‘Anna Hazare’s boss spoke highly of him’

Congress spokesperson, Manish Tewari’s caustic remarks against veteran Gandhian, Anna Hazare — that the latter had “deserted the army” — has left military historian Shashikant Menhendale fuming.

Menhendale had the rare fortune of knowing well both Hazare and his former boss, the late Major General (retd) YD Sahasrabudhe. During his 12-year stint with the Indian Army, Hazare was employed as a driver. In the Indo-Pak war of 1965, Hazare drove Sahasrabudhe’s jeep.

“During my frequent interaction with the General, he used to talk in glowing terms about Anna’s patriotic spirit and his bravery,” recollected Menhendale. He recalled that Hazare’s mettle was tested when he had to stand alongside the General as the latter directed an artillery attack on the enemy soldiers in Punjab.

After the war, both had expressed their desire to meet each other. However, the meeting happened only in 2008. “Although Sahasrabudhe used to stay in Ramnagar Colony in Bavdhan and Anna used to often visit Pune from Ralegan Siddhi, his busy schedule did not allow him to pay a visit to his former boss,” Menhendale said.

In 2008, prior to embarking on his fast at the temple town of Alandi, Hazare had expressed a desire to visit the War Memorial in Pune Camp. “Seizing this opportunity, I informed Sahasrabudhe about Anna’s visit and asked him to be present at the War Memorial,” Menhendale said.

As soon as Hazare met his former boss at the memorial, he put on his trademark topi and gave a smart salute to the General. When an astonished Sahasrabudhe remonstrated, Hazare replied, “How can I forget that you were my former boss?” Menhendale recollected that both had tears in their eyes during the meeting.

Supporting Hazare’s movement, Menhendale said, “On August 16, I had sent a message to Anna. I asked his personal assistant to tell Anna that he is now facing another battle of his life. This time, he is fighting internal enemies rather than external ones.”