Minister Detained Amid Protests Over Bus Marshals’ Dismissal
In a fervent display of political activism, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, alongside prominent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Dilip Pandey and several other party affiliates, found themselves detained on Saturday while rallying in front of the Lieutenant Governor’s (L-G) residence. Their protest was sparked by the controversial decision to remove bus marshals from their essential roles, a move set into motion in November 2023 amid considerable uproar surrounding their appointment.
After being taken into custody, Bharadwaj decried the government’s actions, asserting that the Delhi populace was being "cheated" by the decision to eliminate the marshals—individuals specifically deployed to bolster safety across the city’s public transport network. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing war of words between the ruling AAP and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding the marshals’ reinstatement.
The Background of the Bus Marshal Debate
The saga traces its roots back to 2015, when the Delhi government instituted civil defence volunteers (CDVs) as bus marshals, tasked with the vital role of ensuring passenger safety. However, the narrative took a contentious turn in 2023 when the state’s revenue and finance departments challenged their continued deployment, asserting that CDVs should be reserved exclusively for natural disasters rather than public transportation. This prompted the termination of about 10,000 marshals in November 2023, igniting a firestorm of political debate and protests from the ousted marshals.
Since their dismissal, former bus marshals have become increasingly vocal, staging demonstrations demanding their reinstatement—one of which unfolded outside the L-G’s residence, further intensifying the political friction.
Political Tensions: AAP vs. BJP
The strife over reinstating the marshals has emerged as a highly charged battleground between the AAP and BJP. On Friday, accusations flew as Bharadwaj lashed out at the BJP for reneging on earlier support for the marshals. He criticized BJP leaders for their absence during an arranged meeting with the L-G and charged them with failing to advocate for the livelihoods of those affected.
Countering this, Leader of the Opposition Vijender Gupta suggested that the AAP’s actions were laced with political opportunism, accusing them of leveraging the marshals’ plight for electoral gain rather than genuine concern for their welfare.
Assembly Session and Subsequent Developments
The issue has dominated discussions in the Delhi Assembly, particularly on September 26, when a resolution was passed for both AAP and BJP MLAs to meet with L-G VK Saxena on October 3 to advocate for the marshals’ reinstatement. Yet, the anticipated meeting never materialized.
In the aftermath of this failure, Bharadwaj unleashed a volley of criticism towards the L-G, accusing him of dictatorial tendencies and turning a blind eye to the plight of Delhi’s youth.
On Saturday, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, accompanied by both AAP and BJP representatives, made a bid to deliver a formal note to the L-G’s office, seeking approval for the restoration of the bus marshals. This proposal had previously garnered unanimous support from the Delhi cabinet, and the delegation harbored hopes of swaying the L-G’s decision.
As reports of Bharadwaj’s detention surfaced, BJP MLA Gupta confirmed the L-G’s agreement to consider the proposal, announcing plans for BJP MLAs to convene with the Chief Minister on October 5 to further discuss the reinstatement and to advocate for hiring provisions that would prioritize candidates from OBC, SC, ST, and EWS categories.
(With agency inputs)
