Prashant Bhushan remains part of Team Anna, says Patkar

Srinagar: Amid growing speculations of differences cropping up in Team Anna, social activist Medha Patkar today said lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan continues to be a part of the anti-graft movement. “Anna Hazare has never said that Prashant Bhushan will not be a part of the team. Media has distorted his statement…Prashant Bhushan is very much part of the Team. He is at the forefront of the struggle,” Patkar said while addressing a group of activists before leaving for Imphal on a solidarity march for anti-AFSPA campaigner Irom Sharmila. [caption id=“attachment_109104” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Medha Patkar. Reuters”] [/caption] She described Bhushan’s statement on Kashmir as his individual views. Bhushan’s comments on Jammu and Kashmir issue, in which he had advocated plebiscite in the state, have created a storm with some calling for his removal from Team Anna. In reply to a question on her stand on plebiscite for Kashmir, Patkar said dialogue was needed in this “changed situation”. She said the core group around Hazare believed violence cannot bring a political solution to Kashmir issue. “Core team believes that violence cannot bring a solution to the political problem of Kashmir. It will come only through peace. Different countries have different constitutions in which we live, but Kashmir is a complex issue,” Patkar said. Patkar said the solution to Kashmir issue can only be achieved through political dialogue. Meanwhile, Magsaysay Award winner and human rights activist Sandeep Pandey backed Bhushan for his comments on Jammu and Kashmir. “Hazare has been in the military and if you have served in the government, and especially in the armed forces, obviously it will be difficult to overcome the feeling of nationalism,” Pandey said. PTI