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Italiya said he has been fighting for the victims in legal, social and political battles but the “corrupt collusion of officials and leaders under BJP rule” has made it difficult for people to get justice.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Gopal Italia on Monday hit himself at a public meeting in Gujarat’s Surat as punishment for “failing to ensure justice” to the victims of various crimes committed in the BJP-ruled state and waking people from their sleep.
Seeking forgiveness on stage, the AAP national joint secretary flogged himself by removing his trouser belt after mentioning the recent incident of a Patidar woman who was booked and arrested in Amreli for allegedly trying to defame a BJP leader.
Speaking at the meeting, Italia said that he has been fighting for the victims of legal, social and political battles but “the corrupt collusion of officials and leaders under the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made it difficult for people to get justice.
“Gujarat has seen many incidents like Morbi bridge collapse, Vadodara boat capsizing case, various disasters, fire incidents and government recruitment exam paper leak cases, but I could not ensure justice for the victims,” he said before lashing out. even the leaders on the stage rushed to stop him.
Referring to the recent case of a woman who was booked and arrested (before she was granted bail) for allegedly trying to defame a BJP leader, Italia said she was punishing herself for not ensuring justice for “Amreli’s innocent daughter.” Later, Italiya released a video statement in which he said that he and other AAP leaders were fighting to give justice to many victims and even met with police officials and moved the court but to no avail.
“Today, when I spoke about the Amreli incident, I was very shocked and thought how is it possible that no one gets justice in Gujarat. BJP leaders are making outrageous statements, like pouring salt on fire hazards. I beat myself up for failing to ensure justice,” he said.
Gujarat’s soul is in danger.
Apart from this, there are many incidents in the past like, लथ्थकांड, पेपरलीककांडड, . pic.twitter.com/zM7qPUQZBz
— Gopal Italia (@Gopal_Italia) January 6, 2025
Italia said that only the people of Gujarat can give justice to these victims, adding that he hoped his action would awaken the “sleeping soul of the people”.
Once that happens, there will be no room for injustice in Gujarat, the AAP leader said.
It may be noted that Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai had recently come under fire to protest against the increasing incidents of crimes against women in the DMK-ruled southern state.
(This story was not edited by News18 staff and was published by the syndicated news agency – PTI)