Thousands of AAP topi sporting, jhadu wielding AAP activists took out processions in various urban pockets across the country, exhorting people not to spread falsehoods and mislead others on April Fools Day. Raising anti April Fools slogans such as “only truth, no fool”, “make April Fools Day a day of truth”, AAP activists peacefully picketed offices, and sat on dharnas outside restaurants and malls to snuff out any celebrations. The processions were by and large peaceful except in South Delhi’s Khirki extension where the gang led by Somnath Bharti turned violent after the resident Ugandans called them ‘fools’.
April Fools’ Day is to AAP activists what Valentine’s Day is to Shiv Sainiks, the inherent immorality of the two ‘festivals’ leaving members of both parties perturbed. Just as Shiv Sainiks go ballistic when they spot amorous couples in parks, many AAP workers lose their temper when someone takes then for a ride with messages such as:
Just in: Reliable sources tell us that Kumar Vishwas is in talks with BJP leadership and is ready to abandon AAP very soon
— Voice of the people (@janlokpal) April 1, 2014
Arvind Kejriwal urged all aam aadmis of AAP to take the falsehoods hurled at them in their stride but not to descend to the levels of their detractors. “Friends, today a lot of miscreants and agents of Ambani will try to mislead you. But that doesn’t mean we also behave like them. Then how are we different from them? I urge you all to exercise restraint on this inauspicious day while not straying from the path of truth. Slowly but surely, with love and peace, we will turn April Fools’ Day into April Truth Day,” Kejriwal posted on his Facebook page.
AAP’s second rung of leadership tried to shore up morale by hinting that Arvind will get back at those celebrating April Fools’ Day by soon essaying “the mother of all U-turns”.