Reinstatment of bus marshals: Delhi Min detained over protests

In a dramatic escalation, Delhi Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, along with several AAP MLAs and leaders were detained by Delhi Police during a protest near Chandgi Ram Akhara in Civil Lines over reinstatement of bus marshals on Thursday.

The AAP leaders had gathered in large numbers to demand the immediate reinstatement of Delhi’s bus marshals, who were terminated from service over a year ago. The protest was organised alleging inaction on the part of Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on a legislative Assembly resolution.

AAP ministers, MLAs, and several bus marshals had converged near the L-G’s office. The resolution, passed on September 26, 2024, had called for reinstatement and regularisation of bus marshals—a demand both AAP and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs had supported.

Earlier, addressing the protest, Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “Thousands of bus marshals, who have been struggling for more than a year without any income, are gathered here today with a simple demand—justice. These individuals have families to support, rent to pay, and children to educate.”

The L-G has yet to meet the marshals or the legislators to address their demands, he added. Bharadwaj further accused the LG's office for its lack of action and of ignoring the legitimate concerns of bus marshals. Tensions escalated as the day wore on, with protesters alleging that the Delhi Police cut off power and water supply to the protest site.