Do not fail this country: Congress tells Modi, Kejriwal on Delhi violence

The Congress on Tuesday (February 25) condemned the violence in Delhi and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to come forward to ensure peace and maintain brotherhood while rising above partisan politics.

Addressing a press conference, Congress’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the party appeals to the people of Delhi to maintain communal harmony and thwart all attempts of the forces dividing the country on the basis of religion.

“This is Gandhi, Nehru and Patel’s India. Can any Indian accept this mindless violence?” Surjewala asked.

LIVE: Shri @rssurjewala addresses media at AICC HQ https://t.co/4NCP0wnxw8

— Congress Live (@INCIndiaLive) February 25, 2020

Unabated violence and incidents of stone-pelting and murder in the national capital have shattered the nation, he said, while referring to the riots in northeast Delhi over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act that continued for the third day, and demanded stern action against the culprits.

“Our appeal to the prime minister, the home minister and the Delhi chief minister is, can you rise to the occasion, leave aside your political partisanship and views, and become really not leaders of your parties but leaders of the society so that harmony, peace and non-violence prevail,” he said.

The Congress party will stand with the Centre and the Delhi government in every way to maintain brotherhood and harmony in the society, he said.

“Do not fail this country because you belong to different political parties,” Surjewala said, adding this was a sincere appeal “on behalf of people of Delhi and the country” to Modi, Shah and Kejriwal.

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“There is no place for violence in Gandhi ji’s India… Today there is a need to establish peace on the ground and maintain brotherhood,” he said.

Surjewala said the party also prays for the speedy recovery of DCP Amit Sharma and the hundreds of other people who have been injured in the violence.

“We also condemn the firing at three journalists Arvind Gunasekar, Saurabh Shukla and Akash and pray for their good health,” he said.

“We strongly condemn these brutal riots and demand that the culprits be identified and stern action is taken against the real culprits and miscreants. The Congress mourns the death of head constable Ratan Lal and others in the violence,” Surjewala said.

(With inputs from agencies)