ot only did they continue with their rally post his instant death, the organisers of the Kisan rally where a 41-year-old farmer ended his life here on Wednesday willingly refused to settle for an alternative venue, apparently in the interests of political symbolism.
According to the Delhi Police, the Aam Aadmi Party had been requested to reconsider its request to hold the said rally at Jantar Mantar in the interests of the safety and security of its attendees. Ramlila Maidan had been suggested as an option but to no avail.
“The Deputy Commissioner of Police of the New Delhi district had, in a written communication addressed to Neeraj Kumar, who had sought permission for the rally, categorically opined that Jantar Mantar did not have adequate space for chanellisation of the crowd in the event of an emergency,” said a senior police officer.
“We had asked the organisers to approach our counterparts in the Central District for access to the Ramlila Maidan - which does not have any points that overlook it such as trees and electricity poles on its campus - to hold it. But they insisted on Jantar Mantar,” the officer added.
As the rally progressed on Wednesday afternoon, 41-year-old Gajendra Singh from Rajasthan’s Dausa district was first accused of being a “disruptive element” by senior party leaders, including Sanjay Singh, Ashish Khetan and Kumar Vishvas.
“Who is this man?” asked Dr. Vishvas as he pointed at Singh perched atop the tree during what were to be the last eight minutes of the latter’s life.
“He is an agent of the Bharatiya Janata Party which has been on a campaign to malign the image of the AAP Government since it came to power two months ago,” Dr. Vishvas said followed by Singh’s fatal jump.
Over the next 20 minutes – the rally would conclude around 2:30 p.m. – Mr. Sanjay Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to the stage in turns to speak as per schedule.
While Mr. Singh reiterated Dr. Vishvas’ sentiments, and only proceeded a little further by accusing the Delhi Police personnel present there of being “under the political control of the BJP”, he then reminded the volunteers gathered of “police brutality suffered” by them at previous rallies organised at Jantar Mantar.
Mr. Sisodia and Mr. Kejriwal repeated accusations on the police before repeating past announcements pertaining to compensation for Delhi’s farmers finishing their respective addresses with the promise of visiting Singh at the mortuary where his body was kept to pay their respects.
“He is an agent of the BJP which has been on a campaign to malign the image of the AAP Govt.,” says
Kumar Vishvas
