New Delhi CM and activist-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party headquarters in Ghaziabad, about 72 kms from New Delhi, was vandalised by a mob with suspected right-wing connection on Wednesday. The attack took place only a kilometer away from Kejriwal's house.
The reports of the attacks showed a group of over 50 people, carrying flags of 'Hindu Raksha Dal', vandalising the Kaushambi office of AAP in Ghaziabad with bricks and stones on Wednesday morning. The attack was carried out as a protest against party leader Prashant Bhushan's Kashmir-related remarks.
In an interview, AAP leader Bhushan had said that the people of Kashmir should have a say in the deployment of troops in the Kashmir Valley. The dispute over granting referendum to Kashmir over security has remained a decade-long conflict issue that has seen much bloodshed between the army and the locals. With the Indian wary of terrorist infiltrating in the Kashmir Valley, the army has been granted special powers that has often led to local conflicts.
Bhushan's statements had drawn much criticism from several sectors. Speaking to local television channels, Bhushan said: "This incident shows extreme frustration on the part of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and its affiliated organisations with the phenomenal rise of AAP. They are afraid of AAP and fear that it will damage their prospect in the Lok Sabha elections."
The police have now beefed up the security in the area. As the Chief Minister of the India's capital New Delhi, Kejriwal has to be given an Z class security. However, the new CM has refused to take any special protection.
Watch AAP Office Attack Video
Watch Arvind Kejriwal refuses security Video
Watch Prashant Bhushan blames BJP-affiliated groups Video
