With the Election Commission announcing the Lok Sabha poll schedule on Wednesday, this newspaper editorially cautioned that probably the country was embarking on its most contentious election exercise ever and that this could test the security arrangements. Confirmation of this was not long in coming as BJP and Aam Aadmi Party workers clashed in Gujarat’s Patan district, New Delhi and Lucknow, right after the poll time table was declared.
This is not a good sign and the police in all states will have to be alert and decisive in defusing situations, and take tough action if need be to ensure that the pitch is not queered for a peaceful casting of ballots.
Fortunately, the AAP has not "graduated" to firearms or other deadly weapons as have several parties in some states. Otherwise, the way things happened at different places on Wednesday could conceivably have led to both escalation and proliferation of violence.
It was also salutary that the AAP leadership appealed to its supporters not to retaliate even if attacked. Other parties should also urge their workers to remain peaceful. Absence of violence is the defining element that separates democratic practice from other forms of politics and governance.
Trouble between the BJP and AAP began in Gujarat with the local police hauling up AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal to check if he had due permission to undertake a road show since the model code of conduct had kicked in with the EC announcing the election process, or so it was claimed by the police (and reiterated by even senior BJP spokespersons afterward). The district magistrate of Patan made it clear, however, that the MCC was not infringed.
Evidently, the understanding of the Gujarat police was faulty. A better appreciation of the situation on its part could have prevented the violence that occurred outside Gujarat later in reaction against the way Mr Kejriwal was treated. It didn’t help matters that the local BJP reportedly attacked Mr Kejriwal’s vehicle. The BJP should caution its cadres to exhibit greater restraint. In New Delhi, however, AAP’s peaceful protest outside the BJP’s headquarters against its leader being questioned changed colour as some of its volunteers sought to push inside the compound (although the police were present), inviting sharp retaliation from those inside. In Lucknow, AAP protesters near the BJP office were beaten up mercilessly with staves by BJP elements.
Such episodes stain democracy. The AAP needs to learn to take the rough and tumble of politics in its stride when it subjects others to vicious allegations without proof. Leaders must advocate restraint.
