RALEGAN SIDDHI: In remarks that could stoke a fresh controversy, Gandhian Anna Hazare on Tuesday night said a person is left with no option other than going for a slap when his power of tolerance of corruption runs out.
“When a man’s power of tolerance runs out, then whoever is in front of you, if a slap is given, then the brain is put back in place. That is the only road open now”, Hazare told reporters after watching the Hindi film ‘Gali Gali Chor Hai’ based on the common man’s fight against corruption.
A special screening of the movie was held for the anti-graft crusader at his native village Ralegan Siddhi in the presence of the film’s crew.
On November 24 last year, Hazare had sparked a row by appearing to approve of the slapping of Union minister Sharad Pawar by a youth in Delhi. He had, however, later condemned the attack on Pawar. Anna saw the entire film whose screening ended at around 10pm and expressed satisfaction over it.
Actors Akshaye Khanna, Shriya Saran and Mugdha Godse, all part of the film, director Rumi Jafferey, and producers Nitin Manmohan and Sanjay Punamija, were among those who attended the screening held near the Shantiniketan ground, Awari sai
Cong slams remarks Meanwhile, the Congress on Wednesday hit out Anna Hazare for justifying slapping as a means of expressing anguish against corruption and said the whole country would like to be educated on “this new definition of the Gandhian path”. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that it was not appropriate for the social activst to say so.
“We would all like to understand this new approach to the Gandhian way which in the same breath talks of fast and sacrifice and the same breath repeats not once, not twice but many times about slapping other people,” Singhvi said.
Hazare had told reporters Tuesday after seeing a movie on the theme of corruption that slapping appeared to be an option for a person who had run out of tolerance in fighting graft.
Hazare had also sparked a row in November last year by his remarks seemingly approving the action of a youth who had slapped Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar. (IANS)
