News / International
Anti-corruption demonstrator slaps Indian Minister in the face
25 Nov 2011 at 09:32hrs | Views
Mr Pawar tried to play down the attack - BBC
NEW DELHI - A demonstrator slapped Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who is also president of the International Cricket Council, in the face on Thursday in a protest against corruption.
The attacker landed a blow on Pawar's cheek before being pulled away by security staff. He then brandished a small knife as he shouted insults at the minister, who was unhurt by the assault. "You are all corrupt. People are fed up," the man said, adding that the Indian government must adopt a tough anti-graft law being considered by lawmakers.
The same attacker, who was detained by police on Thursday, had on Saturday assaulted a former minister in a court in New Delhi after a judge handed down a five-year prison term to the politician over a 1996 corruption case.
Mr Pawar later played down the attack.
"There are miscreants and troublemakers in society, one should not give so much importance to them," he told a television channel.
The attacker landed a blow on Pawar's cheek before being pulled away by security staff. He then brandished a small knife as he shouted insults at the minister, who was unhurt by the assault. "You are all corrupt. People are fed up," the man said, adding that the Indian government must adopt a tough anti-graft law being considered by lawmakers.
The same attacker, who was detained by police on Thursday, had on Saturday assaulted a former minister in a court in New Delhi after a judge handed down a five-year prison term to the politician over a 1996 corruption case.
Mr Pawar later played down the attack.
"There are miscreants and troublemakers in society, one should not give so much importance to them," he told a television channel.
Source - AFP
