The RSS has apparently issued a whip to the BJP to extend all possible support to social activist Anna Hazare. The signals from the Sangh headquarters at Nagpur came on Wednesday, when the BJP took an anti-line and criticised Mr Hazare’s call to picket outside homes of the MPs.
However, in a startling revelation, a member of Team Anna, Swami Agnivesh told this newspaper, that while moving out from Tihar Jail, it was decided and Delhi police were also informed that 'Anna would neither fast unto death nor would do an indefinite fast'.
Targeting Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Prashan Bhushan, he said, “Yeh bahut galat kaam ho rahe hain (All very wrong things are taking place). Anna is being wrongly advised.”
He said that 'these people (Mr Kejriwal, Ms Bedi and Mr Bhushans) think, the movement will fizzle out if Anna breaks his fast'.
During the last two days, Swami Ahgnivesh stayed away from Ramlila Maidan, as he was 'deeply hurt by Team Anna’s behaviour. Criticising demonstrations in front of the residences of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi and MPs, Swami felt that this could 'turn violent anytime'.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that the RSS told the BJP leadership that it should 'back Anna Hazare, both inside and outside Parliament'. A signal has also been sent across the country to swayamsevaks to move towards Delhi in support of Anna Hazare, sources said.
Speaking in Indore, the RSS sarkaryavah, Suresh Joshi went on record saying, 'the government must not repress the Anna Hazare’s anti corruption campaign'.
He also made it clear that the 'RSS supports anti-graft campaign by Anna'. In its latest issue, describing Anna’s stir as 'nothing short of a revolution', the RSS mouthpiece, 'Organiser' in the editorial targeted the UPA and the Gandhi clan.
“....Anna Hazare has cornered Congress. The Manmohan-Sonia nautanki (drama) has been exposed....Is it the death knell for dynasty politcs ?”
Also, the so called peaceful and non-violent stir has taken a violent turn. Drunken protestors reportedly roughed up a scribe a few days ago and on Thursday they forced shopkeepers to down shutters.
On Friday, an Anna supporter entered the Parliament and took off his shirt, shouting slogans in Anna’s favour - and raising security concerns.
The situation is expected to get worse, when RSS cadres begin entering the national capital in support of the agitation.