Do not harass my team:
New Delhi: Anna Hazare has warned the Manmohan Singh government against using 'coercive instruments' to 'harass' his associates. Speaking to reporters in Ralegan Siddhi, Hazare asked the government to give up its 'vindictive attitude' and "bridge the trust gap between it and the people of the country".
Defending Arvind Kejriwal, Hazare said the "notice for the so-called non-payment of income-tax was given after he left civil services and initiated a people's movement... The nation knows the reason of this notice."
Defending Arvind Kejriwal, Hazare said the "notice for the so-called non-payment of income-tax was given after he left civil services and initiated a people's movement... The nation knows the reason of this notice."
Kejriwal was issued notices on August 5 by the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Delhi, for clearance of his dues of Rs 9.27 lakh.
Dues had accumulated over the alleged violation of bond clauses under which Kejriwal, an Indian Revenue Service officer, had gone abroad on study leave between November 2000 and 2002.
Kejriwal again went on leave without pay in 2004. Subsequently, he resigned from the service in February 2006. During 2000-2002, Kejriwal was paid a salary, under the condition that he would not leave the service for at least three years upon returning from study leave.
Kejriwal argued that since he did not resign till well after three years, there has been no violation of the bond conditions. Hazare warned that attempts to 'harass' other civil society members will raise questions about the intention and spirit of the government.
"This would create unrest in society... I request the government to leave the vindictive attitude and unite Indians for making India a super power. After Kiran Bedi, two more Team Anna members - lawyer Prashant Bhushan and Kejriwal - received breach of privilege notices for their remarks against parliamentarians.
Defending members of Team Anna, BJP General Secretary Ravi Shankar Prasad said Congress was targeting activists who have upped the ante against the government.
"The I-T department served a notice to Kejriwal five years after he left services. Meanwhile, five Union ministers had meetings with Kejriwal for several weeks regarding Hazare's anti-corruption movement. But they never talked
about any such dues earlier," Prasad said.