Hazare cautions people against those creating 'schisms'

Under attack from camp followers in Gujarat, social activist Anna Hazare today cautioned people against those trying to create “schisms” and “discord” in the anti-corruption movement and appealed they stayed united.

Warning against attempts to break civil society’s campaign against graft in the wake of the controversy over his endorsing Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and some allegations, the 73-year-old anti-corruption crusader also said he was pained he had to explain himself time and again on the BJP stalwart.

Hazare had praised Modi for his developmental efforts in Gujarat but quickly came under criticism by several activists in the state involved in the campaign against corruption. The activists included Mallika Sarabhai who said she was shocked at Hazare’s endorsement. Social activist Medha Patkar also said Hazare’s public praise of Modi was unacceptable and compromised the battle against corruption. Swami Agnivesh, however, came to the defence of Hazare saying the controversy over his praise of Modi was “needless.”

In an open letter to “fellow citizens”, Hazare said people involved in the campaign against corruption could not afford to dissipate their energies on “arguing over non-issues”.