Delhi Police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Aam Aadmi Party's Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj and two other party leaders over a satirical video skit that featured individuals dressed as Santa Claus. The complaint alleges the video, which highlighted Delhi's air pollution crisis, hurt the religious sentiments of the Christian community.
The Complaint and Allegations
The FIR was filed on Wednesday based on a complaint submitted by advocate Khusboo George. The complaint targeted videos posted from the X (formerly Twitter) handles of Bharadwaj, Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha, and party leader Adil Ahmad Khan on December 17 and 18. George argued that the skit depicted "individuals dressed as Santa Claus, a revered religious and cultural icon for Christians worldwide, in a derogatory and mocking manner." She further stated that the figures were used as "mere props for political messaging" and that the act of performing mock CPR ridiculed a figure representing the sacred legacy of Saint Nicholas and the Christmas festival.
Content of the Controversial Video
In the widely circulated video, Saurabh Bharadwaj is seen at Connaught Place using a device to measure the Air Quality Index (AQI). Two people dressed in full Santa Claus attire stand nearby among a crowd. After announcing that the AQI reading is 376, Bharadwaj approaches the Santas. Upon hearing the severe pollution level, both individuals pretending to be Santa Claus dramatically faint. Bharadwaj is then seen attempting to revive them with simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), framing the act as a political commentary on the city's hazardous air quality.
Political Backlash and AAP's Defense
Reacting to the police action, Saurabh Bharadwaj issued a sharp statement questioning the selective registration of FIRs. He claimed that while he and his colleagues were booked for a skit on pollution, no cases were filed in other instances involving Santa Claus. "Near Garhi in Lajpat Nagar, Christian women were threatened, stopped, and had their Santa Claus caps forcibly snatched, yet no FIR was lodged," he alleged. He also cited a recent event where "Pandit Dhirendra Shastri in Katni made highly objectionable and indecent remarks about Santa Claus and people applauded, but no FIR was filed."
Bharadwaj concluded by asserting that the FIR was a reactionary measure because the AAP leaders "raised the issue of Delhi’s pollution while wearing Santa Claus costumes, and that has caused pain in the government’s stomach." This incident has sparked a debate on the lines between political satire, freedom of expression, and the protection of religious sentiments, especially during the festive season. The case adds to the ongoing political tussle in the national capital, with the AAP positioning itself as a vocal critic of the central government's and Delhi Lieutenant Governor's handling of the perennial pollution crisis.
