Mon Jan 06 17:09:20 UTC 2025: ## AAP Leader Self-Flagellates Over Gujarat’s Failure to Deliver Justice
**Surat, Gujarat:** Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Italia publicly flogged himself today in Surat, Gujarat, expressing his failure to secure justice for victims of alleged state injustices, including a young woman paraded by police.
The incident followed a case where a 25-year-old woman, arrested for allegedly defaming a BJP MLA, was shown in a video being publicly paraded by police after her arrest. While she was granted bail on Friday, the incident sparked outrage.
In a video of the self-flagellation, Italia is seen striking himself with a belt while other AAP leaders attempt to intervene. He cited several high-profile incidents in Gujarat – including the Morbi bridge collapse, a Vadodara boat capsize, hooch tragedies, fires, and exam paper leaks – as examples of failures to deliver justice.
“I have been unable to ensure justice to the victims,” Italia stated before the act, adding in a later video statement that he and other AAP leaders have fought for justice in vain. He hoped his self-punishment would awaken the public conscience.
Italia previously criticized the BJP government for allegedly shielding scamsters while punishing the Amreli woman, who he claimed was “just doing her job.” The case highlights ongoing concerns about alleged police misconduct and the state’s handling of justice.
First Piper 