The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) intensified its demand for the resignation of Kapil Mishra, for his involvement in the 2020 Delhi riots. Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi, and AAP MLAs raised the issue in the Assembly, demanding the BJP Government sack him from the cabinet. In response, the Speaker ordered marshals to evict AAP MLAs from the House.
AAP leaders then staged a protest near Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in the Assembly complex, holding banners that read “Kapil Mishra Istifa Do” and raising slogans. They condemned the BJP government for shielding someone involved in inciting riots and suppressing voices in the Assembly. Atishi vowed that AAP would not remain silent and would continue its fight for Kapil Mishra’s resignation and arrest.
Delhi Assembly LoP, Atishi, said that the court has ordered an FIR against Kapil Mishra for his role in the 2020 Delhi riots. She stated, “The entire country saw how Kapil Mishra incited riots. Fifty-three people lost their lives in the Delhi riots—their blood is on Kapil Mishra’s hands. He was the one who instigated the violence. Today, all those who have FIRs for the riots are in Tihar Jail. Then why is Delhi Police not arresting Kapil Mishra? Why is Chief Minister Rekha Gupta not removing him from her Cabinet?”
Atishi further questioned Rekha Gupta’s statements on harmony. “She speaks of communal harmony, saying ‘Diwali mein Ali aur Ramzan mein Ram.’ Then why is a minister against whom the court has ordered an FIR for inciting riots still in the Cabinet?”
The Delhi Assembly LoP demanded Kapil Mishra’s immediate resignation, stating, “How can someone involved in riots be a minister? Kapil Mishra is responsible for the 2020 Delhi riots, where 53 people were killed, hundreds were injured, and property worth crores was destroyed. The entire nation saw how he incited violence, leading to the tragic loss of lives.”
“Why is the BJP shielding him? If Kapil Mishra resigns, AAP MLAs will return to the Assembly. But why is the BJP protecting him? Was the BJP complicit in the riots? Is that why they are saving him,” she asked.
Atishi further stated, “There must be no other government in the country where someone who incited riots is made a minister—let alone the Law Minister. Today, Delhi’s law and order is in the hands of someone whom the court has ordered an FIR against for inciting riots. Until Kapil Mishra resigns, AAP’s protest against him will continue.”
AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha also slammed the BJP, pointing to the court’s recent remarks. “On Tuesday, the court clearly stated that there is documentary evidence indicating Kapil Mishra’s involvement in the 2020 Delhi riots. Then why was Delhi Police shielding him all these years?”
He concluded by saying, “For five years, the police never mentioned Kapil Mishra’s name in their investigation. This proves that he was protected at the Centre’s behest. A man responsible for riots, for the deaths of dozens, has no right to remain a minister. We have demanded in the Assembly that the BJP must immediately sack Kapil Mishra.”
