Expressing grave concern over “public safety, religious freedom and police accountability”, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has lodged a formal complaint at the Amar Colony police station. The complaint has been filed after Christian women were allegedly harassed, abused and threatened while celebrating Christmas dressed as Santa Claus in Garhi Market, Amritpuri, Delhi.
According to a release issued by the party, on Saturday, Aam Aadmi Party Delhi State President Saurabh Bhardwaj, Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha and Delhi State General Secretary Adil Ahmed Khan reached the police station and demanded registration of FIR against anti-social elements for trying to incite hatred between communities and hurting religious sentiments.
Several councilors and members of the Aam Aadmi Party’s legal team, including lawyer Hrishikesh Kumar, were present when the written complaint was submitted to the SHO. Saurabh Bhardwaj shared the written complaint submitted at the police station on X with the Delhi Police Commissioner (DCP).
Tagging the DCP, she wrote, “The whole world has seen the videos of people doing hooliganism to women celebrating Christmas. Threats, abuses and intimidation happened. Later the SHO visited the spot, still no FIR was registered. Today I have filed a complaint at Amar Colony police station. We know Amit Shah will not let you file this FIR. I have also given the names of some people who can be identified in the video.” So if you don’t file this FIR, we will approach the court.”
Before filing the formal complaint, AAP Delhi state president Bhardwaj said, “We have come to Amar Colony police station. Santa Claus has also come with us because a few days ago, on December 22, everyone saw on social media how in Amritpuri market area, right in front of Garhi and ISKCON temple, some women and children were celebrating Christmas wearing Santa Claus caps. Some mischievous elements threatened them, snatched their caps, Abused them and chased them away from there, so that they could not celebrate their festival.”
The AAP Delhi unit chief said the incident was widely reported but ignored by the police, adding, “That video started circulating on internet media from December 22 and was shared by thousands and lakhs of people.”
The video was viewed by millions of people across the world on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms, causing serious damage to India’s image. There was a perception globally that despite the oppression of minorities in India, the government and police remain silent.
Saurabh Bhardwaj said, “Seeing the image of India being tarnished globally due to this incident, a written complaint was lodged at the police station. Since it is a cognizable offence, any citizen of the country is entitled to lodge a complaint. It is extremely shameful that crores of people have watched this video, yet no case has been registered by the Central Government or the Delhi Police. Therefore, it is necessary that wherever in the country people spreading hatred or inciting conflict between two communities, hurting religious sentiments If any attempt is made to hurt or misbehave with anyone, cases should be registered immediately.”
Saurabh Bhardwaj claimed, “I personally tagged the police commissioner on Twitter, but still nothing happened. That’s why today we have come with Santa Claus to the police station to lodge a complaint. Our lawyers are with us.” After filing the complaint, Saurabh Bhardwaj said, “This time Santa Claus is really angry because the way the attempts of religious incitement were made all over India on Christmas Day and the days before, are extremely disturbing. Various small right-wing organisations, somewhere like Bajrang Dal, somewhere like Vishwa Hindu Parishad and somewhere else, sabotaged the Christmas preparations, broke the statues of Santa Claus with sticks and kicks, and deliberately promoted religious incitement by playing bhajans and kirtans where Christians gathered in churches to celebrate Christmas.”
Referring to the local incident, he said, “In the Amritpuri area under Amar Colony police station, near the ISKCON temple in the Garhi area, some women and small children were celebrating Christmas wearing Santa Claus caps. They were abused, hooliganised, heckled and stopped from celebrating Christmas. From the photographs and videos, we have identified two names. One is Abhishek, who lives around the ISKCON temple, and the other is Banwari Lal of Amritpuri.” The names have been mentioned in our complaint.”
Saurabh Bhardwaj talked about receiving the complaint and demanded strict action, saying, “We want the police to register an FIR in this matter. I appeal to all the secular people of the country to lodge a complaint wherever such hooliganism occurs, be it Indore, Assam, Chhattisgarh or anywhere else. Otherwise, such incidents will become common. Complaints are necessary to stop this hooliganism.”
Warning of legal action, Saurabh Bhardwaj said, “We don’t have much hope that the police will file an FIR. If they do not file an FIR on time, we will go to court, file a private complaint and get an FIR registered. In such cases, we will fight till the Supreme Court.”
Responding to a media question, he said, “When an FIR is registered against us, everyone from BJP Mandal Presidents to Union Ministers gets involved in it, as if some extraordinary achievement has been achieved. But there is silence in such matters.” Saurabh Bhardwaj said, “Santa Claus can also fall ill. If you can fall ill, then why not Santa Claus? When Rekha Gupta carries an air purifier and the Prime Minister’s residence also has air purifiers. If purifiers are installed, why can’t Santa Claus fall sick? Santa Claus is sick because of pollution, but these people want to suppress the news related to pollution.
