Delhi Assembly Uproar: CM Rekha Gupta's Use of Derogatory Term Sparks Controversy
Delhi Assembly: A statement by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a discussion on the CAG report of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) in the Delhi Assembly on Friday sparked a controversy. Ms. Gupta's use of the derogatory term "thulla" (a Hindi word implying inefficiency or incompetence) to refer to police personnel led to an uproar in the House. The statement angered both the Delhi Police and the opposition. It is noteworthy that former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had used the same term a decade ago and was subsequently forced to apologize.
CM Rekha Gupta's Statement and Opposition Protest
While discussing the CAG report and recounting an anecdote, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta used the term "thulla" to describe police officers, provoking a b reaction from the opposition. The ensuing commotion led to a disruption in the Assembly proceedings. The opposition deemed the remark offensive and demanded an explanation from the CM. The Assembly Speaker subsequently expunged the word from the record.
AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj's Response
Commenting on the incident, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj stated, "I remember when Kejriwal Ji used the word 'thulla,' it caused a significant uproar for days. However, this time, we have been mindful while using the word to ensure that no one's dignity is hurt."
CM Rekha Gupta's Remarks on the Police
During her speech, CM Gupta narrated a story in which she referred to the police as "thullas." She recounted, "In a village, a ration shop was robbed. The shopkeeper complained to the police, but the officers kept eating almonds while investigating the theft. Their behavior was as if they were just 'thullas' standing around, not doing their jobs. This situation mirrored the Delhi government's struggles with inefficient functioning." This statement further fueled the controversy, with the opposition bly objecting.
Kejriwal's 'Thulla' Remark and the Subsequent Controversy
CM Gupta's statement brought to mind a similar controversy involving former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who approximately a decade ago, used the term "thulla" to refer to the police in a news channel interview. This statement generated significant controversy, forcing Kejriwal to issue an apology. Kejriwal had argued that if a Delhi Police officer extorted money from street vendors, the Anti-Corruption Branch should take action.
Police Officials' Objection
Following Kejriwal's statement, the then Delhi Police Commissioner, B.S. Bassi, bly condemned the use of such language, stating, "Using such words is offensive to the police and unacceptable. The police force deserves respect."
