More voices join chorus to condemn Anna for Modi praise

Noted filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, historian KN Panikkar and activist Shabnam Hashmi on Friday slammed anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare for his association with right-wing Hindu elements, accusing him of “moral hypocrisy” and being “authoritarian”.

Noted filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, historian KN Panikkar and activist Shabnam Hashmi on Friday slammed anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare for his association with right-wing Hindu elements, accusing him of “moral hypocrisy” and being “authoritarian”.

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“You cannot claim to be fighting against corruption while you are neglecting communalism. The attitude of Hazare is that of justifying the past history of communal violence. How could he praise Modi for prosperity of Gujarat and not talk about the need to root out the menace of communal corruption?” Bhatt asked.

Several minority-rights-advocacy organisations and noted individuals, such as Mallika Sarabhai, have criticised Hazare for praising Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi.

Hashmi alleged that the “visual imagery and language” through which Hazare conducted his movement was anti-minority.

She also alleged that Hazare had backed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackery’s drive against non-Maharastrians in Mumbai.

Historian KN Panikkar said: “The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh activists have been participating in the movement. And the attitude of Anna has been one of justifying the past history of Hindu communal forces.”

Separately, a group of over 50 individuals, including Transparency International India director, admiral RH Tahiliani, denounced the ongoing “smear campaign” against Prashant Bhushan.