Anna Hazare's arrest a reminder of Emergency days, says VHP

Extending support to Anna Hazare's crusade against corruption, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad today criticised the government for his arrest saying it was a reminder of the days of the Emergency.

The arrest of the social activist amounts to murder of democracy and showing disrespect to the feelings of people, VHP chief Ashok Singhal said.

"The government is intoxicated by the lust for power and corruption and wants to crush all voices raised against it. The government action in arresting Anna Hazare for no reason reminds one of the days of Emergency in 1975," Singhal said.

He said instead of taking action and concrete steps against corruption and black money, the government was bent upon "throttling" voices against it by "use of force".

The VHP chief called upon people to raise their voice against such "autocratic" attitude of the government at different places across the country so that it does not dare initiate any such steps in future.