Swastika controversy: Nazi, Hindu symbols are different, AAP tells BJP
Facing flak over a controversial tweet which its party chief Arvind Kejriwal put out last week, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday said it was only meant as an attack on German dictator Adolf Hitler. Kejriwal had shared an image of a broom, his party's symbol, chasing a Swastika, and the tweet was termed Hinduphobic by many, including BJP leaders. Here's what happened.
Backstory: Without putting much thought, Kejriwal shared controversial picture
On March 20, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted a picture he received as a forward. The image showed a broom chasing a Swastika, the Hindu symbol used by Hitler's Nazi army, and soon all hell broke loose. Delhi BJP Chief Manoj Tiwari tweeted, "It hurts to see power hungry @ArvindKejriwal berating Hindus nd Hinduism when it suits his vote calculations. (sic)."
It was an attack on Hitler, clarified AAP in statement
AAP released a statement to clarify on the controversy and said BJP was building "false narrative" by claiming the party insulted Hindus. "The tweet was simply an attack on Hitler and his way of operating. The BJP should, first of all, understand the difference between Hindu and Nazi symbols," the statement read. It added BJP was being foolish by claiming Nazi symbol as its own.
AAP said BJP should apologize to Hindus
"The BJP should apologize to Hindus for relating them with Germany's Hitler and for simply trying (to take) a cheap shot at the Delhi CM," the AAP said.
After Kejriwal tweeted image, BJP approached EC
Notably, BJP had approached the Election Commission with Kejriwal's tweet and claimed it violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The saffron party alleged the picture was intended to disrupt communal harmony. Delhi BJP leader Vijender Gupta had questioned Kejriwal's intentions and asked what message he wanted to deliver. "We demand that their party is invalidated and strict action taken against them," he added.
Separately, SC lawyer wanted action against Kejriwal too
Kejriwal's tweet miffed many people. A few days ago, Supreme Court lawyer Alakh Alok Shrivastava wrote to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik accusing Kejriwal of hurting Hindu sentiments. He claimed the post could fuel hatred. "I request you to immediately register an FIR against Kejriwal under Sections 295A, 153A, 153, 504 and 505 of the Indian Penal Code," Srivastava wrote in his complaint.
