Despite BJP’s so-called ‘four-engine government’ in Delhi, a pujari of Kalkaji temple was brutally beaten to death — not just a murder, but an attack on faith itself. AAP leader and Kirari MLA Anil Jha said this shocking incident exposes the utter failure of BJP and Delhi Police, who boast of protecting religion across the country but could not save a pujari in the capital. Law and order has collapsed, criminals are emboldened, and murders, loot, theft and rapes are rising under incompetent hands.
Addressing a press conference, senior AAP leader and MLA Anil Jha pointed to Delhi’s deteriorating law and order, stating, “The Aam Aadmi Party is extremely concerned about the worsening situation in Delhi. Both at the Centre and in Delhi, the BJP is in power. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Cantonment Board, NDMC, DDA and the LG are all under the BJP. The BJP projects itself as the biggest protector of religion. It has run movements for temples, for saving temples, and for the upkeep of pujaris. Yet today, in the national capital, the BJP government’s intelligence appears to have completely failed.”
Referring to the Kalkaji temple incident, Anil Jha said, “Just 6–7 kilometres away from New Delhi is the renowned Kalkaji temple. During Durga Puja, lakhs of people visit for darshan. The BJP has always claimed that law and order in Delhi is strong. Yet, the pujari of Kalkaji temple has been brutally murdered. This is not just a matter of concern, but a complete failure of the BJP government. Despite intelligence inputs and warnings from local sources, Delhi Police loosened security, leading to the pujari’s murder. This case is truly shocking.”
Questioning Delhi Police’s approach, he stated, “Abhishek Dhania is the DCP of East Delhi. During a press conference about a ₹25 lakh ransom, he said that the name of Lawrence Bishnoi ‘Sahab’ has come up. This reflects the mental bankruptcy of Delhi Police. Law and order in Delhi is in the hands of incompetent people. On one hand, the BJP says it will never compromise on matters of religious faith, but on the other hand, under BJP’s rule, temple pujaris, gurdwara granthis, mosque maulanas and church pastors are not safe. Is the BJP simply beating a false drum of strong law and order from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi?”
Calling the Kalkaji murder an attack on faith, Anil Jha said, “This incident is not just a failure of Delhi Police but also proof that criminals are emboldened in Delhi. There is no fear of law among criminals, and Delhi Police is unable to instill that fear. Instead, Delhi Police files false cases against innocent people. ED is being misused. This is what the BJP is focused on, while incidents of loot, theft, atrocities against women, rapes and other crimes are continuously rising. Delhi’s so-called strong law and order exists only on paper.”
Expressing concern for women’s safety, Anil Jha said, “Today, law and order in Delhi is such that even if a woman is travelling in a car at midnight, she does not feel safe. A video had gone viral in which two women were heard saying that between 12 midnight and 2 am, even if two sisters step out together, they cannot feel safe under this law and order. Such fear among women raises questions on the BJP government and Delhi Police’s claims of security. The situation in Delhi is spiralling out of control and law and order has completely collapsed on the ground, while Delhi Police remains unaware.”
Extending solidarity with citizens, he asserted, “The Aam Aadmi Party stands with the people of Delhi and appeals to everyone to unite against the crumbling law and order. Shame on the BJP and its government. Earlier, BJP leaders used to accuse another party of calling Osama Bin Laden ‘Osama ji’. Now even BJP is calling a gangster ‘Sahab’. What difference remains between the two? BJP may thrive on religious frenzy, but it cannot even protect a simple pujari performing puja in a temple. The Kalkaji incident is a slap on BJP’s face and proves that law and order has been reduced to nothing.”
Urging police independence, Anil Jha said, “Delhi Police must not succumb to political pressure, because BJP will try to twist this case and pass it off as a personal rivalry. In Delhi, BJP has four engines of power, law and order is in its hands, yet how could a temple pujari be murdered? Even then, how can BJP not be held accountable? People across Delhi must stand up in the fight to secure justice for the temple pujari. The Aam Aadmi Party will stand firmly with them. This incident happened because of Delhi Police’s failure. The central government has failed to provide security to Delhi’s citizens. Today, our people are not safe — neither at the borders, nor in the nation’s capital.”
