« Back to article

Print this article

Pawar slapped, NCP protests, Hazare laughs

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar was on Thursday slapped by a youth at a public function, who claimed that he was angry with corruption and price rise.

Pawar, 71, who went to a literary function at a public auditorium on Parliament Street, was slapped by Harvinder Singh, a transporter in his thirties who had assaulted former telecom minister Sukhram outside a court on Saturday after he was sentenced in a corruption case.

Pawar lost his balance but remained unperturbed after the assault. He moved towards the exit of the auditorium and got into his waiting car.

Private security guards immediately overpowered the youth, who was shouting "he is corrupt", and an official landed some blows on Singh.

"I came planned to the event to slap the minister," Singh told reporters.

"All of them are corrupt," he shouted when he was removed by security and policemen.

Pawar slapped, NCP protests, Hazare laughs

The attack on Sharad Pawar in Delhi on Thursday sparked protests in his home state Maharashtra and invited strong condemnation from political parties.

'Rasta roko' protests were held in Solapur and Nashik to condemn the attack on Pawar.

Senior Nationalist Congress Party Minister Laxman Dhoble led the 'rasta roko' at Mohol in Solapur district. The protesters shouted slogans, condemning the attack.

The NCP workers also held protests at Mulund and Worli areas of Mumbai. Some party workers were taken into custody in suburban Mulund for trying to disturb law and order, said a police official.

Tight security is being maintained across Mumbai following the incident, said the police.

Pawar slapped, NCP protests, Hazare laughs

Anna Hazare on Thursday tied himself in knots with his reaction to the attack on Sharad Pawar, initially appearing to respond with contempt and later condemning it.

"He got slapped! Only one slap," he said to a group of journalists who broke out in laughter at his reaction.

But he later condemned the incident, saying such acts of violence were not good.

"He (the attacker) may be very angry. This is not good. Anger is not good. Our Constitution does not tell us to be violent with anyone," Hazare told reporters in Ralegan Siddhi.