The death toll in the northeast Delhi’s worst riots over the amended citizenship law climbed to 38. While 34 deaths were recorded at GTB Hospital in Dilshad Garden, three have been recorded at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital and one death has been recorded at Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital. There was no exact figure for the number of arrests; however, 48 FIRs were lodged in relation to the violence. Delhi Police transferred the riots probe to the crime branch and formed two special investigation teams.
The opposition Congress took the issue to President Ram Nath Kovind. The party accused Home Minister Amit Shah of “abdication of duty” and urged Kovind to call for his resignation. On the other hand, the BJP hit out at the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for ‘politicizing’ the riots. The party accused the Congress of instigating violence.
Amidst the blame game, the AAP hinted at strict action against those who incited communal violence in northeast Delhi. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is also the national convener of his party, said no rioter, whichever political party they belong to, should be spared and if anyone from the AAP is found guilty, double punishment should be given.
When Delhi’s northeast is in a cauldron, union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said there is no question of going back on the Citizenship Amendment Act, but the government would try to convince people opposing it.
Every citizen of the country would wish to see Delhi, being the national capital, as the most peaceful region of the country. Such violence in the national capital portrays the country’s image in an undesirable way to the globe. Hope peace prevails and justice is given to the victims of the riots.