Law and order isn’t Delhi govt’s domain, says Speaker

New Delhi

The Delhi Assembly saw a brief uproar on Thursday as AAP MLAs objected to Speaker Vijender Gupta’s statement that law and order is not under the Delhi government’s jurisdiction and cannot be discussed in the Vidhan Sabha.

Gupta was responding to a letter from Leader of Opposition Atishi, in which she accused him of rejecting AAP MLAs’ Special Mention notices on Delhi’s law and order situation. She argued that MLAs regularly raise constituency issues and questioned why discussions on crimes like rape, shootings, and violence against women were being blocked.

If the 70 members of the Delhi Assembly cannot raise concerns about rising crime in their areas, who will? Atishi wrote. She also accused the BJP-led central government of suppressing debates to conceal its failure in handling law and order in Delhi.

Rejecting her claims, Gupta clarified that Special Mention notices must pertain to subjects under the Delhi government’s authority. He accused AAP of misusing Assembly proceedings for political purposes instead of addressing key public issues like pollution, sanitation, and dengue control.

I encourage meaningful debates in the House, but I will not allow discussions meant for political gains or media attention, Gupta stated.

The heated exchange took place during the first budget session of Delhi’s eighth Legislative Assembly.