Lucknow, October 18: Veteran social activist Anna Hazare’s key aide Arvind Kejriwal was attacked by a youth named Jeetendra Pathak, who hurled a slipper at him here on Tuesday.
Kejriwal was on his way to attend a programme as their campaign against corruption when the incident took place.
One of Hazare’s supporters, however, told media persons here that Kejriwal has forgiven the youth.
“Kejriwal is safe. He does not belong to any political party. Kejriwal has forgiven him. He shouted at Kejriwal, but he could not hear his call. His name is Jeetendra Pathak. Every person has the right to express his anger in a democracy and Kejriwal has forgiven him,” he said.
The attacker has been arrested.
This is the second attack on a member of Team Anna in the last ten days, as earlier on October 12 senior Supreme Court lawyer Bhushan was beaten up by some youths suspected to be from Sriram Sena in his Supreme Court lawyers” chambers as they were upset with his stand on Jammu and Kashmir.
It may be recalled that Kejriwal had earlier on Saturday said that he has been receiving messages of his office being attacked, and termed the whole episode to be a conspiracy against the civil society activists.
“I have been receiving messages from yesterday that my office will be attacked. I have been receiving these messages from yesterday evening that people would attack on us. Are they the same people, who had attacked day before yesterday? So, we all had a telephonic conversation and decided that we will not hit back on somebody,” Kejriwal told media persons in Pune.
“We will try to make them convince that violence is not the solution. If they think assault or violence to be a solution, then many of our volunteers are ready to get assaulted. People will sit outside our offices and tell them that if you want to beat us, you are welcome. We will try to talk and not indulge in any fighting. But violence is not the solution,” he added.
—Source:Ah