New Delhi: Following aseries of defamation complaints against Arvind Kejriwal after he referred to police officials as ‘thullas’, the Chief Minister has apologized.
‘Thulla’ is derogatory word denoting slowness and inefficiency. Kejriwal apologised for using slang against Delhi Police, saying it was not intended for “honest” personnel of the force.
Kejriwal said that he had used “thulla” word against those policemen who “harass” poor people for money, adding that strict action needs to be taken against such personnel.
“I meant to say that policemen harass street vendors and poor people who supported us a lot and with their support, we won 67 seats. When people come to me and say cops harass them for money, it pains me. Action has to be taken against these police personnel. I used that word (thulla) against such policemen.
“If our honest police officers’ emotions got hurt by this word, I apologise to them for my remark (thulla),” Kejriwal told reporters.
Two Delhi Police constables and an ex-cop have filed defamation complaints against Kejriwal
In his complaint, he said that it had mentally affected him and he couldn’t sleep at night. Another complainant, Chhikara, told the media, “Not just as policemen, but we as Delhi citizens are upset over the comment.” The incident took place last week when Kejriwal was speaking to India Today’s Rajdeep Sardesai during an hour-long interview.
He was speaking in the context of his government’s disagreements with the Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung. “If a Delhi Police thulla tries to take money from some hawkers, I don’t agree that we will not take action,” he had said. “The poor have given us votes. Now if a slum dweller comes and tells me cops are taking a bribe from him, or even some government official, the ACB will register a case.”‘
