Daijiworld Media Network - Ahilyanagar
Ahilyanagar (Maharashtra), Nov 11: Veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday responded sharply to Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi's claim that his 2011 'India Against Corruption' movement had covert support from the BJP and RSS, saying she should focus instead on the welfare of the country.
In her memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', Sonia Gandhi described Baburao 'Anna' Hazare, a prominent social activist from Maharashtra, as the leading figure of the India Against Corruption movement.
She wrote that several prominent individuals associated with the movement later claimed that it had received "covert support from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh".
Gandhi also recalled that Hazare was brought to Delhi amid considerable fanfare and publicity, where he launched a hunger strike.
Reacting to the remarks while speaking to reporters, Hazare said several people from the RSS and BJP had also left their homes to participate in his movement, but maintained that he had never considered any political party.
"Several people from the RSS and BJP also went home because of my movement. I do not think about any political party. For me, only society and the country matter. It is not right to have such a narrow outlook. Think about the country, the direction it is heading in and the condition of our nation and not about such petty things," he said.
Hazare asserted that he had no association with either the Congress or the BJP, adding that his focus had always remained on the interests of society and the country.
Citing his efforts during droughts, he said he used his pension money to help affected people and urged others to concentrate on social welfare.
The activist also compared the criticism to stones being thrown at a fruit-bearing tree.
"Why would someone throw stones at a tree which doesn't bear fruits?" he asked.
Maintaining that he had dedicated his entire life to society and the nation, Hazare said criticism would not deter him from continuing his responsibilities.
"I have dedicated my entire life for the society and the country, so it does not matter what people say. I will keep shouldering my responsibility," he added.
Hazare also spoke about his upcoming book, 'Anna Hazare: Gram Yogi', which he said would detail his life story.
"People should read it, they will learn from it. I do not concern myself with what others write about me," he said.
Meanwhile, Sonia Gandhi, in her memoir, noted that the anti-corruption movement had attracted massive crowds and put the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and the Congress on the defensive.
She also wrote that after the movement's opponents achieved their main objective of dislodging the UPA government, "nothing more was heard or written about Anna Hazare".