Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Wednes-day criticised self-styled Gandhian Anna Hazare for justifying the recent physical assault on him, saying Mr Hazare had redefined “Gandhism” and “non-violence”.
Mr Pawar’s remarks followed a blog posting by Mr Hazare in which he said: “Mr Pawar has an old habit of protecting corrupt people; one should think why he was attacked”.
The minister said if he faced any future assault, “it is amply clear from where the instigation emanates”. He said he was hurt by An-na’s “vituperative” views, but said his (Pawar’s) followers should address Mr Hazare’s utterances matur-ely and with restraint, without resorting to any retaliatory violence. Mr Hazare refused to comment on Mr Pawar’s remarks.