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Why Aam Aadmi Party should “mind their language”

From a role model, Arvind Kejriwal has become a known lawbreaker and a loud-mouth too.

After winning people`s trust, a newly formed political party came to power in the national capital. To relate more with the masses, they had christened themselves as the ‘Aam Aadmi Party’ (AAP) and the party convenor Arvind Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi. It was so easy to relate with a man like him, who not only captured the trust of people but even sold them a dream of a better life. Though always outspoken, the difference after a few days of being into power is that his words are now drenched in arrogance, rather than sounding revolutionary. The story had begun with the formation of ‘India Against Corruption’ under the leadership of anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare. Year 2011, brought into spotlight a group of people who had galvanised the people’s power into a revolutionary change for the betterment of society. Anna Hazare, who led the group, went on an indefinite to fast to bring about that revolution and usher in better governance. Next to him was seen a committed, loyal and articulate Arvind Kejriwal, whose task was to give motivating speeches which could make the common masses understand the reason behind their campaign. However, to fulfil his latent desires, Kejriwal broke-off with Anna and joined politics. After which the scenario changed and became overwhelmingly depressing. From a role model, Kejriwal has become a known lawbreaker and a loud-mouth too. For example, he called all politicians and bureaucrats as ‘chor’ (thief) and corrupt. And now, for the first time a chief minister is being seen agitating on the streets with his ministers and party supporters. The reason behind this protest was that some Delhi Police officials allegedly denied conducting raid at midnight and that too without a warrant, on the unlawful demands of the State Law Minister Somnath Bharti. Kejriwal lead the planned protest outside Rail Bhawan in the national capital while demanding action against the said police officials over two more incidents in which they allegedly failed to take action. What were these three incidents of police `negligence` after all: Busting an alleged prostitution racket involving some African nationals residing in Khirki Extension in South Delhi, failure of the cops in nabbing those involved in a dowry death case in West Delhi and preventing the gang-rape of a Danish woman near the New Delhi railway station. Since, Delhi Police falls under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Home Affairs, Kejriwal also demanded that the Delhi government should be given control of the Delhi Police. The appeal was later denied by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde. Although the agitation has been now called off, some statements given by Kejriwal and Bharti during the agitation have been highly derogatory. On the one hand, forgetting the dignity of the Chief Minister’s office, Kejriwal said, “Who is Shinde to tell me where to protest and where not to. I am the chief minister of Delhi and I have the right to decide not Shinde, instead I should be able to decide where Shinde can stay." On the other hand, using demeaning language, Bharti said, “I want to spit on the faces of BJP leader Arun Jaitley and senior lawyer Harish Salve to tell them to mend their ways... I warn you, the public is going to hound you and beat you." Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley and lawyer Harish Salve had earlier criticised the midnight raid in the Khirki Extension area. Bharti’s diatribe against the Delhi Police, with complete disregard of the law, has come under severe scanner and criticism from every quarter. But the arrogant leaders of the AAP have not stopped here. Kumar Vishwas, the poet-turned- politician of AAP, who is all set to challenge Rahul Gandhi in Amethi, stars in a YouTube video where he is seen speaking in a derogatory manner for the nurses of Kerala in a ‘kavi sammelan’. It is not only derogatory, his language is extremely sexist too. Kumar was found jesting in the video, “Pehle jab aadmi bimar padhta tha bechara purush to jata tha haspatal mein toh tassali rakhta tha. Pehle narsein jo thee Keral se aati thi, kaali peeli si. Toh moonh se `sister` nikalta tha. Andar se aavaz nikalti thi ki `Allah, sister hi ho!` Bahut saari ladkiyan profile pe photo lagati hi nahi, ki pata nahin kya ho jaye. Ab aaj kal to nurse bhi north India ki aane lagi, ekdum bilkul shandar (Earlier men were comfortable with nurses because they came only from Kerala. They were dark that the men were happy to call them `sister` and no more. Many of these girls wouldn`t even put up their profile photos. Now there are north Indian nurses, who are absolutely glamorous.)”
Although Vishwas has apologised, his jibe has put the AAP in a tight spot again. Language seems to have become the biggest enemy for the youngest political party of India. As a famous saying goes- “Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.” Arvind Kejriwal must realise that he needs to rein in his ministers and members of his Aam Aadmi Party to survive a longer political battle. It is more important for the party to put their entire energy in governing Delhi properly than courting controversies by their silly actions every other day.