Delhi’s Thappad Politics Continues – Rekha Gupta Joins Kejriwal in Slap Club
Delhi politics has once again grabbed headlines, not for development or policies, but for an unexpected and rather shocking incident. Newly elected Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta faced public outrage when she was allegedly slapped during a Jan Sunwai program, reminding citizens of a similar fate once faced by former CM Arvind Kejriwal.
A Recurring Pattern in Delhi Politics
The incident sparked immediate comparisons to Kejriwal, who was also targeted multiple times during his rallies and public interactions. While Kejriwal’s slap incidents became meme material over the years, this latest episode involving Rekha Gupta highlights that such attacks have sadly become a recurring element in Delhi’s political landscape.
What Happened During the Jan Sunwai?
Eyewitnesses claim that Rekha Gupta was interacting with locals in Delhi’s Civil Lines area when an unidentified person suddenly came forward and slapped her in full public view. The shocking moment created chaos, forcing security personnel to intervene. Gupta was quickly escorted away from the stage, while police detained the attacker.
Security Concerns Rise Again
This incident has reignited debates around the security of political leaders in Delhi. Critics argue that despite past experiences, there has been little improvement in managing crowd control and leader safety during public events. The fact that the capital city’s CM could be attacked so easily has raised concerns about lapses in the security mechanism.
Public Reaction: Anger, Memes, and Mixed Emotions
As expected, the internet wasted no time in reacting. Memes comparing Rekha Gupta’s incident with Kejriwal’s infamous slap moments flooded social media platforms. While some netizens criticized the lack of respect shown towards elected leaders, others jokingly referred to this as part of Delhi’s “slap culture” in politics.
Hashtags like #ThappadPolitics, #SlapClub, and #DelhiDrama began trending on X (formerly Twitter).
Political Reactions and Opposition’s Take
Opposition leaders condemned the attack but also didn’t miss the chance to take political digs. Some accused the ruling government of failing to connect with the people, while others pointed to security negligence. Gupta, meanwhile, urged people not to resort to violence, saying that disagreements should be voiced through dialogue, not physical assault.
Slap Politics – A Symbol of Discontent?
While many view these incidents as isolated cases, political analysts believe they may reflect growing frustration among certain sections of the public. The slap, symbolic or real, has become a mode of “direct feedback” in Delhi’s political narrative—though a dangerous and condemnable one.
When Did the Slap Incidents Happen?
Kejriwal faced his first slap incident in 2014 during a roadshow in Delhi, when a man suddenly came forward and hit him in full public view. The attacker claimed he was frustrated with AAP’s style of politics.
Later, similar incidents occurred in 2015 and 2019, when Kejriwal was again slapped while campaigning in different parts of Delhi. Each time, the visuals went viral on social media, sparking memes, criticism, and heated debates.
Read Also: Shocking Attack on Delhi CM Rekha Gupta at Jan Sunwai Sparks Security Fears
Political Reactions at the Time
AAP’s Stand: The Aam Aadmi Party always condemned such attacks, calling them a threat to democracy and a sign of rising intolerance.
Opposition’s View: Some opposition leaders mocked Kejriwal, saying these incidents reflected “public anger” against his governance.
Public Sentiment: While many condemned the violence, others saw it as a reflection of growing dissatisfaction, turning it into a trending topic with jokes and memes.
Security Concerns
The repeated lapses in security raised serious questions. How could the sitting CM of the national capital be attacked so casually in public events? Each time, Delhi Police and security agencies promised stricter measures, but the pattern kept repeating.
From Serious to Meme Culture
Over the years, “Kejriwal slap” incidents have gone beyond politics and entered the world of pop culture and memes. Social media users turned every slapgate episode into jokes, dubbing Kejriwal the “most slapped politician in India.”
Bigger Picture: A Sign of Public Frustration?
While the slap incidents may appear as individual acts of aggression, political analysts argue they point towards a deeper sense of frustration among voters. Resorting to physical assault, however, is seen as a dangerous trend that undermines democratic values.
Conclusion
Delhi’s political history has seen fiery debates, street protests, and even shoe-hurling, but the recurring pattern of slap attacks has added an unusual, almost meme-worthy chapter to the capital’s democracy. Whether it’s Kejriwal or now Rekha Gupta, one thing is clear: Thappad Politics is becoming an unwanted trend in Delhi’s power corridors.
