E-Paper
Sir, spare an hour daily to make Delhi safer: Kejriwal to PM Modi
In latest radio ad, the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal tells PM to either take time out for city’s law and order issues or hand over police to AAP government.
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to either spare an hour daily to take stock of the “deteriorating” law and order situation in the Capital or hand over the reins of the police to his government.
In a latest radio ad that comes close on the heels of a brutal murder of a teenager by her stalker, the chief minister tells the PM - referring to him as ‘Sir’ - that the Delhi government has no control over the police.
“Kanoonan Delhi police seedhe aapke under aati hai and aap uske liye bilkul time nahi de paa rahein hai (The Delhi Police reports to you but you are not giving it enough time),” says Kejriwal in the 1.44-minute radio ad that is being played on various FM stations.
“It is my sincere request that either you devote one hour every day to Delhi’s law and order and fix responsibility or give the police under our direct control. We will fix the system with the help of the people,” Kejriwal says in the ad.
Control over city police, that reports to the home ministry, has long been a contentious issue between the BJP-led centre and the AAP government. It is related to AAP’s demand for full statehood to Delhi.
The Delhi government will also release a print advertisement on Tuesday.
In a similar radio ad, Kejriwal appealed to the people not to remain mute spectators and urged them to raise their voice against crime in the city. The ad starts with Kejriwal recounting the incident of Anand Parbat and criticising the police for not doing enough for women safety.
“Few days back a girl was stabbed to death in broad daylight. Apparently a few men used to harass her. My deputy and I met the parents of the family and the people of the area too. They told us police are not visible at all. Such cases are increasing every day. The entire law and order situation has crumbled in the city. People don’t feel safe, especially women,” says Kejriwal in the ad.
The AAP government has allocated `526 crore for publicity. The government said it will spend the money to raise awareness about the government’s achievements and schemes. However, the opposition had criticised the move, saying the money could have been spent on development.
Stay on ads rejected
The Delhi high court on Monday refused to stay the advertisements of the Delhi government allegedly glorifying chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in defiance of SC guidelines on such ads.
Justice VP Vaish said the court would wait for the Centre’s response before passing any interim order on the plea filed by an NGO, Nyayaa Path.
The judge also issued notice to the Centre, asking it to file an affidavit within one week and fixed the matter for further hearing on August 3.
The NGO has also sought a direction to the Delhi government to immediately withdraw a recent television advertisement and “restrain itself from such type of image building exercise of Arvind Kejriwal”.
The Kejriwal-government had on July 12 come out with an advertisement with tagline ‘Wo pareshaan karte rahein, hum kaam karte rahein’ (they trouble us, but we continue to work).
Read: Sparks fly after Bassi, Kejriwal meet over law and order in city
Delhi cop files complaint against CM Kejriwal for 'thulla' remark
Stay updated with all top Cities including, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and more across India. Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News along with Delhi Election 2025 and Delhi Election Result 2025 Live, New Delhi Election Result Live, Kalkaji Election Result Live at Hindustan Times.
