Government slams Anna Hazare, day before planned protest

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The government has lashed out at activist Anna Hazare, just a day before his planned protest in New Delhi.

Ministers Kapil Sibal and Ambika Soni launched the attack at a press conference in the capital today saying it was okay for the public to protest but it's not 'up to them to pick a place of protest'.

"Hundreds cannot just assemble at a place and start shouting slogans," Kapil Sibal said, adding that Anna Hazare was only interested in getting cameras pointed at him.

"Freedom doesn't mean doing whatever you like."

Pranab's attack

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee also joined in the attack today, alleging that the activist was 'challenging' the Constitution and Parliament authority and such a step is 'not acceptable'.

"What Anna Hazare is doing is akin to challenging the constitutional authority of Parliament which is not acceptable," the finance minister said a day after Hazare, who had sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention over the conditions imposed for his indefinite fast from August 16, was snubbed by the PM and told to approach the Delhi Police.

The Delhi Police had asked Hazare to limit his fast programme to three days and restrict the congregation to 5,000, which he criticised and even sought the Prime Minister's intervention into the issue.

On Hazare's opposition to the restrictions on his proposed agitation, Mukherjee said: "We have given a venue to Anna Hazare. It may or may not be liked by him. But the fact of the matter is there are certain places where we do not allow people to come and congregate like the Writers' Buildings (state secretariat in Kolkata) and the Assembly where (Section) 144 is imposed".

Reflecting the government's tough stand on the stir, Mukherjee said, "We shall have to keep in mind that in indefinite hunger strike, the legal connotation of which I do not know, nobody in our society as per our law is allowed to commit suicide. It is the responsibility of the administration to look into these aspects."

Anna 'himself is corrupted'

The Congress party fired its first salvo at Hazare when it said the activist 'himself was involved in corruption' and this has been proven by the Supreme Court-appointed Justice Sawant Commission.

"Anna Hazare has not only insulted the Indian prime minister by saying with what face he will hoist the flag at Red Fort but has insulted the Indian flag and people who gave life for the country's freedom," said Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari.

He alleged that while Hazare talks about fighting against corruption, he has been involved in corruption.

"He himself is involved in several cases of corruption. This has been proved by the apex court appointed Justice Sawant Commission. The commission found that Anna runs several NGOs and money was spent illegally for his birthday celebration," alleged Tewari.