Delhi Assembly erupts again over 'Phansi Ghar' row; Atishi urges BJP to read "Savarkar's own words"

New Delhi [India], August 6 (ANI): The Delhi Assembly witnessed heated scenes for the second consecutive day on Wednesday as a debate over the 'phansi ghar' spiralled into political accusations and disruptions.
BJP MLA Gajendra Yadav triggered a storm by accusing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of 'distorting history' and controversially likening him to Babur, Aurangzeb, and Qutb-ud-din Aibak. Leader of Opposition Atishi countered the attack by advising BJP legislators to read the works of their own ideological icon, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
As the discussion on the "phansi ghar" continued, Minister Kapil Mishra accused Kejriwal of corruption, prompting strong objections from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs, who responded with anti-BJP slogans. Amid the uproar, Speaker Vijender Gupta ordered the marshalling out of LoP Atishi along with four other AAP legislators.
Speaking to the mediapersons outside the House, Atishi criticised the BJP for politicising a sensitive historical issue and deflecting from real governance concerns. "If you truly want a debate on the 'phansi ghar', form a committee that includes historians and archaeologists. The idea that the British would acknowledge executing Indians openly is absurd - they used secret execution sites across the country," she said.
Atishi also invoked Savarkar's writings, noting that he had described how the British hanged Indians not only in jails but also in offices, schools, and even East India Company buildings. "The BJP should read Savarkar's own words before trying to whitewash British atrocities," she added.
She further alleged that the BJP was using the "phansi ghar" issue to divert attention from pressing civic problems in the capital. "I submitted a notice under Rule 55 to discuss Delhi's worsening law and order situation. We also raised concerns about slum demolitions, waterlogging, and rising school fees, but none of these were taken up. Instead, AAP legislators are thrown out for raising people's issues," Atishi said.
"The Assembly exists to solve Delhi's problems, not to waste time on politically charged, historically inaccurate debates with no expert input," she added.
The British-era "phansi-ghar" was opened by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, located in the Delhi Assembly premises. (ANI)