Arvind Kejriwal’s release from Tihar jail on Friday led to large celebrations among Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers, but the event stirred controversy as some party members violated the Delhi government’s ban on firecrackers.
The Delhi government had imposed the ban till January of the following year, but that didn’t stop certain AAP supporters from bursting crackers, which has now resulted in an FIR being lodged.
The celebrations unfolded in several parts of the capital, including outside Tihar jail, Kejriwal’s official residence in Civil Lines, and the AAP party office. As Kejriwal walked out of jail, he was greeted by a large crowd of enthusiastic party workers and volunteers. The atmosphere was charged with excitement—people distributed sweets, beat drums, and in some areas, firecrackers were set off despite the existing ban.
The FIR against the unidentified AAP workers was registered at the Civil Lines police station. The action has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The BJP has accused the AAP of double standards, suggesting that the party is fooling the public with what it called “hollow promises.” The use of firecrackers has become a contentious issue in the city, given the government’s previous stringent policies during festivals like Diwali, when the ban was enforced citing environmental concerns.
BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor was quick to condemn the celebrations, pointing out what he saw as AAP’s hypocrisy. Kapoor stated, "Minister Gopal Rai had imposed a ban on firecrackers for Hindu festivals, citing pollution concerns.
However, AAP workers blatantly disregarded this rule to celebrate Kejriwal’s release." Kapoor further urged the Delhi government to take strong action, calling for the identification and arrest of those responsible for violating the firecracker ban.
The issue was quickly taken up on social media, where BJP supporters shared videos of AAP workers bursting crackers, asking why the same environmental concerns that justified the ban during Diwali did not apply in this case. Many raised questions about the enforcement of the ban and the seriousness with which the Delhi government was approaching its own regulations.
Delhi minister Saurav Bhardwaj, when asked about the clear disobedience of the ban, attempted to shift focus by suggesting that BJP leaders had also engaged in similar celebrations in the past.
While he didn’t outright defend the actions of the AAP workers, Bhardwaj’s response indicated that this issue might be used as political ammunition in the ongoing rivalry between the two parties.
This event has only added to the political tension in the capital, where environmental concerns and political manoeuvring are often intertwined. The firecracker ban, which was instituted to curb pollution, has faced opposition from various quarters, particularly from those who see it as unfairly targeting specific festivals.
However, the AAP government has maintained that the ban is in the interest of public health, as air pollution levels in Delhi have been a matter of concern for years.
The firecracker incident is expected to be part of the larger political narrative, with both the AAP and BJP likely to use it to further their agendas. While the AAP will have to answer for the actions of its workers, the BJP will likely continue to focus on the perceived inconsistencies in the enforcement of government policies.
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