The Impressive TimesNEW DELHI, February 27, 2025: Delhi’s Leader of Opposition (LoP) Atishi has written to President Droupadi Murmu condemning the BJP’s Delhi government’s removal of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s portraits from the various offices of the government, calling it an insult to martyrs, Dalits, and marginalized communities. She has pointed out that the ban on AAP MLAs’ entry into the assembly premises, is a “murder of democracy” and a “black spot” on India’s democratic history.
Urging the President to take immediate cognizance, Atishi has sought a meeting on February 28, warning that silencing the opposition will leave people’s voices unheard.
In a letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, Delhi LoP Atishi stated, “I want to bring to your attention a highly serious and sensitive issue that is a direct attack on Indian democratic values. The BJP government in Delhi has removed the pictures of the Constitution’s architect, Babasaheb Ambedkar, and Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh from various Delhi government offices. This is not only an insult to the great heroes of our nation but also a disrespect to the Dalit, and marginalized communities.”
The Delhi LoP further noted, “When the Aam Aadmi Party opposed this move as the opposition and attempted to raise this critical issue in the Assembly, the Speaker, Vijender Gupta, undemocratically expelled 21 AAP MLAs from the House proceedings for three days on February 25.”
She wrote, “Today, on February 27, when AAP MLAs were heading to the Delhi Assembly, they were stopped outside the premises by heavy barricading set up by the Delhi Police.”
“Preventing elected representatives from reaching the Assembly is a murder of democracy. As a result, opposition MLAs had to sit on protest right there on the streets. This is the first time in the history of the country that the opposition was not even allowed to enter the Assembly premises. This incident is a dark stain on India’s democratic history,” stated Atishi.
Expressing concern, the Delhi LoP noted, “If the opposition is silenced like this, who will raise the concerns of the people? A democracy needs both the government and the opposition to function so that the voices of the common people are heard. But what is happening right now is an attempt to suppress the opposition, which in turn is suppressing the voice of the people.”
“In light of this, the Aam Aadmi Party’s legislative group urgently seeks a meeting with you to take appropriate action against this dictatorship. This is not just about Delhi—it signals a crisis for democracy across the country,” she mentioned.
“We hope that you will take immediate cognizance of this extremely serious matter and kindly schedule a time on February 28, 2025, for AAP MLAs to meet with you,” the letter concludes.
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