'People of Delhi Love Kejriwal': Atishi On AAP's 'Mass Fast' to Protest Delhi CM's Arrest

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is observing ‘Upvas Diwas’– a daylong collective fast– today (April 7) to mark their protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. The party leaders and workers will gather at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and Punjab’s Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and undertake a mass fast, according to Senior AAP leader Gopal Rai.

Speaking on the party’s campaign, AAP leader Sandeep Pathak said, “Fasting purifies the mind and soul. We will pray to god today to grant (Delhi CM) Arvind Kejriwal the strength and blessings to let him move forward on the path of struggle.”

Delhi minister and party leader Atishi said the people of Delhi love Arvind Kejriwal and they don’t think of him as a CM but as their son, or brother.

“All want the bail for Arvind Kejriwal. BJP’s ED and CBI haven’t been able to show a single penny of liquor scam from the leaders of AAP. If there is any money trail in this issue, it’s from liquor trader Sharat Reddy to the BJP. Why BJP’s has not been raided, or accused, why has the BJP’s National President not been summoned or arrested?” she asked.

‘Upvas Diwas’

Addressing a press conference earlier this week, Rai, said the party would be observing the nationwide collective fast to garner maximum support from the public for Kejriwal’s fight.

“Those who are against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, who want to save the country’s democracy, and stop injustice and dictatorship, are urged to observe collective fasts in their homes, villages, neighbourhoods, block headquarters, tehsils, districts, and state capitals,” he said.

Rai also urged people to either collectively pray or listen to the devotional song “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram” on YouTube.

“You can sing it collectively. Together, we will pray for Kejriwal to receive strength and fight against tyranny while he is in jail. We can fight to bring the truth to light,” he added.

Rai, who is also a minister in the Delhi cabinet, asked people to send pictures to the website kejriwalkoaashirvaad.com.

“This fight is not Kejriwal’s personal battle. His fight is to save the country and its democracy from dictatorship, oppression, and excesses,” he added.

Kejriwal was arrested last month by the ED in an excise policy-linked money laundering case. He has been sent to judicial custody till April 15.