A dangerous situation has engulfed national the capital, with clashes and attacks in the past few days taking a toll of over 20 lives. The scenario was set for a flare-up since Sunday, but the law-enforcing agencies failed to adequately protect the lives and properties of citizens. The situation remained explosive in parts of Delhi as pro and anti-CAA protesters attacked each other.
Notably, the first provocation came from a BJP leader who demanded removal of anti-CAA protesters from roads in a matter of three days, failing which his men would confront the protesters on their own. His main target was batches of women on a sit-in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which originally started in Shaheen Bagh and carried on for weeks in a peaceful manner, and similar protests followed elsewhere too. His provocative speech turned out to be an invitation to trouble.
Other issues too seem to have got mixed up with the present scenario. An intelligence bureau official has been done to death; his family says an AAP leader was behind the killing, while reports said anti-CAA protesters killed him. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal himself is beating his chest as to the way things have turned out immediately after he returned to power. He’s helpless also as the police in the capital is under the control of the Union Home Ministry. It looks strange that the scenes of violence were enacted at a time visiting US President Donald Trump profusely praised India for its sense of unity – and this in a land known for its diversity.
Clearly, the police force in the capital was a confused lot. Since the flare-up has sectarian overtones and since this was happening in areas of minority prominence, cops waited for orders from above as to how things should be handled. And, no word was coming from the Home Ministry. This might have partly to do with the visit of the US President, with a view to avoiding any provocation from the police, but the result was that things went out of control.
The death of as many people in the violence in the well-guarded national capital is a matter of serious concern. An appeal for peace from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at this juncture meant little. At the same time, it is important that no attempt should be made by political parties to fish in troubled waters. Rather they concentrated fully on restoring peace. This is time to display tact and not be on the offensive.