Kejriwal on a free-hit!

Aam Aadmi Party head Arvind Kejriwal is on a free hit, literally. Anyone from anywhere can come and slap or beat him and go. If we call it as a democratic right of those who attacked him, then our democracy is in for a real danger.

Ironically, no party, be it national or regional, has condemned the violence act against the poll campaigner, who’s fighting election on the basis of uprooting corruption. Probably, that is why, no one has come forward to denounce the attack on the AAP leader. After three attacks Congress and BJP reluctantly gave statements against the attack on AAP chief.

First, he was sprayed ink and mobile oil on his face while campaigning in Varanasi, where he is pitted himself against the BJP’s  prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi.

Later, the 45-year-old AAP chief was attacked by a man, who claimed to be a supporter of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, during an election rally at Charkhi Dadri in Haryana.

The attack on him continued when he was campaigning in Delhi as he was hit in two places – first in Dakshinpuri area of South Delhi and second, which is the latest, but hope to be the last one, he was slapped by an auto-rickshaw driver in Sultanpuri in north-west Delhi on Tuesday.

On his attack the AAP leader tweeted, "Our religion teaches us non-violence. If we raise our hands, this movement will come to an end," Kejriwal said. Is he a modern Mahatma?

Has Kejriwal become a butt of ridicule among his political opponents for fighting a lone battle to ward off corruption from the country?

Agreed, he lacks experience to take on political bigwigs. He needs to devise his plan according to the modern day’s need. He needs a team of good advisors. Like other political party leaders, he should too engage private security guards while campaigning. But this needs funds. All the more, he should be practical in his approach.

The former chief minister of Delhi could have been provided with the highest security by the Delhi police, had he been heed to their advice, as he worried a strong posse of police would stop him connecting with ‘Aam Aadmi.’ By doing so, he exposes himself to such unmindful attacks from a group of hooligans.

Can anyone dare to touch Mamata, Jaya, Mulayam, Mayawati or for that matter, Sonia? Leave alone hitting, no one would dare to show a black flag when their cavalcade passes through.

Though almost all political leaders, cutting across the party line, ganged up to criticize Kejriwal for his comments on them and corruption, they failed to get united when he was attacked, not once but many a times.

In the arena of polls, all the political leaders are just players. They may mud-sling on others, can talk ill about their political opponents or can heap accusations on them even without any base. All are acceptable, but when any of them was attacked, it is highly undemocratic and unethical to keep quiet. In the democracy, there is no place for violence and those who remain salient on such attacks are indirectly endorsing it.

Like a person on a hunger strike is force fed to save his/her life, Kejriwal should be given full police protection to thwart any such attack on him in the coming days. Or, his supporters should form a security ring whenever he goes out in public.

Hope Kejriwal would answer those slaps through ballots.