In a recent statement, the Delhi High Court criticized Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for prioritizing his political interests over the national interest. The court made this remark while addressing a case regarding the non-supply of books to children in MCD schools. We will highlight the events leading up to the court’s statement and the arguments presented by both the Delhi government and the Aam Aadmi Party.
Background:
The Aam Aadmi Party, which controls the Delhi government, has often claimed that the schools under their administration have improved significantly. However, in the recent MCD elections, the Aam Aadmi Party secured a majority, resulting in the MCD being under their control. The new academic session began, but the MCD failed to supply books and stationery to the children, leading to a petition being filed in the Delhi High Court.
Current Education Model of Delhi
Advocate Ashok Aggarwal, has filed a case criticized the Delhi government for its lack of essential facilities in government-run schools.
Aggarwal claimed that the reality of the highly praised Education Model in Delhi is far from what is advertised. He mentioned the lack of basic facilities such as water supply, uniforms, and textbooks in these schools. He even went on to say that he had personally witnessed classrooms with 140 students and three sections sitting together in one class, without any water facility. He also mentioned that the same conditions were observed in Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools.
Aggarwal reminded the Delhi government of the Right to Education Act, which entitles students to receive textbooks, notebooks, writing materials, and uniforms. He pointed out that out of the 8 lakh students studying in MCD schools, none of them have received these essential items. Similarly, the 10 lakh students under the Delhi government from standard 1 to 8 have also not received their books, despite the High Court’s criticism of the government.
The Delhi High Court’s Statement:
The Delhi High Court also criticized the Delhi government for its delay in supplying textbooks to 2 lakh students. The bench, headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan, observed that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal prioritizes political interests over national interests by not resigning after being jailed in the Delhi excise policy case. The court stated that the Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, and his ministers were more interested in retaining power than addressing the issue at hand. The court also questioned the loyalty of the lawyers representing the Delhi government, suggesting that their clients’ interests were solely focused on maintaining power.
Arguments from the Delhi Government and the Aam Aadmi Party:
The lawyer representing the Delhi government argued that the Chief Minister’s arrest had caused a delay in resolving the issue. However, the Aam Aadmi Party claimed that the delay was due to the non-formation of the standing committee within the MCD. They blamed the Lieutenant Governor for nominating someone else, which led to the matter being stuck in the Supreme Court.
Delhi High Court’s Response:
The Delhi High Court expressed dissatisfaction with the Delhi government’s inability to form the standing committee and make decisions in the best interest of the people. The court accused the government of shedding crocodile tears and pretending to care for the common man. The court emphasized that the welfare of the children should be the top priority and criticized the government for failing to address the issue promptly.
The Delhi High Court’s statement regarding Arvind Kejriwal’s political interests over national interest has sparked discussions on social media and other platforms. The court’s criticism of the Delhi government’s handling of the MCD school case highlights the need for effective governance and decision-making. The final decision on the case is expected to be announced on Monday, shedding light on whether the court will instruct the Chief Minister to resign.