Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare, also famed for his various hunger strikes, has just had his weapon used against him.
Sharad Mhapari, a teacher at the Sant Yadavbaba Education Institute, started by Hazare at his native village of Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmadnagar district, about 200 km from Mumbai, went on one this Tuesday, Gandhi Jayanti, to protest at his summary removal from the school.
A Hazare supporter, who did not want to be identified, told Business Standard: “Mhapari's contention was that his services were discontinued without proper reasoning. There was no positive outcome despite his meeting Anna and villagers, and therefore he resorted to a fast.”
Another Hazare supporter said Mhapari was employed on a contract and had been pressing for permanency. Instead, the management removed him.
At a hurriedly-called meeting of the gram panchayat, it appears, Anna gave an assurance to Mhapari to sympathetically look into his grievance. Thereafter, Mhapari ended his fast.
Hazare has gone on a fast on more than 20 occasions to press for government action on various issues.