Constitution does not stop CM from protesting: Kejriwal

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Jan 25 2014 | 1:45 PM IST
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who faced flak for his protest in the heart of the capital, today said the Constitution does not prevent the Chief Minister from holding a dharna.
"I read the Constitution, couldn't find anywhere that a Chief Minister cannot hold 'dharna'," he said on criticism to his two-day dharna outside Rail Bhavan.
He also charged that "the media is getting paid to do negative stories on AAP."
Kejriwal's role in leading a protest while holding constitutional office has come under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court which yesterday slammed law enforcing agencies for allowing unlawful assembly of supporters of the Chief Minister in the heart of national capital.
In his Republic Day address at Chhatrasal Stadium here, the Delhi Chief Minister said the Jan Lokpal Bill is almost ready and will be passed at a special session in Ramlila Maidan in February.
Holding that security of women in the national capital is "highly compromised", he said the government has formed a committee under the Chief Secretary for the formation of 'Mahila Suraksha Dal' in the city.
"Security of women in the national capital is highly compromised. It is our utmost duty and priority to provide security to women. We have formed a committee under the Chief Secretary for formation of Mahila Suraksha Dal," he said.
He said that it may not have powers like the police but the force will work like security guards stationed outside buildings and housing societies.
"They will provide security to women. We will have retired army personnel, police and home guards as members of suraksha dal," he said.
Kejriwal also said the committee under the chief secretary will make provisions to ensure that rapists are sent to jail within 3 to 6 months.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 25 2014 | 1:45 PM IST

Next Story