Swami Agnivesh calls Anna Hazare's stir Brahminical

New Delhi, Oct 16: Swami Agnivesh, the sidelined Team Anna member accused Anna Hazare of behaving like Brahmanvadis and called his stir Brahminical.

"Everyone was wearing 'I am Anna' written cap...what was that...it was an attempt to build a cult...They should not have tried to do this...This was Brahmanvad," said Agnivesh.

Agnivesh also sought an apology from Arvind Kejriwal for saying that Anna was above Parliament.

"Those who have said that their leader is above Parliament must apologize," he said though he took no name.

Once a visible figure in Team Anna, Swami Agniveesh became a foe of the Team after news channels across nation reportedly showed a video tape that showed Agniveesh in conversation with Communications and Information Technology Minister, Kapil Sibal during Anna Hazare's fast at the Ramlila Maidan for a strong Lokpal Bill.

Agniveesh who was looked down upon as a villian in the whole drama during the time expressed his oneness with the Team's movements without compromising on his views but had breach in relations with the Team later.

Talking about the fall out between Team Anna and himself, he further said, "...I tried to persuade them that the Standing Committee can make changes in government's version of Lokpal bill. It has the power to change the entire legislation...It is like a mini-Parliament....and we should meet, pressurize and convince the Committee to adopt provisions of the Jan Lokpal bill...we should keep meeting the Committee...but they did not listen to me."

"We want reservation in Lokpal. We demand that expand the Lokpal committee to accommodate social groups," said Udit Raj, dalit leader after he demanded that dalits, Muslim and backward community be represented in the Lokpal Committee and that Anna Hazare accept the provisions of Bahujan Lokpal to get the support of these social groups.

He further argued that no law would be successful if it did not have mass support.

OneIndia News