BJP vs AAP Over Shaheen Bagh Shooter, His family adds a twist

The family of the man who fired shots at the Shaheen Bagh protest in Delhi last week has denied that he is linked to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), contracting the police and intensifying the raging political fight between AAP and the BJP just three days before elections in the capital.

Last evening, the police said Kapil Gujjar, 25, who shouted “Jai Shri Ram” as he fired shots near the anti-citizenship law protest at Shaheen Bagh in South Delhi on Saturday, had confessed to being a member of AAP. They also released a photo from the shooter’s phone that they said established him as an AAP member, wearing the party’s trademark cap.

Despite photos in which Kapil Gujjar is seen with senior AAP leaders like Sanjay Singh and Atishi, his father and brother have denied any connection with Delhi’s ruling party.

“Neither I nor my family has anything to do with AAP. They came to the campaign during the Lok Sabha election (last year) and made us all wear AAP caps and that is what the photos are,” Kapil’s father Gaje Singh said.

“I used to be in BSP and fought an election as BSP candidate in 2012. After that I was unwell so I quit politics. We have nothing to do with politics. This time, when the BJP candidate came to campaign here, I garland him too like I would welcome any other candidate,” he added.

Kapil Gujjar had fired two or three times in the air, standing near the spot where hundreds of women and chicken were sitting. While being led away, he was heard saying: “Humare desh mein sirf Hinduon ki chalegi aur kisi ki nahi.”