Sharad Pawar slapped by youth over corruption and price rise

New Delhi - 24 Nov 2011: Agriculture ministerSharad Pawarwas today slapped by a youth at a public function claiming he was angry with corruption andprice rise.

71-year-old Pawar, who went to a literary function at a public auditorium onParliament Street, was slapped byHarvinder Singh, a transporter in his thirties who had assaulted former telecom minister Sukhram outside Rohini Court on Saturday after he was sentenced in a corruption case.

Pawar lost his balance but remained unperturbed after the assault and moved towards the exit of the auditorium and got into his waiting car.

Private security guards immediately overpowered the youth who was shouting "he is corrupt" and an official landed some blows on Singh.

"I came planned to the event to slap the minister," Singh told reporters who had gone to cover the literary function.

"All of them are corrupt," he shouted when he was removed from security and policemen. Wielding a small kirpan, the youth said things could have been worse but for the observance of martyrdom day ofGuru Tegh Bahadurtoday.

Later, Pawar reacted to the incident calling it stupid and that he did not make much out of it.

When asked whether he would press charges against the attacker, he said it was for police to deal with the matter. Pawar said he saw the youth standing in the midst of a group of journalists and could have taken advantage of the fact that he has very little security.

Prime MinisterManmohan Singhspoke to Pawar after the incident and condemned the attack.

source: TOI