New Delhi, Aug 20 (IANS) Social activist Anna Hazare, on a hunger strike to press for a more inclusive Lokpal Bill, has taken strong objection to suggestions that his crusade against corruption is backed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).


"Those who suggest that RSS and BJP are backing this protest should be sent to a mental hospital," Hazare told reporters on the fifth day of his fast that shifted to the Ramlila Grounds Friday. "Tomorrow they will say that Pakistan is backing the protest." He added that the Congress had already charged his movement with US-backing.

To a query, Anna's associate Arvind Kejriwal said the government was using the parliamentary standing committee as a shield: "If they want to bring a strong Lokpal Bill, they should not resort to the argument that it is being examined by the committee."

Naresh Trehan, the doctor monitoring Hazare's health, said: "Anna's basic parameters are okay."