Jaffrabad : No action against Kapil Mishra for inciting crowd; Is Delhi Police ‘calm’ on Amit Shah’s advice?

Roads are being blocked by those against the CAA to cut off 35 lakh people in Jaffrabad and neighbouring areas from other parts of the city, Delhi BJP leader Kapil Mishra told a gathering on Sunday, demanding that police remove the protesters within three days.

Mishra led a demonstration before clashes erupted between pro and anti-CAA groups near Jaffrabad in northeast Delhi where a large number of people who have been protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act had blocked a road since Saturday night.

Police fired tear gas shells as members of the two groups pelted stones at each other in Maujpur. For security reasons, the entry and exit gates of the Maujpur-Babarpur metro station were closed.

"They want to cut off 35 lakh people by blocking the roads. Is this the way to protest against anything? We will not allow the area to be turned into Shaheen Bagh," Mishra said.

Mishra issued an ultimatum to the police to clear the roads and warned people will be back if the anti-CAA protesters are not removed.

"Nearly 35 lakh people are affected by these roadblocks. They have no other way to cross the Yamuna. Had I not led them to protest the roadblocks, they would have taken to streets themselves," Mishra told PTI.

A former MLA from nearby Karawal Nagar, Mishra had asked people to gather at Maujpur Chowk in support of the CAA in reply to the roadblock by those protesting against the new citizenship law.

The anti-CAA protesters, including women, had blocked the road near Jaffrabad metro station on Saturday. Another road in Bhajanpura Chandbagh was also blocked by a group of protesters.

Mishra said the people were "frustrated" due to roadblocks as it disconnected them from rest of Delhi.

Taking to Twitter, Mishra said, "We have given a three-day ultimatum to the Delhi Police to get the road cleared. Get the Jafrabad and Chandbagh road cleared".

In a video tweeted by him where he can be seen addressing the gathering, Mishra said, "They (protesters) want to create trouble in Delhi. That's why they have closed the roads. That's why they have created a riot-like situation here. We have not pelted any stone".

"Till US President is in India, we are leaving the area peacefully. After that we won't listen to you (police) if the roads are not vacated by then," he told the gathering.

Mishra said he gave an ultimatum to police as those gathered at Maujpur Chowk would not leave the place unless some "concrete" assurance was offered to them.

Mishra unsuccessfully contested recent Assembly poll from Model Town constituency in recent Assembly poll. He was banned from campaigning for some days due to terming the polls as India-Pakistan contest.

He is known for his hardline views against anti-CAA protests that he often expresses through his tweets.

Despite his insinuating tweets and address, the police did not take any action against him. This raises questions in view of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s suggestion on Sunday that the Delhi police should remain calm while dealing with those disrupting law and order.

Is it because of this ‘suggestion’ by Amit Shah that no action has been taken against the BJP leader as yet?

The Union home minister had also appealed to the people to respect policemen as they were "friends and not enemy." The Union minister said that police ensures peace and security in the country without religion and caste considerations. Hence, he said, police need to be respected.

Speaking at the 73rd Raising Day ceremony of Delhi Police, Shah called it one of the leading metropolitan police forces in the country and the world.

"It (police) helps when needed. It is not an enemy of anyone. It is a friend in maintaining peace and tranquillity. So it should be respected. I appeal to the people that those who criticise the police should be heard. There is no problem with it. But, we should not overlook the fact that over 35,000 policemen have sacrificed their lives in protecting the country since Independence," Shah said.