10 August, New Delhi: Manish Sisodia, a top Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader who was just released from prison, called for an uprising against what he saw as the country’s “dictatorship”. His remarks came just one day after his release from jail, where he had been jailed for 17 months on charges related to the Delhi excise policy case.
Manish Sisodia addressed AAP workers after being released from jail.
Addressing AAP members at the party headquarters, Sisodia slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming that no organization or individual has more power than the Constitution. “Every person must resist this dictatorship that not only imprisons leaders but also tortures ordinary citizens,” he told the crowd.
While in captivity, Sisodia maintained that his primary worry was not his own release, but rather the fate of others who he claimed had been wrongfully imprisoned for failing to financially support the BJP. His release was approved by the Supreme Court, which emphasized that his protracted arrest without trial violated his right to a speedy trial.
Sisodia emphasized the integrity of AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is imprisoned on the same charges. He stated that Kejriwal is a “symbol of honesty” in India, implying that efforts are underway to destroy his reputation. “If opposition leaders unite against this dictatorship, Kejriwal will be released in 24 hours,” he told reporters.
He vowed that the Supreme Court’s decision to give him bail demonstrated the Constitution’s ability to win over authoritarianism.
Sisodia reflected on his time in jail, stating that hopes for fast judgment were not satisfied, which lasted 17 months. However, he continued, “In the end, truth has triumphed.”
Sisodia criticized the BJP’s handling of athlete Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the Paris Olympics, citing governmental indifference and the consequences of dissent against BJP leadership.
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