Shiv Sena urges govt not to play with activist's life

Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday appealed to the state government not to play with the life of anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare. In a press statement released by party spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, Mr Thackeray told the government that the serious cognisance should be taken of Mr Hazare’s hunger strike. “Hazare’s life is very important. The government can’t play with it,” Mr Thackeray said.

Mr Hazare has demanded the immediate appointment of anti-corruption watchdogs at the Centre and in Maharashtra in a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) that was dated January 1, 2019. Another demand of his is the resolution of farmers’ issues.

According to Mr Hazare’s supporters, the letter received from the PMO merely read, “Your letter was received. Thank you and best wishes.”

The Sena chief expressed deep concern over the deteriorating health of the 81-year-old and said that it is a very disturbing as well as ridiculous that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent a letter wishing Mr Hazare.

“Anna Hazare is fighting against corruption, which is a national problem. But instead of going on a hunger strike and killing himself, he should go on the streets and awaken the country. Our countrymen have been given sedatives and are lying half-unconscious. They need to be awakened. Anna should take up the role of Jayaprakash Narayan for a new revolution,” Mr Thackeray remarked.

The Sena chief also pointed out that the government had not taken cognisance of the late activist G.D. Agrawal, who had sat on a protest in Hari-dwar district of Uttarakhand, demanding that the Ganga be cleaned. “In order to clean the country’s Ganga, Anna should abandon the hunger strike and lead an agitation. Wherever possible, the Shiv Sena will extend its support,” the Sena chief said.