Kejriwal bemoans thrashed protesters

Says the incident was uncalled for, promises to correct mistakes in future

Kejriwal bemoans thrashed protesters

Says the incident was uncalled for, promises to correct mistakes in future

Team Anna and its followers have still to prove that they are strict followers of Mahatma Gandhi's non-violence mantra. Unlike Gandhi, who used to offer his other cheek when anyone hit his one cheek, Anna followers, who are asked to follow non-violence, were seen attacking their protesters in retaliation. And a day after this incident in Nagpur, team member Arvind Kejriwal condemned it, saying everyone has a right to protest. Inviting the protesters for a discussion, he also apologised to them.

Lofty ideas
In a message to his followers, Kejriwal said he has urged those who assaulted the protesters not to repeat it in future. "Such violence is not only against the basic ethos and philosophy of the movement, but would also weaken the movement. These incidents only show their impatience. We have to win over people through love and dialogue. Beating them up would alienate them forever and divert the issues," he added.

Apologising for the incident, Kejriwal said every citizen, including those protesting against him, is a part of the movement against corruption and they have a right to protest. "They are our friends. If they have any questions, suggestions or grievances, we will talk to them," he said. "If we have been doing anything wrong in the movement, I assure them that we will correct ourselves," Kejriwal added.

He had claimed that he was not aware about the incident and came to know about it only on Monday. "Obviously, I did not come to know about these developments because all this was happening outside the hall. The pictures in the newspapers are troublesome. Personally, I am deeply pained to read this," he said.