Protests outside AAP office with 'Get Well Soon' messages

NEW DELHI: A day after AAP and BJP supporters clashed here, a group of about 50 people staged a silent dharna outside AAP's office with placards of "Get Well Soon" and roses and were offered tea in return.

The protestors, who also pasted "Get Well Soon" messages on their shirts, waved the placards to AAP workers entering their office at Hanuman Road. They even gave roses to some AAP volunteers.

"People talk of Gandhi and his ideals, but hardly follow them. We have come here to show that protest can be done in a silent and peaceful manner," said Kanhai Srivastava (22), a law student of Delhi University, about the "Gandhigiri" style of protest.

"We were disturbed that people from this particular political party (AAP) were involved in violent protest," he said.

"We are not from any political party. Most of the protestors have come here through Facebook contacts and many are relatives and friends," he claimed said.

However, when asked whether a similar protest was being held outside BJP's office he replied in negative.

Abhishek Kapoor (32), a web developer by profession, added that he was unhappy with the way AAP had conducted itself.

"I was at Connaught Place when I saw these people protesting and I joined them. We want to tell Arvind Kejriwal not to panic and stay calm and abide by the Constitution," he said.

Siddharth Singh (34), another businessman from Malviya Nagar, said he was "disillusioned" with AAP's politics and came to protest.

However, another person who declined to be named said the protestors were indeed BJP supporters, but did not reveal the name of the leader who had asked these people to protest outside the AAP office.

Incidentally, mid-way the protestors were also joined by another band of people comprising women and teenagers. When asked why they had come here, one of the women from the group who declined to be identified said, "I don't know why I am here."

She was, however, prodded by the group leader who prompted to her to say that she was here to protest. The group, however, left in a few minutes.

Meanwhile, the AAP volunteers responded the favour by offering these volunteers tea.