Fake degree: Arvind Kejriwal wants AAP minister to explain allegations
Congress leader Ajay Maken said on Twitter: "AAP Delhi law minister's law degree found fake. Should be sacked immediately and vacate assembly seat for fresh election!"
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday asked his law minister Jitender Singh Tomar to explain allegations that the degree he obtained from a university in Bihar is fake. Kejriwal's diktat came shortly after Tomar defended his degree, calling it genuine even as the opposition Congress and the BJP demanded that Kejriwal should sack him.
"My law degree is 100 per cent genuine. I am not going to resign," Tomar, who also holds the portfolios of tourism, art and culture as well as home, told reporters in New Delhi. "When all the records will be placed before the court, everything will be clear.'Doodh ka doodh, pani ka pani ho jayega'," he said, adding that all his degrees and certificates were genuine and university records were tampered with.
What is the fake degree allegation about?
The Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University in Bihar on Monday submitted an affidavit in the Delhi High Court stating that Tomar's provisional certificate is fabricated and does not exist in the institution's record. "It is respectfully submitted that on the basis of the inquiry report, and in the university records, the provisional certificate bearing serial number 3687 was issued on July 29, 1999 to Mt Sanjay Kumar Chaudhary for BA (Honours) Political Science examination held in 1998. Accordingly, the provisional certificate in the name of the respondent no 5 (Tomar), is a fabricated document and does not exist in the records of the university," the affidavit placed before a bench of Justice Rajiv Shakdher, had said.
The university's response came on a plea against Tomar which alleged that he enrolled himself as an advocate on the basis of a "fake and bogus" graduation degree.
Tomar alleged that he was facing a political conspiracy aimed at hurting the Aam Aadmi Party. "When the court will summon all the records and registers everything will be clear. The petition filed in the court is politically motivated as BJP has not been able to digest its defeat," he said.
Regarding the affidavit submitted in the court by Tilka Majhi University whose law degree Tomar claims to possess, Tomar said that there was nothing on record. Claiming that he was under no pressure from the party leaders over the issue, Tomar said that the court will decide the matter and everyone needs to wait.
BJP, Congress want Tomar to go
Meanwhile, the opposition BJP and Congress mounted a joint attack on the Kejriwal government for not removing Tomar despite the allegations. "The minister should be punished for using a fake degree. Their political outfit screamed of stings and value-based politics, now their truths are coming out, " BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi said.
Earlier, Congress leader Ajay Maken said on Twitter: "AAP Delhi law minister's law degree found fake. Should be sacked immediately and vacate assembly seat for fresh election!" "Will (Arvind) Kejriwal apologise again/take moral responsibility and step down?" he said. A demonstration is also expected to be held at Kejriwal's office on Thursday, he said.
AAP defends Tomar
Meanwhile, the AAP extended its support to the minister, saying Tomar will file his response in the court on August 20 and patience was required till then. "The AAP too has extended its support to Tomar. The matter is sub judice. The next date of hearing is August 20. I think we should wait for a while and as he has been given time till August 20, I firmly believe adhering to the party ideology and principles he will give his reply to the court," said an AAP spokesperson.
"The oppositions need to understand that the matter is sub judice and wait as Tomar will file his reply as per his right under principle of natural justice," he added.