New Delhi, August 15: Social activist Anna Hazare is the man many see as a leading anti-corruption crusader, but the government is now questioning his moral credibility. His indefinite fast may run into trouble with the Delhi police. It is slated to begin on Tuesday that is August 16.
A Civil Society team member is likely to hand over the undertaking that the Delhi police has asked for – signing on conditions they agree to. If they don’t agree to all 22 conditions, and the Delhi Police refuse permission for the fast, Anna and his supporters plan to march from Mayur Vihar to JP Park between 8 and 9 am on Tuesday.
As of now, the park has been locked down. Officials though say this is part of the Independence Day security arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Congress party and government have launched their offensive against Anna Hazare. They are citing the decade-old Sawant report that blamed him for corrupt practices.
The Justice PB Sawant Commission report so often quoted by Anna Hazare’s adversaries, both political and otherwise, resurfaced 48 hours before Anna Hazare’s proposed fast for Jan Lokpal Bill.
Ahead of his indefinite fast on the Lokpal issue, the social activist lashed out at the Congress for calling him corrupt according to the Sawant Commission Report. Hazare said, “Charges levelled against me are false. I dare them to conduct an enquiry against me.”
Gandhian Hazare also added, “Till the time my name is cleared I will continue my fast.”
The enquiry against some Maharashtra government ministers and Hazare himself was critical of Anna on these counts that Rs 2.2 lakh were spent on celebrating his 60th birthday in 1998-1999 by the Hind Swaraj Trust of which Anna himself is a trustee. The commission called this expenditure illegal utilisation of trust funds.
The same report called acquisition of 89 acres of land by the trust and alienation of 11 acres out of of it to Ahmednagar Zilla Parishad as illegal.
Hazare at a press conference said, “I was not indicted for corruption by the inquiry commission.”
However the man who conducted the enquiry Justice Sawant himself underlines that Hazare and his trust were indeed guilty of corruption.
Chairman of Sawant Commission Justice PB Sawant though said “he was indicted”.
And the Congress party at the receiving end of the team Anna campaign has latched on to this opportunity. Congress Spokesperson Manish Tiwari at a press conference on Sunday said, “This is to show some people their place.”
Sukhtankar Committee formed to recommend action on the Justice Sawant report however did not seek any action against Anna. But the question remains that why after so many years these allegations are being made by the Congress.
Congress Spokesperson Manish Tewari earlier on Saturday slammed Anna for his remarks on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hoisting the National Flag on August 15. “Anna has violated basic courtesy, it’s not an insult to the Prime Minister but to the National Flag for which many gave away their lives.”
Union Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal also said that the right to protest does not mean the right for the desired place where you can protest.
“If the citizens of this country have rights, they have responsibilities also,” Sibal said.
Is the congress using the report now to attack Anna on the eve of his fast? At the same time, should Anna Hazare not answer the questions raised by the Sawant Commission as he leads the anti-corruption campaign in the national capital.
–Agencies–