New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) Gandhian Anna Hazare was arrested Tuesday for refusing to abide by conditions imposed by police regarding his proposed hunger strike, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said Tuesday.

He told reporters that when Delhi Police imposed certain conditions, Team Anna refused to embrace them.

"If someone says we will defy the orders, I think this is unacceptable in a democracy," he said. "It is a real regret that police have taken this action."

"This government is not against democratic or peaceful protests," he said. "Democratic or peaceful protests are a part of the right of a free citizen.

"We acknowledge that right but that right is subject to conditions laid down by authorities charged with the duty to maintain law and order."

Chidambaram added that he was ready to make a statement in parliament on the Hazare situation. "But they (opposition) did not want the statement."

Activists condemn Hazare arrest

New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) Social activists Aruna Roy and Nikhil Dey Tuesday condemned the arrest of Gandhian Anna Hazare.

"(We) condemn the refusal of permission by Delhi Police to Hazare and his team to fast peacefully," they said in a statement.

"While we disagree with some of India Against Corruption's demands, (we) support their fundamental democratic right to peacefully protest.

"We demand that the authorities immediately give permission (to them) to hold their peaceful protest without imposing unreasonable conditions."

Team Anna unlikely to move Supreme Court Tuesday

New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) Senior Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan said it was unlikely that activist Anna Hazare and his team would Tuesday move the Supreme Court, challenging their detention.

"It is not possible to move the court today as we don't have the signatures of Anna Hazare, Shanti Bhushan, Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwala on the petition," Bhushan told IANS.

"Their whereabouts are not known," he added.

Hazare and three members of his team were detained in the morning.