Two days after farmer Gajendra Singh from Rajasthan hanged himself from a tree in full public glare at an AAP rally in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal apologised for not calling off the event and admitted that his making a speech was a “mistake”.
“I was to deliver an hour long speech but I wrapped it up in 10-15 mins. I think that was my mistake. Probably I should not have spoken. If that has hurt anyone’s sentiments I would like to apologise.
I am guilty. Blame me. I feel the rally should have been called off. But please focus on the real issue of the farmers and desist from politicking. Whoever is guilty hang him but the focus of the debate should be on why the farmers are committing suicide.
– Arvind Kejriwal
Seeking to play down his government’s face-off with Delhi Police over the probe into the incident, Kejriwal said he was even ready to file his statement to the police if needed.
District Magistrate has the jurisdiction to investigate under the CRPC and the police does criminal investigation based on FIR...if police calls me I will go to file my statement.
– Arvind Kejriwal
Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit sought to remind Kejriwal that he was no longer in the opposition where he could indulge in “politics of dharna”.
“As a chief minister his statements should be much more responsible than indulging in blame-game. Politicising someone’s suicide or death is not right,” she said.
Related Stories:
1. AAP Instigated Gajendra Singh to Commit Suicide: Delhi Police
2. Dausa Admin in Denial: Gajendra Singh was NOT a Farmer in Distress
3. Social Media Fumes As Netas Score Points Over Farmer’s Suicide
4. 11 Questions You May Have About Gajendra Singh’s Dramatic Suicide
5. The Face of The Farmer in Distress: Who Was Gajendra Singh?
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
Published: 24 Apr 2015,02:03 PM IST