Aam Aadmi Party leaders accused BJP goons of trying to attack former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during his padyatra in West Delhi's Vikaspuri. The Supreme Court has asked the Delhi High Court to quickly hear the bail plea of Sharjeel Imam, who was booked under UAPA for his involvement in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality showed some improvement with AQI in the 'poor' category, but 10 monitoring stations still reported 'very poor' air quality.
Political Unrest and Air Pollution in Delhi: Current and Past Developments
Arvind Kejriwal's Padyatra and Alleged Attack
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders recently accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) goons of attempting to attack former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during his padyatra (foot march) in Vikaspuri, West Delhi. The incident allegedly occurred on August 20th, when Kejriwal was leading a march to raise awareness about inflation and other issues. AAP leaders claimed that BJP workers tried to block Kejriwal's path and hurled stones at him and his supporters.
Sharjeel Imam's Bail Plea
The Supreme Court has directed the Delhi High Court to expeditiously hear the bail plea of Sharjeel Imam, an activist who was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his alleged involvement in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. Imam was arrested in January 2020 and has been in judicial custody since then. The riots, which erupted in February 2020, claimed 53 lives and injured hundreds.
Delhi's Air Quality
Delhi's air quality has shown some improvement in recent days, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the 'poor' category. However, 10 monitoring stations in the city still reported 'very poor' air quality. The pollution is mainly attributed to stubble burning in neighboring states and local sources of pollution, such as traffic, construction, and industrial emissions. The Delhi government has taken various measures to combat air pollution, including the implementation of the Odd-Even vehicle rationing scheme and the ban on firecrackers.
Background and Implications
The alleged attack on Kejriwal is the latest in a series of incidents that have raised concerns about political violence in Delhi. In 2016, a mob of lawyers attacked Kejriwal and his supporters at the Tis Hazari court complex. The AAP has often accused the BJP of trying to suppress dissent and undermine its government in Delhi.
The Supreme Court's directive on Sharjeel Imam's bail plea is significant as it suggests that the highest court is monitoring the progress of the case. The UAPA is a controversial law that has been criticized for its broad and ambiguous provisions, which can lead to the arbitrary arrest and detention of individuals.
The ongoing air pollution crisis in Delhi is a major public health concern. The city's air quality regularly exceeds safe limits, posing serious risks to the health and well-being of its residents. The government and citizens need to work together to implement effective measures to reduce air pollution and ensure a healthier environment.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
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