New Delhi: After courting controversy for his
comments on Sharad Pawar being slapped by a youth, Anna Hazare
today fired a fresh salvo, saying the Agriculture minister has
an "old habit of protecting corrupt people".
In his blog, Hazare alleged that Pawar turned a blind eye
to a number of corruption cases. "If an inquiry is ordered, it
will become clear who has been responsible. This shows that
Sharad Pawar has an old habit of protecting corrupt people,"
he said.
Hazare said many politicians felt very bad and got angry
about the slapping incident on November 24. A youth, who has
since been arrested, had slapped Pawar as he was coming out of
a function here.
"But it is important to discuss as to why did that youth
slap. Today, corruption is rising day-by-day. This corruption
has made it difficult for the ordinary people to live. So much
inflation is due to corruption only.
"It is increasingly becoming difficult for people to run
their families. When the limit to patience ends, then some
people take law in their own hands and commit such acts," he
said.
"He got slapped! Only one slap?" This was Hazare's first
reaction to group of journalists on the slapping incident.
In his blog, the Gandhian admitted that he "committed
violence" when he reacted that way to the incident but went on
to add that for the betterment of society, "I do not consider
this violence as wrong."
Accusing Pawar of "keeping the company of corrupt
people", he said the NCP chief had supported his party leader
and relative Padamsingh Patil who was facing corruption
charges.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, December 06, 2011, 21:42