Kapil Mishra, whose fiery speech allegedly caused 2020 Delhi riots, becomes BJP’s Delhi unit vice-president

New Delhi: Kapil Mishra, known for his incendiary statements and believed to have delivered the fiery speech that is thought to have sparked the 2020 Delhi riots, has been appointed vice-president of the party's Delhi unit.

The decision, made by Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, comes as a surprise to many, given Mishra's history of making communal and provocative remarks.

Mishra's appointment has reignited concerns over his inflammatory rhetoric, particularly in the context of the 2020 Delhi riots. During the protest against the CAA, he had issued what many termed an "ultimatum" to the Delhi police, demanding the clearance of roads in Jaffrabad and Chand Bagh neighbourhoods.

His speech was widely criticized for potentially exacerbating the violence that claimed the lives of over 50 people and left hundreds injured.

The controversial leader had also faced backlash for his divisive tweets targeting protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and his references to certain areas as "mini-Pakistans."

The Election Commission had even called on Twitter to remove one of Mishra's tweets, deeming it highly objectionable and an appeal to communal sentiments.

Despite his polarizing track record, Mishra's promotion within the Delhi BJP signals a surprising shift. Previously, he had not been entrusted with significant organizational responsibilities within the party, even after his high-profile switch from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2019.