Heckling, sloganeering mar(k) opening of IP university’s new East Delhi campus

Addressing the audience in the auditorium, Kejriwal called the campus “one of the best in India”. He also spoke of how the biggest anxiety of college students is getting jobs after finishing their degrees. “People tell me we should not create people who need jobs but those who make them,” said the CM.

As he talked about the Business Blasters entrepreneurship scheme and how the government is thinking of introducing it in colleges as well, BJP and AAP workers erupted in chants. Attempting to curb the ruckus, the CM said, “I understand if you don’t like what I have to say but even I have the right to speech and expression.”

Saxena, meanwhile, mentioned the importance of education to drive away the “darkness of ignorance”. He said, “Many will try to extinguish the flame of knowledge but one must have the inner strength to make it burn brighter.” He too, was heckled. “I think there’s a lack of education in the audience today,” he remarked.

Atishi was similarly interrupted during her speech. She mentioned how when she shared pictures, someone asked her on social media if the campus was Stanford’s or NYU.

When she spoke of how parents now prefer to enrol their children in Delhi CBSE schools over private ones, BJP workers responded by shouting “Jhooth, jhooth! (Lies, lies)”, rivalled with AAP’s workers shouting “Sab sach hai (Everything is true)”.

The Delhi government and the L-G office have sparred over who gets “credit” for the work done in the city over the past year. According to the constitutional framework, matters of land, law and order and police fall under the L-G while other matters fall under the elected government. A recent Supreme Court order places Services under the government, which was effectively reversed by an ordinance passed by the Centre on the matter.

Addressing the media later, Atishi defended the AAP government’s work: “The whole country knows who improved government schools in Delhi. Everyone knows that Kejriwal has opened five new universities in eight years. I want to ask the BJP to make such universities in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh or even in UP…”

Meanwhile, Goel walked off the stage as Atishi was addressing the audience. When he was asked to give a speech, he said he felt sad as he holds a constitutional post and yet wasn’t given an invite nor mentioned on the programme pamphlet.