‘I should not have spoken’: Arvind Kejriwal apologises for farmer’s death at AAP rally

By NewsGram Staff Writer

Making a departure from the usual attitude of politicians in the country, Arvind Kejriwal today apologised for not stopping his speech at an event where farmer Gajendra Singh Rajput killed himself.

Kejriwal also regretted his decision to make a speech after the gruesome incident took place.

In an interview to news agency ANI, the Delhi Chief Minister said, "I think I was wrong, I should not have spoken. I didn't think of it at that time. I apologise if I hurt anyone."

While the man tied a noose out of a white scarf and plunged off a branch, Arvind Kejriwal and other AAP leaders were seen taking the stage. Neither the Police nor the AAP volunteers were seen trying to stop the man from hanging himself.

Kejriwal later said that no one had expected the farmer to take such a drastic step.

The Delhi Police, however, filed an FIR against the Aam Aadmi Party stating that party workers didn't cooperate in saving the man and even clapped and cheered, which instigated the farmer.

Defending the party, Kejriwal said, "No AAP leader made any announcement from the stage because that would have led to chaos." At the same time, Kejriwal made a speech in which he blamed the Delhi police for acting like mute spectators.

Kejriwal also admonished the 'hoopla' created over the incident, saying that the media and the politicians should focus on the main issue of farmer suicides.

Meanwhile, the BJP dismissed the apology saying, "He should reflect on that day. We don't accept the apology. He is trying to justify himself."

The family of the 42 year-old farmer, Gajendra Singh also rejected the Chief Minister's apology saying it was "too little, too late".