Claiming that the Centre’s attempts to break, silence, and bend him have failed, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal delivered an emotional message on Friday, announcing his return to jail on June 2. Kejriwal, whose bail expires today, stated that he would go back to jail in high spirits, determined to protect the country from dictatorship. He asserted he wouldn’t “bow down” even if subjected to increased “torture,” and wondered how long he would be kept behind bars.
In a digital address to the public, Kejriwal recounted the hardships he faced during his previous stint in jail, including the alleged denial of his medications. He cited an instance where his insulin injections were withheld, causing his blood sugar levels to spike dangerously. “I have been a serious diabetic for 20 years, receiving daily insulin injections for the past decade. In jail, on many days, they denied me insulin injections. My sugar level reached 300, 325 (mg/dL). If the sugar level remains so high for many days, kidney and liver get damaged. I don’t know what these people wanted, why they did this,” he said.
Kejriwal claimed to have lost 6kg during the 50 days he spent in jail, dropping from 70kg to 64kg, and has been unable to regain the weight since his release on interim bail. He noted that doctors have suggested this weight loss could indicate a serious underlying health issue, requiring further tests. “The ketone level in my urine has also increased a lot,” he added.
Arrested in connection with the liquor policy case, the Aam Aadmi Party national convener was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court until June 1 to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. Since then, Kejriwal has actively campaigned, holding rallies and roadshows in Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, supporting both AAP and INDIA bloc partners.
Kejriwal assured the people of Delhi that there would be no instability and that all services, including 24-hour free electricity, treatment in mohalla clinics and hospitals, and free bus travel for women, would continue uninterrupted. “Wherever I am, inside or outside the jail, I will not let the work in Delhi stop,” he declared. He also mentioned that he would leave his house on Sunday around 3 PM to surrender, emphasizing his commitment to fighting dictatorship and his readiness to face any consequences, including losing his life.
In his message, Kejriwal appealed to Delhiites to care for his elderly and ailing parents, and praised his wife, Sunita, for her strength and unwavering support during difficult times. “I just want to say that if God wishes, your son will return very soon,” he said.
Reacting to Kejriwal’s address, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva accused the Chief Minister of “lying” and “inviting diseases as part of a conspiracy.” Sachdeva questioned the authenticity of Kejriwal’s illness claims, suggesting that if he were genuinely sick, he would not have been able to campaign actively. He assured that a medical team would evaluate Kejriwal and determine the truth of his health claims.