AAP Launches ‘Mahila Adalat’ Campaign on Nirbhaya Gangrape Anniversary, Criticized by Opposition
On the 12th anniversary of the horrific Nirbhaya gangrape incident, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has unveiled a new initiative titled ‘Mahila Adalat’ aimed at bringing attention to crimes against women in Delhi. This initiative has drawn sharp rebuke from opposition parties, namely the BJP and Congress, who describe it as a mere political stunt.
The inaugural event of the ‘Mahila Adalat’ took place at Thyagraj Stadium, where AAP’s former chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, opened a discussion focusing on women’s safety and the alleged inadequacies in law enforcement within the capital.
Alongside AAP leaders, the event also featured Samajwadi Party President and Lok Sabha MP, Akhilesh Yadav, indicating a broader political engagement in the discourse surrounding women’s safety.
Chief Minister Atishi addressed the gathering, expressing grave concerns about the safety of women in the capital. In a post on X, she questioned, “For how long will the daughters and women of Delhi live in fear? Women today still hesitate to leave their homes.” She emphasized the alarming statistics of violence against women, stating there are “three to four rapes daily, over 11 kidnappings, and 14,000+ crimes against women each year.” Atishi attributed these issues to the Central government led by the BJP, accusing them of failing to uphold law and order.
“These figures represent a disturbing reality under BJP rule,” she asserted. She pledged that through the Mahila Court initiative, women would take a stand for their rights, proclaiming that they will no longer remain silent.
In a pointed critique, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President Devender Yadav highlighted the irony that Kejriwal, who ascended to power capitalizing on the Nirbhaya tragedy, was now compelled to launch a campaign on women’s security a decade later. “This admission underscores a failure to protect women, shifting responsibility onto others instead of owning up to his shortcomings,” Yadav remarked.
He further claimed that women’s safety in Delhi has long been compromised and suggested that Kejriwal should have addressed these issues with the Union Home Minister much earlier, rather than utilizing them for political leverage as elections approach.
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva was also critical of the AAP initiative, arguing that the campaign’s authenticity is undermined by the tumultuous reputations of some of its participants, including Kejriwal and Yadav. He emphasized that instead of leveraging the Mahila Adalat to make broad claims, Kejriwal should hold himself accountable for previous mishandlings of justice concerning incidents affecting women.
Sachdeva highlighted the hypocrisy in inviting Akhilesh Yadav, whose father, the late Mulayam Singh Yadav, had controversially dismissed accusations against men charged with crimes against women. He challenged Kejriwal to demand an apology from Yadav regarding his father’s comments, suggesting that a true commitment to women’s safety should start from addressing such past transgressions.
As the campaign unfolds, Sachdeva warned that the public, particularly women, would not be easily swayed by such political maneuvers. He urged Kejriwal to acknowledge the consequential nature of the forthcoming elections, asserting that women are increasingly inclined to support the BJP in response to their concerns for safety and security.
