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The shocking attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public hearing at her official residence on Wednesday has brought this question into sharp focus
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during a Janata Darshan event.
The shocking attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public hearing at her official residence on Wednesday has brought this question into sharp focus. A man, identified as Rajesh Bhai Khimji from Rajkot, allegedly attempted to assault Gupta while she was interacting with citizens, leaving her injured after a scuffle.
The episode has not only shaken public confidence but also raised urgent questions about whether Delhi needs to look at models elsewhere, particularly Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s Janata Darshan, which experts describe as both people-friendly and among the safest in India. Former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) OP Singh, who played a key role in restructuring security arrangements for Janata Darshan, explained why the UP model works where others falter.
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According to reports, Gupta was injured after the accused, identified as Rajesh Bhai Khimji from Rajkot, grabbed her hand during the hearing. In the scuffle, she hit her head against a table corner, sustaining minor injuries. While Delhi Police immediately detained the accused and are interrogating him, the political fallout has been swift. The Congress termed the episode a “serious security lapse,” the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) called it an “attack on democracy,” while BJP leaders alleged that it might have been a conspiracy by rivals.
The Yogi model: Safe, disciplined and accessible
Since 2017, Adityanath has been holding Janata Darshan almost daily—either at his Lucknow residence or at Gorakhnath Math in Gorakhpur. Hundreds of citizens line up to submit applications on matters ranging from land disputes, police complaints, and jobs, to pensions, medical assistance, and grievances related to government schemes.
Unlike the Delhi setup where the public stood in close proximity to CM Rekha Gupta, Yogi’s model is designed to maintain both accessibility and security. Applicants are made to sit in a large, spacious hall, kept at least one meter away from the CM’s walking route. The Chief Minister takes rounds, personally listening to grievances, while maintaining a secure distance.
Security plays a pivotal role here. A specially trained proximate security squad remains with the CM while a few personnel stand directly behind the petitioners as the CM interacts with them. This means every citizen is under close watch at the moment of contact, ensuring no one can make sudden or aggressive moves. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister’s interactions remain focused but brief — he listens, gives instructions on the spot, and moves forward.
Applications are marked instantly to senior officers, often with strict deadlines for redressal. Importantly, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) follows up with district authorities for compliance reports, ensuring grievances do not fall through the cracks.
This combination of physical arrangement, proximate security, and administrative follow-up has given Janata Darshan both credibility and durability, continuing consistently across Yogi’s first and second terms.
Security expert’s perspective: A tested proximate model
Former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) OP Singh, who played a key role in restructuring security arrangements for Janata Darshan, explained why the UP model works where others falter: “In earlier regimes, security at public hearings was haphazard. I have myself overseen it. From 2018 onward, we developed a proximate security model. We shortlisted commandos one by one, placed them right behind the CM and close to petitioners. They are armed with small weapons and trained to neutralise threats instantly. This has become the coronation of the UP model—accessibility without compromising safety. If such a system had been adopted in Delhi, the incident with Rekha Gupta could have been avoided.”
Singh emphasised that the UP approach balances openness with discipline, making it one of the safest interactive formats for a sitting Chief Minister anywhere in India.
Political and symbolic weight
For political analysts, Janata Darshan is not merely about redress —it is also a symbolic exercise that reinforces Adityanath’s image as a hands-on leader. Dr Shashikant Pandey, head of Political Science at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, said, “It projects Adityanath as approachable yet disciplined. The visuals of him sitting cross-legged, listening patiently, and marking applications are powerful. They show a Chief Minister who is both accessible and authoritative. This has become a political tool, with videos and photographs widely circulated to highlight his connection with the people.”
Pandey further pointed out that unlike one-off events elsewhere, Yogi’s Janata Darshan has continued without break for eight years, lending credibility to its seriousness. “It is not just optics—it has teeth because follow-up action is mandatory,” he added.
Delhi’s security lapse
In contrast, the Delhi model appeared ill-prepared for contingencies. Eyewitnesses said the accused approached CM Gupta as though submitting a petition, before suddenly turning aggressive. With no buffer spacing and inadequate proximate security, the chief minister was left exposed.
The Congress said: “If the CM of Delhi herself is unsafe, how secure are ordinary women in the capital?”
Meanwhile, AAP leader Atishi called the incident “an attack on democracy,” stressing that differences in politics cannot translate into violence.
Whereas aAdityanath’s Janata Darshan offers a tested alternative: structured distance, layered proximate security, and on-the-spot redressal with official accountability.
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