New Delhi, 8 October 2022: Facing heat for a controversial statement, Delhi Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam has claimed that BJP had fabricated “rumours” about him and apologized to “anyone who has been affected due to such propaganda”.
Delhi’s social welfare minister also shared a video of the gathering on October 5 where hundreds promised to convert to Buddhism and reject Hindu deities as gods went viral.
Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also came under attack from BJP which demanded that he fire Gautam.
BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia also took on AAP for hurting the sentiments of Hindus. He added that the “words were made at the behest of Kejriwal” and that “Gautam’s comments illustrate the hatred the party has for the community.”
Although Aam Aadmi Party and the Delhi government did not respond in an official capacity, but sources within AAP reported that the chief minister was “very angry” with Gautam.
In response to this, Gautam released a statement in which he accused the BJP of spreading “rumor” about him and asked “everyone who has been wounded due to such propaganda” to apologise.
He claimed that he found out about the BJP’s “rumor” campaign against him through the media. “I have a strong sense of faith. I personally respect every god and goddess, and I would never dare to offend a god or goddess in any way, shape, or form.”
The minister claimed that although he addressed concerns of social equality, price rise, employment, and health in his remarks at the event, BJP leaders were spreading “rumor” against him. In the statement, he said, “I am extremely wounded by this mischief of BJP leaders and ask an apology from everyone who has been harmed in any manner owing to such propaganda by the BJP.”
