I am pained by attack on protesters in Nagpur, we must not indulge in any kind of violence

Everyone has a right to protest

In Nagpur, there was a huge gathering. The hall could accommodate less than 1000 people. Therewere more than double that no seated in a ground just outside the hall with speakers and an LCDscreen. The program went off quite well.Almost at the end of the program, I was told by one of the organizers that some people werestanding outside the hall with black flags protesting against me. I requested him to call them insideon the stage. "We will talk to them. If they have any doubts, it is our duty to remove those doubts," Itold him.That person came back after a while and told me that the police had taken them away. I announcedfrom the stage that we are not against anyone and if anyone had any questions, we welcome them.If we are doing anything wrong, kindly let us know. We would try our best to rectify our mistakes.Subsequently, I was told that there was news in some sections of media that I was booed by theaudience etc. This was incorrect.Today in the morning, I have come to know from newspapers that those protesting against meoutside the hall were chased and assaulted by some people sitting in the audience in the ground.Obviously, I did not come to know about these developments because all this was happening outsidethe hall. The pictures in the newspapers are troublesome. Personally, I am pained to see those pics.I strongly condemn the violence on protestors. Everyone has a right to protest. This is a people'smovement against corruption. Every citizen is a part of this movement. Those who were protestingagainst me are also a part of this movement. They are our friends. If they have any questions orsuggestions or grievances, we will talk to them. We should not attack them. I apologise to those whowere assaulted and invite them for discussions. If we have been doing anything wrong in themovement, I assure them that we will correct ourselves

I also urge those friends who assaulted the protestors not to do this in future. Such violence is notonly against the basic ethos and philosophy of the movement but would also weaken themovement. Anna keeps saying - "hamare andar apmaan sehne ke shakti honi chahiye. Humen badese badi kurbani ke liye tayyar rehna hai." Such acts of violence are contrary to this philosophy. It onlyshows our impatience. We have to win over people through love and dialogue. Beating them upwould alienate them forever and divert the issues

I urge all those who feel that they are a part of this movement never to indulge in any kind of violence

Arvind Kejriwal