Swami Agnivesh, a close associate of social activist Anna Hazare, was the target of the core Anna team which attacked him over a controversial video posted on the website Youtube where he is purportedly telling a person alleged to be a Union Minister that the government act tough with the fasting Gandhian.
Mr. Agnivesh on his part claimed the video footage was “doctored and concocted” and part of a smear campaign against him and denied he was talking to Union Minister Kapil Sibal.
The Minister was involved in negotiations during the initial stages of the stand-off between Team Anna and the government.
Team member Kiran Bedi alleged that Mr. Agnivesh has been caught on camera where he is asking a person after addressing him as “Kapil”, “ Maharaj aap inko itna kyu de rahe hai” (Maharaj, why are you giving them so much?).
“Who's Maharaj? It is Kapil Sibal on the other side. He said Sibal sahab, I heard that,” she said.
Ms. Bedi accused Mr. Agnivesh of being absolutely unethical.
The core team and Mr. Agnivesh had developed differences during the course of Mr. Hazare's fast.
Ms. Bedi told PTI that the footage “shocked us all and we are very uncomfortable” with it.
“Only he can answer this. He should own it or reject it. However it leaves no doubt. It obviously tells us what happened. He should tell us who is the person whom he mentioned,” she added.
Mr. Agnivesh said: “These were lies and it is a cut and paste job. There are several people in my personal circle whose first name is Kapil. I never address political leaders as ‘Maharaj.' Kapil Maharaj could be anybody,” he said. — PTI
