Violence starts - in the name of Anna Hazare

Violence starts - in the name of Anna Hazare

On August 17, 2011, I had written in my post "Theatre of the Absurd" about my apprehension about some potential hazards of Anna's methods.

Another obvious hazard is that of thugs and hoodlums, hiding behind Anna's name, resorting to violence, looting and arson.

Unfortunately, it seems to have started already. Last night, apparently, a gang of thugs carring the National Flag and chanting slogans of support to Anna Hazare, went ahead, harassed and subsequently beat up a journalist of CNN-IBN. Visibly, it is an isolated incident, and will be justly condemned by all right-thinking people including Anna Hazare.

However, is it going to make any difference to the hospitalised journalist?

Further, how is the Government, the Police and Team Anna going to ensure that it remains an isolated incident?

To top it off, Anna Hazare has already asked his supporters to do a bit of "dharna" in front of the residences of all ministers, political leaders, etc. How is he going to ensure that the "dharna" remains non-violent? How does he ensure that one or more thugs with old scores to settle do not infiltrate his movement and use the "dharna" to ransack a chosen politician's residence?

And, if that indeed happens, how do we restrain political goondas from resorting to retaliatory violence all over the terrain?

The thought is scary.

Regards,

N

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