Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: The UPA government, Tuesday, washed its hands off the detention of Anna Hazare, hours before he was to go on fast over the issue of a strong anti-corruption law.
Government’s view was spelt out by Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said that the government has nothing to do with decision to detain the veteran Gandhian.
She said that there has been police action is politically influenced. “Police is free from any political intervention; there is no political pressure on the police,” Soni said.
Soni argued: “If police is stopped from doing its duties, they will definitely take action,” adding, “Can anyone guarantee peaceful protests if thousands gather?”
Rejecting the charge that the government has targeted Anna, she said that it has always been the rule that Section 144 is imposed in the vicinity of the Parliament when it is in session.
Earlier, Home Secretary R K Singh had said that Anna Hazare was detained because he said he intended to defy prohibitory orders.
Taking in on the opposition, Soni said that it is wrong to compare today’s situation with Emergency.
Soni’s clarification came after a meeting of Cabinet Committee of Political Affairs (CCPA).
Clearly, the government appears concerned about how the Anna led anti-corruption movement will play out amid reports that protests have started across the nation over what is being termed as muffling of democratic voice.
The CPPA meet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was also attended by Home Minister P Chidambaram, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister AK Antony and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.
The 73-year-old Gandhian was taken into custody from a residential area in Delhi before he was to proceed to the venue of his fast in JP Park where prohibitory orders are
in place.
