New Delhi:
One of the three men who attacked lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan today was a youth worker for the BJP, claims Digvijaya Singh. The BJP has denied the charges.
Mr Bhushan, a member of Anna Hazare's core group, was beaten up at his chambers at the Supreme Court today. The assault was captured on camera because Mr Bhushan was in the midst of a TV interview when the men stormed into his office. They said they were retaliating for comments made recently on Kashmir by Mr Bhushan. The attackers - who say they belong to an organization named Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena - say Mr Bhushan's remarks were anti-nationalist.
(Read)The attack has been condemned by all political parties including the BJP. Party spokesperson Nirmala Sitharama said, "The BJP has nothing to do with these people." She added, "If the individual claims any association with the Yuva Morcha, the Yuva Morcha will give its clarification."
The BJP had, earlier in the day, sarcastically said that it wishes Mr Singh would get well soon.
(Read: Get well soon, says BJP to Digvijaya Singh) The Congress leader released today a letter sent by the BJP's parent body, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to Anna in April this year. The letter congratulates Anna for building a national anti-corruption movement and expresses the RSS' support for the cause. Mr Singh alleges this letter exposes covert political affiliation between Anna and the right-wing RSS.
(Read: Digvijaya offers letter as proof of Anna-RSS links)"The support was open, the statement was on their website. If the RSS is supporting the anti-corruption movement, why is Congress having a problem?" Mr Javadekar asked.