NEW DELHI: Ram Jethmalani, MP, was beaten up by supporters of Janata Dal leader Chandra Shekhar in front of the latter’s residence here Friday morning, reports PTI.
Jethmalani, who had gone to Chandra Shekhar’s residence to begin a hunger strike there to persuade him to withdraw from the race for the National Front Parliamentary Party Leadership, was slapped and boxed by Chandra Shekar’s supporters.
Reporters present on the scene witnessed the agitated supporters dragging Jethmalani fora distance and tearing his shirt.
Jethmalani tried to shield himself with a book. His supporters were also beaten up.
Supporters of Jethmalani charged that the police arrived about 25 minutes after the incident.
In a letter Thursday night, Jeth malani had appealed to Chandra Shekhar, “to save the party from disgrace and collapse,”
He wrote, “If VP was reluctant, T would have supported you. Chaudhary Devi Lal tells me that if you do not enter the contest, he will not. He claims that he is in the field only because a contest is inevitable. So the entire responsibility is yours.”
Talking to reporters, Jethma lani said that, “if the assault serves any purpose it is worth it. Two more assaults are worth it, I will continue to be a on hunger strike.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 8, 1989
