By IANS,
Ralegan Siddhi (Maharashtra) : Hundreds of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers staged a demonstration near social activist Anna Hazare’s residence here Friday to protest against his remarks over the attack on Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.
The demonstrators shouted slogans and condemned Hazare for what they said were his “insensitive comments”.
More than 25 NCP workers were detained in Ralegan Siddhi Friday, following the protests. Hazare’s security was also beefed up owing to the protests. Four more commandos were deployed for the purpose.
After Pawar was slapped in New Delhi Thursday, Hazare, who has for long held politicians responsible for much of India’s ills, first said: “Was it only one slap?”
Once he realised the gravity of what had happened, he clarified: “He (the accused) could have been angry, but it is not right to hit someone. Our democracy does not allow such attacks.”
Later, Hazare offered to apologize.
He said he was addressing a group of people when he received a note about the attack on Pawar.
“After reading the note, I wanted to know if the attacker stopped after the slap or or was there some other kind of violence,” Hazare explained.