Following protests over his attendance at a religious conversion event in Delhi on Friday, Rajendra Pal Gautam, the minister of social welfare for Delhi, resigned.
Rajendra Pal Gautam, the minister of social welfare for Delhi, resigned today in the wake of vehement BJP objections over his attendance at a religious conversion event in Delhi on Friday.
Following his resignation, Mr. Gautam tweeted that it was Manyavar Kanshi Ram Saheb’s death anniversary and Maharishi Valmiki Ji’s manifestation day. Unexpectedly, today also happens to be my birthday, and I’ve been freed from a lot of restrictions. Now, I shall steadfastly and without limitations carry on fighting for rights and against social injustices.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which describes itself as the major opposition to the ruling BJP in Gujarat, where assembly elections are scheduled to take place later this year, has been the target of attacks from the BJP due to Mr. Gautam’s attendance at the religious conversion event.
In a statement on Friday, Mr. Gautam accused the BJP of spreading “rumors” about him and expressed regret to anyone who had been harmed as a result of this propaganda. I have a strong sense of religion, he remarked. I personally respect all Gods and Goddesses, and I would never think of disgracing a god in thought, word, or deed.
The minister continued by saying that he had spoken at the event about topics such as social equality, price increases, employment, and health care, but BJP leaders were making false accusations against him.
I shall have no confidence in Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara, and I shall not worship them, the AAP Minister was heard declaring while taking an oath at the event, along with thousands of others.
Following the incident, the BJP attacked Mr. Kejriwal and demanded that he fire Mr. Gautam. Additionally, they displayed anti-him posters that were later taken down by his followers in front of yesterday’s protest in Vadodara, Gujarat.
I was born on Janmashtami, he continued. God sent me with the specific directive to eliminate Kansa ki aulaad and the corrupt individuals.