Delhi Leader of Opposition Atishi, in a letter to Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Friday, February 28, 2025, described the suspension of 21 AAP MLAs as a setback to democratic principles and an affront to the public’s mandate. She expressed worry over what she sees as efforts to curb opposition voices in the Delhi Assembly.

Writing in Hindi, Atishi pointed to unequal treatment during Tuesday’s session, when AAP MLAs were suspended for chanting “Jai Bhim” during Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena’s address, while BJP MLAs shouting “Modi-Modi” faced no action. The AAP legislators, including Atishi, were penalized for protesting the alleged removal of B R Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh portraits from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s office, leading to their removal from the House.

The issue grew when the suspended MLAs were denied entry to the Assembly premises on Thursday for a planned protest at the Mahatma Gandhi statue. Atishi called this restriction unprecedented, arguing it limited their ability to represent constituents. “It’s the speaker’s role to ensure fairness for all MLAs, regardless of party,” she urged Gupta.

Separately, Atishi wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, requesting a meeting to discuss what she termed a threat to Delhi’s democratic norms under BJP governance, seeking intervention. The suspensions coincided with the tabling of a CAG report on the Delhi excise policy, adding context to the dispute. Her letter has stirred debate online, with some AAP supporters echoing her concerns. The situation underscores ongoing tensions in Delhi’s legislative proceedings.