Poll | Should Kejriwal apologise for calling Delhi cops 'thullas'?

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal came under fire after he used the word 'thulla' to describe Delhi policemen in an interview to a television news channel last Friday.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal came under fire after he used the word 'thulla' to describe Delhi policemen in an interview to a television news channel last Friday.

In his interview to India Today, Kejriwal said: "A case can be lodged by the anti-corruption branch against anyone for being involved in corrupt practices. But these people say you can't lodge a case against members of the Delhi Police. If a 'thulla' of the Delhi Police asks a roadside vendor for money, a case should not be registered against him, this is not acceptable."

The word has not gone down well with the police officials who complained they were hurt. A Delhi Police constable has also lodged a complaint of criminal defamation against Kejriwal.

Reacting over Kejriwal's remark, Delhi Police commissioner BS Bassi said he could not believe any person would use such a word. "I believe all institutions and instrumentalities of the state must have respect for each other. Nation-building can be done only when we have mutual respect for each other. I refuse to believe that the honourable chief minister has said any word of this sort," Bassi said.

The ongoing tug-of-war between chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi Police was also reflected on social media as #ThullaKejri became the top Twitter trend.