Delhi, August 8, 08.08.2023 – The National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, has ignited a sharp response from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal labelled the day as a “black day for democracy in India,” expressing grave concerns over the legislation’s impact on the autonomy of the Delhi government.
In a poignant statement, Kejriwal criticised the bill, asserting that it strips away the power of the elected government of Delhi, rendering the votes of the people meaningless. He remarked, “The votes of the people of Delhi no longer have any value; they have elected a government but that government has no powers anymore.” The Chief Minister expressed the belief that the bill effectively enslaves the people of Delhi and leaves them devoid of a functional government with real decision-making authority.
The passage of the bill has ignited further controversy as it coincided with reports of a demolition drive in Nuh, a region previously hit by communal violence. The Punjab and Haryana High Court intervened in the matter, raising questions about the targeting of properties belonging to a specific community under the guise of law and order concerns. The court questioned whether the ongoing actions could be seen as an “exercise of ethnic cleansing” rather than a legitimate response to a law and order issue.
Highlighting the alleged lack of proper procedure in issuing demolition orders and notices, the Division Bench of Justices G S Sandhawalia and Harpreet Kaur Jeewan called for an immediate halt to any ongoing demolition if it was not carried out in accordance with the law. The court emphasised the importance of adhering to the legal process to prevent any potential violations of rights.
The events surrounding both the passage of the Delhi Services Bill and the demolition drive have brought to the forefront questions about governance, democratic principles, and the protection of minority rights. As the concerns raised by Chief Minister Kejriwal and the court resonate, discussions about the implications of these developments on India’s democratic fabric are expected to intensify in the coming days.
