Atishi

“It was clear to us that social movements and activism can only take us so far in our mission.”

“Political parties usually accept funding from large industrialists and are then obliged to bow down to the demands of these individuals. When the government is funded by people's money, it will work for the people.”

“After I returned from Oxford, I spent 5-6 years in a village in Madhya Pradesh - 25 km. outside Bhopal - along with a group of people working with the communities. But, over time, we realised that there were just too many constraints, and for ordinary citizens to be the change agent was not that easy.”

“I think people would say we have seen consequences of voting for Modi: nothing changed in our lives. Our children still don't have education. They don't have jobs. Women are still not safe.”

“Politics also reflects the fault lines in our society, and the fact is that it is not very easy for any marginalised group to come forward in any domain.”

“I belong to a Punjabi Hindu family.”

“Safety and security in East Delhi is a very big concern, and this is an across-class concern. It isn't an issue that one segment faces and another does not... But because Delhi Police comes under the central government, there are virtually no steps being taken.”

“Unlike the Congress, the AAP stands for democratic rights of states, stands against the infringement of democratic rights by the Centre.”

“My parents believed in the ideology of the Left. And being influenced by Marxism and Leninism theories, they chose Marlena as my second name.”

“We are against politics of religion and caste.”

“Election funding is one of the biggest fault lines in our electoral system.”

“I do not want to waste time in proving my identity to people.”

“Everyone knows Gautam Gambhir is a star who is going to be in Bombay, London, and Johannesburg. He is not going to be available to attend to people of his constituency.”

“We intend to follow one strategy: that is to reach out to each and every resident in the constituency. We do not believe in just waving to the people from cars.”

“AAP is like a start-up. You do roles you would have never imagined.”

“Anyone who sends their children now to government schools usually does it because they can't afford private education. I went to a government college where 350 out of 400 girls said their brothers go to private schools.”

“Non-violent protests have reached a plateau. There is no other way but to get into politics to make your voice heard.”

“Just and equal society could be made by drastically improving the condition of India's public schools.”

“My actual surname is Singh, and I come from a Punjabi Rajput family. Had I wanted to appease voters, then I would have gladly used my real surname.”

“Gautam Gambhir is a fantastic cricketer, and he has made India proud as far as his cricketing skills are concerned.”