Don't send a wrong message, Hazare to Govt

RALEGAN SIDDHI: Cautioning the government against sending a 'wrong message' after privilege and income tax notices were slapped on members of his team, Anna Hazare today said undue harrassment of civil society members may cause unrest in the country.

Asking the government to give up its "vindictive" attitude, the Gandhian said it "must try to create trust and bridge the gap in the hearts after the nation-wide agitation for Jan Lokpal Bill instead of sending out a wrong messege."

Hazare, 74, was speaking to reporters after coming out of his room at Padmavati temple at his village here.

The notice to his aide Arvind Kejariwal "for so called non payment of income tax was given after he left the civil services and initiated people's movement.... The nation knows the reason of this notice," Hazare said.

He warned that "attempts to harrass 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 activist Arvind Kejriwal yesterday received breach of privilege notices for their remarks against Parliamentarians.

Kejriwal was also issued notices on August 5 by the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (CCIT) Delhi for clearance of his dues of Rs 9.27 lakh. The dues had accumulated over the alleged violation of bond clauses under which Kejriwal, an Indian Revenue Service officer, had gone abroad on study leave for two years between November 2000 and 2002.