We oppose communalism too, says Kejriwal

Mumbai: The Anna Hazare campaign against corruption is equally opposed to communalism, his confidante Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday.

Speaking to journalists after Team Anna's core group held free and frank discussions with Muslim leaders, Kejriwal sought to dispel the impression that the movement was soft on communalism.

"Communalism is a bigger danger. We have said repeatedly that we are totally against communalism," he said, a day before Hazare starts a three-day fast here to demand a strong Lokpal.

Kejriwal underlined that corruption affected everyone irrespective of which religion they belonged to.

"Corruption does not discriminate between Hindus and Muslims. Corruption affects all communities. A corrupt officer is neither Hindu nor Muslim, he is corrupt."

Kejriwal also allayed fears that a larger gathering at the Hazare fast venue could lead to trouble or violence.

"In Delhi, lakhs of people got together at Ramlila ground, yet there was no trouble. This is because we asked everyone to be vigilant."

Kejriwal clarified that India Against Corruption and the Hazare movement were not ranged against parliament.

"It is the government that has betrayed the country, betrayed parliament. We are appealing to parliament with folded hands to pass a good Lokpal bill."

A Muslim leader intervened to say that he and his colleagues had 'a very good meeting' with Team Anna and that the latter had 'cleared many doubts we had'.

"We spoke about communalism openly," he said. "As far as corruption is concerned, we are always against it."