By supporting assault on me, Anna has redefined Gandhism: Pawar

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday lashed out at Anna Hazare for his remarks justifying the recent physical attack on him, saying any further assault on him would be amply clear from where the instigation emanates.

However, in a statement, he appealed to his followers that Hazare's views and utterances should be addressed maturely and with restraint and should indulge in any retaliatory violence.

Pawar's statement came in response to a blog posting by Hazare in which he attacked the Nationalist Congress Party chief saying he has an "old habit of protecting corrupt people" and one should think why he was attacked.

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"I have no objection to Shri Hazare expressing his thoughts regarding me or my actions. However, in the event of any further physical assault on me, it would be amply clear from where the instigation or encouragement for such acts emanates," he said

"In the recent past, Shri Hazare by supporting the physical assault on me at a public function has given a new definition to the concept of 'Gandhism' and 'non-violence'," he said.

Pawar also said while he was hurt at the "vituperative" views expressed by Hazare, he would still appeal to all that his views or utterances should be addressed maturely and with restraint and no one should indulge any sort of retaliatory violence of word or deed.

Referring to Hazare's views on the Justice Sawant Commission report and the allegation that he had over the years given protection to corrupt individuals, the minister said the report has no direct or indirect reference to him.

Moreover, all the ministers indicted in the report have already tendered their resignation, he said adding, "It is ironical though that no action seems to have been taken on the issue of maladministration and corruption mentioned in Justice Sawant Commission regarding Anna Hazare."