AAP alleges cops barged in, cleared out Durga Puja pandals in Delhi; police reacts

A major controversy has erupted over Durga Puja celebrations in South Delhi’s CR Park, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accusing the Delhi Police and the BJP government of impeding the festivities and harassing organisers. The Delhi Police, however, has denied the allegations, saying its actions were aimed at enforcing court-mandated noise pollution rules.The issue came to light after AAP state president Saurabh Bhardwaj, in a series of posts on X, accused the Delhi Police of “harassing” the Bengali community. Tagging the official account of Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, Bhardwaj wrote, “Delhi Police officers are harassing the Bengali community and CR Park Durga Puja Committees like never before. This community is one of the most decent and well-educated sections of Delhi. When the Delhi Govt talks about 24x7 businesses and shops, and most Ram-leelas are allowed past midnight, why the stepmotherly treatment for the Bengali community?”Bhardwaj, a former MLA from Delhi’s Greater Kailash assembly constituency, under which CR Park falls, also alleged that the Delhi Police forcibly entered the B Block Durga Puja pandal and disconnected the electricity, damaging the pandal equipment. Escalating his attack, Bhardwaj said decisions taken by the Delhi administration under the BJP government could have led to a stampede-like situation, similar to the one at West Bengal’s Chorbagan Durga Puja. “BJP has learnt nothing from the West Bengal Durga Puja tragedy. Every year, lakhs of Bengalis and non-Bengalis visit CR Park puja pandals for Durga Puja. It’s an annual ritual, with most visiting in the evenings,” he said.“This year, committees claim pandals and loudspeakers are permitted only till 10 PM against 12 AM last year. Squeezing the evening window by 2 hours will cause crowd swell and chaos. This could lead to a West Bengal-type situation, and the government will prosecute puja committees to hide its own shortcomings,” he added.DELHI POLICE DENIES ALLEGATIONSResponding to the allegations, the Delhi Police denied creating any obstacles at Durga Puja pandals, saying its actions were aimed at keeping noise pollution in check.“Recent claims regarding the CR Park Durga Puja pandal are incorrect. Police intervention is only to ensure court rules on noise pollution. The organisers kept playing loud music past the permitted time, despite agreeing to the rules in earlier meetings,” the official X account of DCP South Delhi said.“Delhi Police is committed to safe festivities for all. We urge everyone to cooperate for peaceful and safe festivities,” it added.The clarification did not satisfy Bhardwaj, who stepped up his attack on the police.“Police tweets have become like PM Modi’s Bhashan – just rhetoric, no substance. Which information is incorrect? Did police forcibly cut the electric connection at CR Park Durga Puja? I called your SHO, and he said he does not know the officially notified cut-off time. Is it a joke? If the permitted time is 12 AM, why were Puja Committee members harassed and humiliated before that cut-off? If the official time is 10 pm, why did BJP-backed Ramlila continue beyond 12 am? Govt cannot send paramilitary forces into a Puja Pandal to heckle organisers,” he wrote.HOW DID INTERNET USERS REACT TO DELHI POLICE'S ACTION?As videos of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel entering the B Block Durga Puja pandal went viral on social media, some users expressed surprise at the developments.“It's not only the pandals. Delhi police and paramilitary forces suddenly came out in full force with sirens blaring & cleared entire CR Park at 11 PM. On being asked it multiple officials of @DelhiPolice said permission has been granted only till 11 PM. Quite surreal to see such scenes in Durga Puja,” one user wrote.Another user said they felt ashamed to be Bengali after seeing such scenes.However, several other users said the CRPF and police personnel were present to ensure safety and security and were not obstructing any Durga Puja pandal.“I live in CR Park. The presence of force is to control the crowd, and that's it, since there are extremely long queues. No one is stopping anyone, and they are here to maintain discipline. Strong posting bullshit,” one user wrote.Another user said everyone needed to maintain law and order and that if permission had been granted only until 11 pm, people should follow the rules.- Ends