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Syed Ali Ahmed
Tribune News Service
New Delhi/Jaipur, April 24
Under flak for going ahead with his speech and not calling off the April 22 rally where a Rajasthan farmer committed suicide, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today acknowledged his "mistake" and tendered an apology, which was "rejected" by the deceased’s family. Gajendra Singh (41) had ended his life by hanging himself from a tree at the rally organised by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
"I was to deliver an hour-long speech but I wrapped it up in 10-15 minutes. I think that was my mistake. Probably, I should not have spoken. If that has hurt anynone's sentiments I would like to apologise," said Kejriwal said. He, however, insisted that the focus should not deviate from the "real" issues being faced by the farmers.
"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," Kejriwal said.
"The District Magistrate has the jurisdiction to investigate under the CrPC and the police conduct criminal investigation based on an FIR. If the police calls me, I will go to file my statement," he said.
Still to come to terms with the tragedy, Gajendra's family refused to accept Kejriwal's apology. "What will happen now after this apology? My brother has died. Kejriwal did not stop the rally for even two minutes after the incident," Gajendra's sister Rekha told reporters at his native Nangal Jhamarwada village in Dausa district of Rajasthan.
Backing the conspiracy theory behind her brother's tragic death, she said, "He might have been provoked... some conspiracy may be behind this." Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had yesterday said AAP supporters "clapped and raised slogans" as the farmer stood atop a tree with a noose made of towel tied around his neck. The Delhi police's FIR too alleged they "instigated" the farmer to commit suicide and thwarted their attempts to save him.
Gajendra's uncle, Gopal Singh, the village Sarpanch, demanded a CBI probe into the incident. "We have doubts about this incident and demand a CBI inquiry in the case. We have asked (state) minister Rajendra Rathore to take up this matter with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh," he said.
Kejriwal also toned down the party's attack on the Delhi police. “I believe if the police had the slightest inkling, they would have tried to save him. They must have genuinely thought nothing of that sort was taking place," he said.
Attacking Kejriwal, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said, "An apology isn't enough." Congress leader Anand Sharma said: "An apology is not enough. The Chief Minister did not do what he should have done."
(With agency inputs)
Edit: Standoff after suicide
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