AAP marches with 270-foot Tricolour despite heavy security in Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday took out a march carrying a 270-foot-long Tricolour from North Avenue towards Rashtrapati Bhavan, defying heavy police deployment and heightened security in the national capital.

Led by Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj, the march was joined by party MLAs Sanjeev Jha and Kuldeep Kumar and other workers, who said unfurling the national flag peacefully was every citizen's right. "Our ancestors fought for independence from the British so that we could unfurl the Tiranga anywhere we want. No government or police force can stop citizens from doing so," Bharadwaj said. Questioning the restrictions on gatherings, he asked, "They'll get people to bang plates and light lamps, but how is it wrong for ordinary citizens to do something peacefully?"

Bharadwaj alleged that the authorities were preventing young people from assembling and claimed that restrictions around Connaught Place were hurting traders during the festive season. AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha said the Tricolour represented the country's honour and pride.

"Tiranga is our honour, pride and glory; why do those in power hate it?" he asked, adding that the party had taken to the streets to assert its commitment to the national flag. Kondli MLA Kuldeep Kumar said unfurling the Tricolour was a constitutional right and accused the government of trying to prevent young people from exercising it. "When the British stopped people from unfurling the Tricolour, the British had to leave. Now the Modi government will also have to go," Kumar said. He asserted that the country belonged to its youth, farmers, women and every citizen, and not to any political party or organisation.

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