(Image via Twitter)
Delhi’s first car free day gave way to a fresh war of words between the state government and the center after the chain on CM Arvind Kejriwal’s bicycle slipped off, bringing the CM’s cycle procession to a temporary halt.
“This is yet another example of the center’s interference in Delhi government’s affairs. Modi cannot stomach the fact that we are doing a good job, and is attempting to stop our journey towards a corruption-free state by ripping the chain off our bicycles,” said Arvind Kejriwal. The procession of AAP leaders and workers then took a detour towards Race Course Road, gheraoed the Prime Minister’s residence and shouted slogans for several hours.
Simultaneously, AAP leaders led the charge on social media. “Delhi government has allokated 400 crores for free cykal chains, but center is not giving money. Will the Modi answer?” tweeted The Ashutosh.
Later, billboards sprung up all over the city sporting the message: “Modiji, Delhi CM achha cycle chalata hai. Please Arvind ko cycle karne dijiye!” [Modiji, Delhi CM cycles well. Please allow Arvind to cycle]
Modi government’s latest misadventure also came in for strong criticism from intellectuals, who saw the incident as yet another instance of the rising intolerance in India. “For sixty five years, the bicycle chain and chain-wheel have been co-existing peacefully in this country. 16 months of Modi’s rule has created such an environment of distrust that these two components can no longer work together,” said a liberal intellectual, before returning his school-going son’s bicycle to the shop he purchased it from.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s citizens, who had hitherto adopted a wait and watch stance vis-a-vis the carfree day, promptly took advantage of the distraction and drove out in their cars in large numbers. Within minutes, Delhi recovered its familiar face, with its breath-taking air quality and kilometer long traffic jams.