Education minister Sood seeks Kejriwal apology in dog row
Sood argued that Kejriwal’s comments could not be brushed aside as a misunderstanding, given his long experience in governance.
Delhi education minister Ashish Sood on Tuesday wrote to former chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, demanding a public apology for what he termed “disinformation” regarding school teachers being tasked with counting stray dogs.
In a letter dated January 5, Sood criticised Kejriwal for social media comments that he said were harming school operations. “As education minister, I cannot, and will not, permit such practices to interfere with the welfare of children or the functioning of schools,” Sood wrote. “I appeal to you that, as a former chief minister, you should make a public apology to the people of Delhi for spreading disinformation.”
The exchange marks the latest escalation in a spat triggered by a post by Kejriwal on X, in which he referred to a November 20 government order appointing nodal officers in schools to address stray dog-related concerns in line with Supreme Court directions. The order was misrepresented online as instructing teachers to count strays. Kejriwal had alluded to this interpretation in a post on X.
Sood argued that Kejriwal’s comments could not be brushed aside as a misunderstanding, given his long experience in governance. “Unfortunately, such conduct reflects a continuing pattern wherein the AAP indulges in what can best be described as ‘shoot-and-scoot’ politics — making allegations, creating sensations, and then retreating from responsibility,” the letter said.
{{/usCountry}}Sood argued that Kejriwal’s comments could not be brushed aside as a misunderstanding, given his long experience in governance. “Unfortunately, such conduct reflects a continuing pattern wherein the AAP indulges in what can best be described as ‘shoot-and-scoot’ politics — making allegations, creating sensations, and then retreating from responsibility,” the letter said.
{{/usCountry}}The BJP sharpened its attack, with Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva demanding that Kejriwal and Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj delete their posts. “If Kejriwal does not delete his X post within the next 24 hours, we will demand action from the Commissioner of Delhi Police on the complaint filed by the Delhi government,” Sachdeva said.
{{/usCountry}}The BJP sharpened its attack, with Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva demanding that Kejriwal and Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj delete their posts. “If Kejriwal does not delete his X post within the next 24 hours, we will demand action from the Commissioner of Delhi Police on the complaint filed by the Delhi government,” Sachdeva said.
{{/usCountry}}The AAP declined comment on the issue.
{{/usCountry}}The AAP declined comment on the issue.
{{/usCountry}}The controversy spilled into the Delhi Assembly, where BJP MLAs raised slogans and held placards demanding an apology from Kejriwal, leading to two adjournments.
{{/usCountry}}The controversy spilled into the Delhi Assembly, where BJP MLAs raised slogans and held placards demanding an apology from Kejriwal, leading to two adjournments.
{{/usCountry}}Speaker Vijender Gupta later announced he was referring the matter to the department-related standing committee on education for examination. “The said committee shall examine the matter and submit its report to the House at the earliest,” Gupta stated.
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