New Delhi, November 24
Even as political parties condemned in one voice the incident in which the Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar was slapped this afternoon by Harvinder Singh, a transporter in his thirties, at the New Delhi Municipal Corporation’s (NDMC) Convention Centre here, Anna Hazare raised eyebrows with his first reaction in which he said, “Only one slap?”

Harvinder had attacked former Telecom Minister Sukh Ram in the court compound four days ago.

Hazare soon realised his gaffe and sought to recover lost ground by describing it as a slap on democracy.

But as the news spread and TV channels telecast the ‘slap’, NCP workers in Maharashtra hit the streets to protest and tried to enforce bandhs in many parts of the state. Road blocks were put up and blockades came up on railway tracks.

Both Pawar and daughter Supriya Sule, MP, appealed to their supporters to maintain peace and to refrain from reacting. “Let us forget and move ahead,” said Sule while Pawar, the seasoned politician, refused to call it a breach of security because he had no security, he pointed out.

However, the incident occurred in the presence of his personal security officer and officials from Group Four Private Security Organisation.

Harvinder broke into a group of officials and journalists before landing a tight slap on Pawar. He was shouting slogans against corruption and price rise.

As he was overpowered, the assailant tried to commit suicide by slitting his wrist with a “kirpan” hidden in his pocket.

Harvinder was arrested on charges of deterring a public servant from discharge of his duty, attempt to commit suicide, punishment for voluntarily causing hurt and punishment for criminal intimidation. The police said that he would be presented before the Patiala House Court tomorrow.

A police official said, “Harvinder is probably mentally disturbed. He is undergoing treatment for bipolar disorder at a private clinic run at Patel Nagar.”

Meanwhile, the Congress blamed BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, who had warned of rising public anger and possibility of violence, of inciting the people.

BJP and its allies condemned the act and advised the government to be sensitive to inflation.

(With inputs from Shaurya Karanbir Gurung)