Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal criticized the Delhi Police for halting the screening of the film Unbreakable, asserting that the event was a private gathering, not an election-related activity.
During a press conference, Kejriwal stated, “The screening was not an election campaign. There were no election flags, speeches, or propaganda at the venue. This was a private event organized for journalists. However, the Delhi Police arrived in the morning and stopped the screening.”
Kejriwal reiterated his claim that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was “scared” of the documentary, which he said reveals the “illegal and unconstitutional actions” taken by the BJP-led government. “I haven’t seen the film yet, but I was told it depicts the events when AAP leaders were sent to jail. It exposes the BJP’s misuse of power. That is why they are scared. We condemn the police action and hope we will get permission to screen the film,” Kejriwal added.
Calling the police action “hooliganism and dictatorship,” Kejriwal emphasized that the event had no connection to the ongoing elections. “This is not an election event. There was no party symbol or flag involved. We tried to explain this to the police, but they refused to listen,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the Delhi Police clarified that no permission had been sought for the screening of the AAP documentary Unbreakable, which chronicles the incarceration of AAP leaders, including former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia. The police stated that conducting the event without prior approval would violate election guidelines.
The Delhi Police explained that political parties are required to obtain permissions for events through the District Election Officer’s (DEO) single-window system during the election period. “No such permission was taken for this event, and hence it would have been a violation of guidelines. All parties are urged to follow the rules and regulations during elections,” the police statement read.
The police further clarified their role, stating, “Permissions for political activities are granted solely by the DEO office through the single-window system. Delhi Police cannot grant or deny such permissions at this time.”
AAP sources, however, accused the Delhi Police of acting on instructions from the BJP. They claimed that theatre owners across Delhi were threatened to prevent the screening of the film. “Delhi Police banned the screening of Unbreakable at the BJP’s behest. The documentary, which highlights the wrongful arrests of AAP leaders, was scheduled to be screened today at 11:30 AM. Theatre owners were intimidated to stop the screening,” AAP sources alleged.
The controversy has added to the tension as Delhi gears up for Assembly elections on February 5, with the vote counting set for February 8.
