Gandhinagar: As many as 30 retired cops have penned down a letter to the President of India objecting Delhi Chief Minister and AAM Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal’s misbehavior with a Police officer in Gujarat. The former officers have requested the President of India to intervene as the Head of State and counsel Mr. Kejriwal against such high headed and boorish behaviour that is intended to undermine the police force of our country. The officers have stated that by stating that the police officials of Gujarat are a black spot on the security provided by the State, Mr. Kejriwal sought to gain public validation and praise albeit at the expense of the police forces.

It’s worth noting that Kejriwal had entered into the argument with city police official during his Gujarat visit last week. Kejriwal who had arrived in Gujarat via chartered plane was staying at luxurious Taj hotel in Ahmedabad. From the hotel, Kejriwal wanted to sit in an auto rickshaw to reach  Ghatoldiya area for a dinner. With his security concerns in mind, a local police officer insisted Kejriwal to sit in a car instead of rickshaw. Kejriwal however entered into rough arguments with police officer on duty and managed to get captured the arguments in video for its circulation over social media and play victimhood in BJP ruled State. As Kejriwal continued to insist, the police officer sat with driver on front seat and the convoy reached the place of dinner. Kejriwal was widely criticized for his rough arguments with  a police man who was only doing his duty. It’s worth noting that a few days ago the Gujarat unit of AAP had given a written representation demanding security for Kejriwal during his Gujarat visit as they were fearing an attack on him during his Gujarat visit. However during verbal fight with police man, Kejriwal repeatedly stated and insisted that he didn’t want any security.

Kejriwal's gross misbehavior with a Police officer in Gujarat; Former DGPs write letter to President requesting her to intervene as Head of State and Counsel him https://t.co/fLwAh7wx2Z pic.twitter.com/B4jKAQAoGf

— DeshGujarat (@DeshGujarat) September 20, 2022

Full text of the letter

20.09.2022
To
The Honourable President of
India Rashtrapati Bhavan,
New Delhi
Subject: Misbehaviour of Delhi Chief Minister with the intention to undermine the police force of our country

Respected Rashtrapati Ji,
As you are aware, in light of the upcoming elections, the State of Gujarat is
witnessing extensive campaigning from various political parties including visits
from several high-profile political leaders. Each politician is putting forth their best
foot so as to cement a victory for their respective political parties. These
campaigning efforts, taken by political leaders across the spectrum, is not out of
the ordinary. In fact, such robust campaigning demonstrates the essence of Indian
democracy. By virtue of offering free and fair elections, members of every political
party are afforded the right to communicate their visions and aspirations to the
general public.

In view of the forthcoming Gujarat State elections, the Chief Minister of Delhi, Mr.
Arvind Kejriwal recently visited Ahmedabad with a view to campaign for the
political party he represents. In ordinary circumstances, the Chief Minister’s visit
would have been a routine and uncomplicated event. However, the incidents that
have unfolded as a result of Mr. Kejriwal’s recent visit to the city of Ahmedabad
have raised some worrying concerns. Whilst partaking in campaigning activities in
Gujarat, Mr. Kejriwal sought to utilise public transport to visit the household of a
rickshaw driver. The police officials that are enjoined with the duty of safeguarding
the security of the Chief Minister acceded to this request. In order to ensure that
the requisite level of security was maintained and to prevent any untoward lapses
in the Chief Minister’s safety, the concerned police official stated that he would
accompany the Chief Minister to the location. However, in response to the police
official’s prudent suggestion, Mr. Kejriwal made certain distasteful and
inconsiderate remarks. These curt remarks have caused deep injury to the police
force.

Considering that Mr. Kejriwal is the Chief Minister of India’s capital city, the police
force is duty bound to ensure his safety. It was disheartening to note that in order
to score a political brownie point, Mr. Kejriwal’s conducted himself in a manner
that utterly belittled the police officers for diligently obeying their duties. By stating
that the police officials of Gujarat are a black spot on the security provided by the
State, Mr. Kejriwal sought to gain public validation and praise albeit at the expense
of the police forces.

Unfortunately, Mr. Kejriwal has also orchestrated such events in the past. In 2017
during the run-up to elections in the State of Punjab, Mr. Kejriwal raised a similar
grievance with the Punjab police, even asking for complete withdrawal of security.
In response, the Punjab Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) addressed a
firm letter stating that the police were duty-bound to provide security to the Chief
Minister. It is noteworthy that soon after campaigning concludes, Mr. Kejriwal in
a completely conflicting stance is quick to cite “threat perception” and allege that
the police forces of the country do not offer him sufficient protection.

This recurring sequence of events makes it evident that the commotion created by
Mr. Kejriwal with regards to the provision of security in Gujarat, akin to the hue
and cry made in Punjab in 2017, is a consistent narrative carried out as a gimmick
to influence public sentiments, injuring the morale and dignity of police forces.

Therefore, Mr. Kejriwal’s comments and actions in Ahmedabad are shocking, more
so considering that in the past Mr. Kejriwal has himself made several requests for
heightened security. However, solely in pursuance of political gains, he has to the
contrary made open remarks against protection from police forces. Such uncalled
remarks and deprecatory behaviour, have serious implications on the security
protocols that have been put in place for decades. By refusing to follow these
protocols, Mr. Kejriwal could have exposed himself to the threat of an untoward
incident that could well have an effect on his physical well-being. Further, in
making such comments, Mr. Kejriwal has used language that is bound to lower the
esteem of the police force at large. It is relevant to note that whilst police officials
safeguard political figures as a result of their duties, they are not to be treated as
subservient individuals that function at the beck and call of those that they protect.
The use of such demeaning language by a public personnel, that too occupying the
position that Mr. Kejriwal holds, will prove detrimental to the public perception of
the police force. It was disheartening to see Mr. Kejriwal’s lack of respect for the
police forces that work tirelessly to ensure that he is able to conduct his business
with ease. Whether the officer in a question is a constable of the lowest rank, or the
Director General of the Police, every member of the police force is entitled to be
treated with due respect and dignity. We believe that a verbal tirade, such as what
was on display, is unbecoming of a Chief Minister of India’s capital.

Further, whilst it is undisputed that political leaders are free to conduct
unrestricted campaigns and rub shoulders with the general public, they must not
forget that by virtue of the offices they hold, police officials are required to ensure
that they are protected by round-the-clock police surveillance. Therefore, Mr.
Kejriwal cannot on one hand expect police officials to provide him with full
security, whilst on the other brusquely refuse security at times that he believes are
politically beneficial.

We state that through his unpleasant words and actions Mr. Kejriwal intended to
paint himself as a political martyr, however, in doing so he has unfairly created a
spectacle of the police force not only in the State of Gujarat, but also throughout
the country. We therefore humbly request you to intervene as the Head of State
and counsel Mr. Kejriwal against such high headed and boorish behaviour that is
intended to undermine the police force of our country.

Coordinators

S.P. Vaid, IPS Praveen Dixit, IPS
Former DGP, J&K Former DGP, Maharashtra
(List of Signatories Attached)

 

1 Sri P.C Dogra, IPS Former DGP, Punjab
2 Sri B.L. Vohra, IPS Former DGP, Tripura & DG, SSB
3 Sri Vikram Singh, IPS Former DGP, UP
4 Sri Sudhir Kumar, IPS Former Member, CVC and Secretary (Security)
5 Sri Praveen Dixit, IPS Former DGP, Maharashtra
6 Sri M.G. Raman, IPS Former DGP, Kerala
7 Sri R.N. Singh, IPS Former DGP, UP
8 Sri Bhanu Pratap Singh, IPS Former DGP, UP
9 Sri Umesh Kumar, IPS Former DGP, Andhara Pradesh
10 Sri Anil Kumar, IPS Former DGP & DG, Special Police Establishment, MP
11 Sri M.N.Krishnamurthy, IPS Former DGP, Kerala
12 Sri Krishna Prasad, IPS Former DGP & Chairman, Road Safety Authority, Telengana
13 Sri S.K.Bhardwaj, IPS Former DGP, Bihar
14 Sri Alok Srivastava, IPS Former DGP, Andhara Pradesh
15 Sri Padmanabhan R, IPS Former DGP, Kerala
16 Sri T P Senkumar, IPS Former DGP, Kerala
17 Sri K Rajendra kumar, IPS Former DGP, J&K
18 Sri S P Vaid, IPS Former DGP, J&K
19 Sri Muniswamy Mohan Raj, IPS Former DGP, Assam
20 Sri Pradeep Gupta, IPS Former DGP, Assam
21 Sri R K Mishra, IPS Former DG Homerguards & Fire, Bihar
22 Sri Nageshwar Rao, IPS Former Actg Director, CBI
23 Ms Nirmal Kaur, IPS Former DGP, Jharkahnd
24 Sri Mahesh Singla, IPS Former Special Secretary, MHA
25 Sri Harisena Verma, IPS Former Special Secretary, IB
26 Sri C.S.Parcha, IPS Former Addl DGP, WB
27 Sri Deepak Mishra, IPS Former Special DG, CRPF & SCP, Delhi
28 Sri U.D Joshi, IPS Former Addl DGP, Maharashtra
29 Sri A K Shukla, IPS Former Addl DGP, Tripura
30 Sri Gopal Hosur, IPS Former IGP, Karnataka