Delhi: Parties condemn incident of vandalism at Christian school

New Delhi: Cutting across party lines, leaders on Friday denounced the alleged vandalisation of a prominent Christian school in South Delhi with Aam Admi Party saying both the Centre and the state have to think about how to prevent such "unacceptable" incidents.

"This is an incident which cannot be accepted. Society can't stand like this. Everyone has to think

about this including the Centre and the state," AAP leader Manish Sisodia told reporters here. "Something needs to be done about it because such incidents have been continuously increasing. It can't be left as a small incident.... People belonging to a religion are praying and others who are not following it are throwing stones at them.

"Let tomorrow's programme happen. We will discuss this with police that how such actions can be controlled because society needs to be kept together. If it is divided then it is a danger for the nation," he said.

The AAP government will be sworn in here tomorrow. Congress leader Arvinder Singh Lovely also condemned the incident saying, "It is a matter of deep concern the way minorities are being attacked continuously. It shows the failure of police and government in maintaining law and order situation."

Another Congress leader, Shobha Jha, said, "It is unfortunate that this is fifth such incident of an attack on minorities, church or schools being ransacked and the government is sleeping." "It is unfortunate that no arrest has been made in the last attack despite people of Christian community protesting against it. This shows the government is insensitive towards security of minorities," she added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today summoned Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi in the wake of the incident and directed him to come down hard against those involved in such attacks.

BJP's spokesperson Sambit Patra, however, said that the incident should not be viewed in religious context. "I don't think this is a targeted attack on a community. The principal has also come to the forefront and maintained that no religious item was attacked and it's a case of theft. Even police commissioner has come out with the same comments on the matter. I think it's unfair to mix religion into every issue," he told reporters. Unidentified persons had allegedly vandalised the school in South Delhi's Vasant Vihar in the wee hours today even as police and school authorities claimed it to be a case of robbery.

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'PM Modi won't be able to attend Kejriwal's swearing-in ceremony'

New Delhi: Delhi's Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed a range of issues related to the national capital including granting full

statehood.

Kejriwal, who was accompanied by senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, reached the PM's residence around 10:30 AM and the meeting lasted for around 15 minutes.

"Arvind told the Prime Minister that both the Centre and the state government enjoy strong majority, therefore, it is a golden opportunity for both to work together to make Delhi a better city," Sisodia told reporters after the meeting.

He added that the AAP Chief also raised the issue of full statehood with the Prime Minister.

Kejirwal also invited Modi to his oath-taking ceremony at the Ramlila Grounds on February 14. However, the Prime Minister expressed his inability as he would be out of the city on that day.

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Kejriwal hits Delhi road running, lists 4 must-do things before Modi govt

New Delhi: A day after leading his party to a landslide victory in Delhi Assembly polls against the mighty Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal today met Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and discussed various issues with him including that of unauthorised colonies in the city and full statehood.

He was accompanied by Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia. “We have discussed four big issues with the minister. Firstly, the issues of the poor such as compensation for them, we will need central government’s help in that. Secondly, the issue of unauthorised colonies on which the Centre recently passed a resolution. So in order to take it forward help will be needed from MCD, DDA and the Centre,” Sisodia told reporters after the meeting.

“We told him that for more schools, colleges, hospitals and parking, a lot of land will be needed so whatever land is available with DDA, we have requested for it.

“And lastly the issue of full statehood. We have been fully assured that without any political divide we will get their support,” he added. Kejriwal is slated to meet President Pranab Mukherjee and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh later in the day.

The Union Minister congratulated Kejriwal and Sisodia on their victory and also reminded them of the responsibility on their shoulders. “AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia met me and discussed about regularisation of unauthorised colonies and other land-related issues. I congratulated them on the victory and reminded them of the great responsibility on their shoulders,” Naidu told reporters.

“I assured him that the Centre is willing to cooperate with the state and contribute to overall interest of people and development but the cooperation will depend on your operation. As the PM has given us guidance that we have to work as a team, we will help them as per the norms.

“If you perform well, we will extend all our support. There is no question of any political consideration whatsoever,” he said.  Kejriwal also extended an invitation to Naidu for the swearing-in ceremony on February 14 at Ramlila Maidan. “He invited me but I have a prior commitment in Kolkata. I have a municipal commissioners meeting which was fixed a month back so I expressed my inability, otherwise I would have been happy to attend that,” said Naidu.

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