New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) After heaping praise on social reformer Anna Hazare for leading a crusade against corruption, activists Friday condemned him for praising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, and  said  that "reveals a narrow and mercenary understanding of the meaning of corruption".

 
 The statement has been signed by activists like Teesta Setalvad and John Dayal, among others.
 
 "We strongly condemn the recently reported statement made by Anna Hazareji, in which he has brazenly endorsed Narendra Modi, a politician who not only symbolises the politics of division but unconstitutional governance," the statement said.
 
 "For the veteran anti-corruption social activist, Hazare to endorse a politician against whom a Supreme Court led investigation into conspiracy to commit mass murder and rape, subversion of evidence and pressure and intimidation of key witnesses is still under way, reveals a narrow and mercenary understanding of the meaning of corruption," it added.
 
 Hazare had praised Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for their developmental efforts.
 
 He, however, clarified that he was opposed to communalism.