New Delhi: After courting controversy over
his 'slap for corruption' remarks, Anna Hazare on Friday distanced
himself from it saying that he has never advocated violence
and accused section of politicians of conspiring to brand him
as a "big criminal".
In his latest blog, Hazare said he has been fighting
against corruption for the past so many years but has never
beaten anyone asked anybody to do so.
"But this (beating of someone) is being linked to me
again and again. I am now being projected as a big criminal
without thinking or understanding what I have said. This is
unfortunate," Hazare said.
His remarks in the blog came following a controversy over
his comments after watching a Hindi movie 'Gali Gali Chor Hai'
on corruption that a person is left with no option but to slap
when his power of tolerance of corruption runs out.
Citing the protests for a strong Lokpal Bill, the
74-year-old activist said he had never used the language of
violence and all his agitations were non-violent.
He claimed that the remarks were being misused to spread
misconceptions about him.
Declaring that he will embark on a nation-wide tour soon
after he recovers from his illness during which he will
"awaken" the people on the issue of corruption, he said he
will not speak about indulging in violence.
"Soon after I regain my health, I will embark on an all-
India tour. Then the corrupt people will understand that the
allegations they level against me will not have an effect on
people," he said.
Hazare had called off his three-day hunger strike in
Mumbai last month mid-way as his health deteriorated. He could
not go on the proposed campaign in the Assembly polls as
doctors asked him not to venture out.
Hazare said he had spoken about the film and told the
media that there is a limit for a man to tolerate anything and
wondered what is the option before a common man other than
slapping someone if corruption and injustice cross that limit.
"This I told the media when they asked me about the film.
Anna Hazare has not slapped anyone or have sent a message to
slap someone.Some people are playing politics on this and
started conspiring," he said.
Hazare alleged that many in politics were conspiring to
tarnish the anti-corruption movement spearheaded by him.
"They did not succeed (in tarnishing us after doing so
many things) because I have never allowed even a small stain
to stick on me," he said.
PTI
First Published: Friday, January 27, 2012, 17:01