Surat: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Italia flogged himself at a public meeting in Gujarat's Surat. Italia took this step as he claimed it to be a penance for “failing to ensure justice” for the victims of various crimes committed in the BJP-ruled state and it was a way to awaken people from their slumber, reported PTI.
The AAP national joint secretary pulled out his belt from his trousers and started flogging himself citing the recent incident of a Patidar woman being booked and arrested at Amreli for allegedly trying to defame a BJP leader.
Video Of The Incident:
Italia said he was fighting legal, social and political battles for the victims but “the corrupt nexus of officials and leaders under the BJP rule” has made it hard for people to get justice.
“Gujarat has witnessed many incidents such as Morbi suspension bridge collapse, Vadodara boat capsize case, different hooch tragedies, fire incidents and government recruitment exam paper leak cases, but I have been unable to ensure justice to the victims,” he said before flogging himself as quoted by PTI.
Leaders present on the stage even rushed to stop him. Italia said he was punishing himself for not ensuring justice for the “innocent daughter of Amreli.” Later in the day, the AAP leader released a video statement in which he said he and other party leaders have been fighting to provide justice to many victims and even met police officials and moved court but in vain.
“Today, when I was speaking on the Amreli incident, I was very shocked and thought how is it possible that no one gets justice in Gujarat? BJP leaders make cruel statements, which are like pouring salt on burn injuries. I flogged myself for failing to ensure justice,” he said.
Notably, a woman from Gujarat's Amreli was arrested for allegedly being involved in a conspiracy to defame a BJP MLA. On Friday, she was granted bail.
Recently, Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai also flogged himself to protest the rising incidents of crime against women in the DMK-ruled southern state.
(With inputs from PTI)
