AAP response on shameful incidents during a BJP sponsored march in the national capital :

Mr Anupam Kher and his associates have set an extremely wrong precedent on the roads of the national capital by countering the arguments of intellectuals from various walks of life, by hurling threats and abuses on them during the march led by him.

Peaceful marches and counter-marches with opposing views from both sides could have triggered a healthy debate, but the path chosen by Mr Kher and his associates of hurling abuses on those speaking against the prevailing culture of intolerance and raising provocative slogans has exposed the real designs of Saturday’s march.

The marchers, majority of whom appeared to be political workers did not even spare journalists covering the event and indulged in condemnable and shameful behavior against women reporters.

There is no doubt that this march was supported by the BJP, and the organizers in their desperation to somehow divert attention from the agenda of intolerance being pursued by the Narendra Modi-led  central government, ended up showing their real colours of hooliganism on the roads of Delhi.

It is unfortunate that the Modi government instead of addressing the issues raised by intellectuals from different fields and reining in the fringe elements which seem to be crossing all limits of decency with each passing day, is indulging in a game of brazening it out.

Modi government must understand that voices of dissent are the basic essence of a healthy democracy and instead of treating it as a situation of adversity, it must immediately embark on a path of course correction by initiating a dialogue in a conducive atmosphere.