Click to play videoNew Delhi: Anna Hazare and his supporters were arrested because there was a fear that their proposed fast would lead to a breach of peace, the Government said on Tuesday. Feeling the heat senior Union ministers P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal and Ambika Soni addressed the media to clarify the reasons behind arresting Hazare and his supporters.
Union Home Minister Chidambaram said that Hazare and his supporters were detained and then arrested as they tried to defy the orders despite not indulging in violence. He claimed that Delhi Police Commissioner would address a press conference on Hazare's arrest.
"Delhi Police arrested Anna Hazare and FIVE others after Anna Hazare told police that they would defy law and were proceeding to JP Park. Extensive discussions took place between Delhi Police and civil rights group on the location of the protest. Delhi Police told the organisers to give an undertaking that they would abide by all the conditions. The organisers refused to accept the conditions or give an undertaking," he said.
Chidambaram claimed that the Government was not against a peaceful and democratic protest.
"This Government is not against democratic peaceful protest. We respect the democratic right to protest but subject to conditions laid down by authorities responsible for maintaining law and order," added the Home Minister.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said that the menace of corruption needs to be tackled on war footing. But she also added that the means and legislation to tackle corruption should be under the ambit of the Constitution of India.
"Though I am a minister but still I have encountered and faced some illegal issues. We all are against corruption. There is a need and a means needs to be developed to fight against corruption under the Constitution," said Soni.
Union HRD and Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said that the Government had to keep not only Hazare's rights in mind but also those of the people who live and use the area where the protest fast was planned.
"We want that the rights of the people not involved in the protest also be respected and they allowed to work normally without being affected," said Sibal.
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