Pained to explain myself time and again on Modi: Hazare

Ahmedabad, Apr 13: Social activist Anna Hazare has said he is pained that he has to explain himself time and again on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, whom he had praised for developmental efforts.

"Let me at the outset say that I am totally apolitical and strongly against communalism," Hazare said in a letter to danseuse and activist Mallika Sarabhai yesterday.

The anti-graft crusader was reacting to Sarabhai's e-mail expressing her shock at the former endorsing Modi.

"I am pained that I have to explain myself on Mr Modi. I was asked about Gujarat and Bihar Chief Ministers'' development work in the press conference held in Delhi, and based on media reports I said Bihar and Gujarat have done good work in rural development," the Gandhian wrote from his native village Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district.

"At the same time I had condemned 2002 riots and communalism," he said.

"I have focused on rooting out corruption in life. This is a long struggle and I trust people like you (Sarabhai) who have fought for people's right will understand the spirit of the movement," Hazare said in the letter.

In a statement issued in Delhi over the issue on Sunday, Hazare had said, "On a question asked in my press conference, I praised only the developmental works done by Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar in rural areas. Alongside I clarified that I am equally opposed to any form of communal disharmony. I am completely opposed to any kind of communalism or discrimination on religious or caste lines."

"I strongly condemn and oppose any kind of communal violence. People from all faiths and religions are founders, supporters and participants in this movement. This includes, Arch Bishop of Delhi, Mufti Shamoon Qasmi and others," he had said.

PTI