FIR Against AAP Leaders Over Santa Claus Skit
Police cite hurt religious sentiments over Connaught Place street performance
- FIR filed against Saurabh Bhardwaj, Sanjeev Jha and Adil Ahmed Khan
- Case linked to Santa Claus skit performed in Connaught Place
- Police say videos mocked religious and cultural symbols
- AAP says skit highlighted Delhi’s pollution crisis
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 26th Dec: The Delhi Police on Thursday registered an FIR against Aam Aadmi Party leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj, Sanjeev Jha and Adil Ahmed Khan on charges of hurting religious sentiments over a street skit performed at Connaught Place.
According to the complaint, videos posted on December 17 and 18 on the leaders’ official social media handles showed individuals dressed as Santa Claus being portrayed in a derogatory and mocking manner. The videos allegedly depicted the religious and cultural icon “fainting” and “collapsing” on the street and being used as props for political messaging.
Responding to the FIR, AAP’s Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bhardwaj defended the skit, saying it was aimed at drawing attention to Delhi’s pollution crisis. In a post on X, he said the skit had forced the BJP to respond to the issue of air quality and sparked discussion at higher levels of government.
Bhardwaj claimed the performance took the pollution issue to a wider audience and put pressure on both the Delhi and central governments. He also accused the BJP of misusing religious sentiments and alleged that there was a coordinated effort to silence voices questioning the government.
The AAP leader further referred to alleged incidents in Lajpat Nagar, where people dressed as Santa Claus were reportedly harassed, to highlight what he called double standards.
Police said the matter is under investigation.
