Varanasi a danger zone of Indian democracy?  Kejriwal faced hostile Modi supporters :

Clash averted: Under police protection kejriwal left the scene: One youth injured, Another detained

Keshav Paan ki Dukan (Varanasi), April 17. This evening also, I was in the right place at the right time.It was an eye witness reporting opportunity, though with potential dangers. Almost about one hour, just behind the Aap leadership and in front of angry crowd I was watching the dance of Indian democracy. Fortunately it was not turned into a Tandava dance of Lord Shiva., in his  capital city -Varanasi.

Amid slogans and counter slogans for about one hour, Kejriwal was escorted safely to his SUV, with a few workers mounted on the either side of the vehicle , Aap leaders left the area. Police used mild force to clear the way and in ensuing stampede one youth sustained head injuries .Another youth was detained and was taken to police thana just 50 metres away from the scene of trouble. My News Agency samsakara did not permit me to use sensational words like Kejriwal rescued, though it was just that for any newspapermen.

Yesterday I was at the Pappu chai ki Dukan, where Arvind Kejriwal, along with his comrades Manish Sisodia and Sanjai Singh interacted with local people. The Dukan is a Modi stronghold, though the Modi supporters vacated the place in time to enable the guests to examine nerve of Banarasis. Today was quite different. When I reached at Keshav Paan ki Dukan, Rajendra , after offering a paan to me said, " Kejriwal is about to visit the spot." This world famous paan shop is an essential learning spot for any outsider. And , though belatedly , Kejriwal was expected to arrive here, and, yes I was there to do eyewitness reporting, a self professed charity for national and international media.

About half an hour later, around 8.30 PM, Kejriwal caravan was sighted . Through Sant Ravidas Gate, a group of about 100 Aap workers slowly approached us. I was sitting on the elevated shop just behind Rajendra ,who was busy m along with his brother and workers,  applying kathha and chuna on betel leaves . " Lo aa Gaya, Rajendra announced.

Instead of directly coming to shop he along with his supporters , climb down in the basement, where Jagadish Paan ki Dukan, Yadav Chai ki Dukan and Cafe at Home were located.. Rajendra was disappointed, though he knew that his shop can not be ignored. And if they ignore his shop , that will their own peril.

Moments later  we saw  a crowd of young students shouting some slogans. What is it? , who were they? we are just wondering, Lo Modi Brigade bhi aa gayi ( see Modi supporters also arrived, Rajendra said with amusement.

As Kejriwal was moving through basement corridors with his supporters, the crowd on the adjacent road swelled. There a deafening shout of Modi Modi. The protest is not a new thing for Kejriwal and his supporters, they actually enjoy it. Modi Modi shouts were retaliated with Kejriwal, Kejriwal. Just when heat was up Kejriwal came us to Kashav shop. There was a two feet wide corridor between Rajendra's paan chowki and railing. Rajendra welcomed Kejriwal and Manish Sidodia with folded hand. Kejriwal asked for a meetha paan and Manish added, " your shop is of world fame. Where ever in the world you go, people will mention paan of your shop. Rajendra was too worried about  the bawal just in front of his shop to acknowledge the compliments. Both Aap leaders recognized me, yesterday we met at the Pappu chai ki Dukan. In fact I was also present at Rail Bhavan venue, where Kejriwal sat on dharna, in the biting Delhi cold, just few day before the Republic Day, to press for his demand of removing some errant Delhi police officers..

Both Kejriwal and Manish somehow managed  to put kattha filled paan into their mouths safely. Kejriwal offered money, Rajendra politely refused, saying you are our guest.Then Aap leaders used the corridor as if it were manch of a public meeting, with their hands resting on the railing they waited to protest die down. As time passed the crowd only increased, the traffic on the road was halted. Police party accompanying Kejriwal were making frantic calls for reinforcement. No body came. Modi crowd became more hostile with Vapas Jao Vapas Jao ( go back, go back). Interestingly there was no way out for Aap leaders to leave the spot. Their way was blocked by slogan shouting protesters. Kejriwal remained composed though it was much more serious situation than a sudden slap or a few drops of ink.

As news spread TV warriors reached the scene; and as they focus cameras on crowd the slogans became more loud and threatening. Good clipping and good sound bite.Then innovative Aap mind worked and supporters brought some garlands. Kejriwal and Manish started throwing garlands, then flowers then pallets on the crowd. Nobody was ready to appreciate this gesture. It was like "pulgendava na maar, lagat karejava par chot. Flower pelting remained continued for a few minutes.In the meantime Rajendra again offered Paan to Kejriwal and Manish. Atypical Banarasi gesture.

A few more policemen arrived at the scene; Rajendra stood up with intention of downing the shutter. I stopped him, don't panic , nothing will happen. Actually was I was standing just behind his chowki, taking support of the shutter upside. It was a vantage position.

Kejriwal was not moving from his manch; waving hands towards crowd, throwing flying kisses. Really? Flying kisses? There was some silver lining too, when ever there was slogan of Bharat Mata Ki Jai or Vande Matram or Har Har Mahadev both sides join the roar, making it twice of decibel.

Then there was some activity on Police's part, A vehicle was brought. Police made a cordon around Kejriwal, pushed Modi supporter back and the hero was led to the vehicle. Road was blocked by protesters so, police made threatening posture, violently pushing people, using hands and batons, beat a few protesters. Amid stampede vehicle moved forward slowly.

When all was over I looked for my sandals which I removed for standing up inside the shop. No trace of sandals. Perhaps somebody used them in bawal . Barefooted I took a rickshaw, reached home and announced,my sandals came in the service of  the great Indian democracy.