuva Morcha and Trade Cell workers would ensure that commercial activities in Chandni Chowk continued as usual. He added that the programme was symbolic and would conclude peacefully within two hours.
The BJP leader maintained that democratic rights must be exercised responsibly, without causing inconvenience to ordinary citizens or disrupting businesses.
“In a democracy, everyone has the right to dissent, but no one has the right to create anarchy,” Malhotra said, adding that the BJP stood for dialogue, peace and democratic propriety.
The proposed padyatra has drawn objections from the Congress and the AAP, setting the stage for a political dispute over the demonstration’s purpose and its potential impact on the national capital.
