There is an atmosphere of hate all around: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday evening said he was a "staunch Hindu" and a "vegetarian" who considers cow as a "mother", but "it is a little painful to see the conditions in the country". Directly mentioning the " atmosphere of hate all around", Kejriwal appealed to all "those who talk about Hindu religion" to focus not on non-vegetarians instead on "Sita mother being dishonoured" everywhere by rapists and molesters.

Speaking at an event in Ghummanhera village in rural Delhi regarding disbursal of compensation cheques for farmers, Kejriwal said, "It is a little painful to see the conditions in the country. Artists have been murdered in different parts of the country. It's being said in different parts that one who eats cow meat should be killed…in Haryana, Dalits have been killed. There is an atmosphere of hate all around. I also worship the cow, consider her my mother. I am a vegetarian. I felt like vomiting when some friends tried to feed me non-veg food in college…" Having made his beliefs clear, the Aam Aadmi Party supremo then went to give the example of Lord Ram who was least interested in keeping power to himself. The former's essential point was that Hindus worship Ram because he fought a righteous battle for Sita, who had been "dishonoured".

At this point, Kejriwal then sought to switch attention from beef eating, intolerance to women's safety, but with a religious twist. "Sita mother is being dishonoured everywhere. 1500 women have been raped in Delhi since 1 January. To those who talk about Hindu religion, they should learn from Lord Ram, who had given up power. Lord Ram took revenge for the dishonor of Sita. Among the 1500 women, there were those from all religions. Everyone will have to join to take revenge of their dishonor. Politicians are only interested in the politics of votes, they are interested in dividing the country for politics. It is the Aam Aadmi Party which is the only hope," he said.

He also cited the communal tensions in Punjab, saying those tearing apart the pages of Guru Granth Sahib were "demons" neither Hindu, nor Muslim or Sikh. These incidents will stop once polls are done with, he suggested.