Ct against rising ommunal rhetoric

n early 2020, the national Capital witnessed its bloodiest riots in 25 years. The riots happened after protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, a polarised election with communal toric, and the failure of the law and order machiy to anticipate and then tackle the violence. Justfor the riot victims remains elusive, and there are stions about the investigation process and wher it is being used to frame dissenters and let the pable get away. But the riots showed that Hinduslim relations in Delhi are fragile. nd that is why recent incidents must serve as a e-up call for all political parties in Delhi, the hi government and the Delhi Police, which orts to the ministry of home affairs. On Friday, a dents’ federation organised a inst the construction of a Haj house and wrote a er to the lieutenant-governor, warning of riots; ratiya Janata Party (BJP)’S local leaders are ve in the campaign. On Sunday, a former city BJP ce-bearer organised a rally at Jantar Mantar, nsibly to demand a uniform civil code. But orts and video footage show that this was marked ate speech, targeted at Muslims. The police, on nday, filed a first information report against known persons” for the slogans. he BJP must rein in local elements at the front of the politics of hate. The Delhi Police has w commissioner in Rakesh Asthana, who must ve his professional credentials by cracking down y on such potentially volatile incidents. And the m Aadmi Party, which governs Delhi, must play a structive role, along with all local stakeholders,