Hazare arrest: Protests OK, but the law prevails, says government

Much like the Indian cricket team currently being hammered into the ground by the British team, the union government seems clueless about how to defend its wicket against a relentless attack that it should have anticipated.

Its comeback lines seem rather feeble. Pranab Mukherjee, finance minister and senior Congress Party member, said that while every citizen has the right to protest, the manner of Anna Hazare's protest is not acceptable.

"Everyone has the right to protest but there is a method of protesting," he told reporters outside the once again dysfunctional houses of Parliament.

"It is the legitimate right of every individual to hold protests but at the same time there are certain rules and laws. If police considers that a particular action may lead to law-and-order problem, then police can impose certain conditions," he said.

Union home minister P Chidambaram said Hazare and his supporters refused to accept the government's conditions, and refused to give an undertaking limiting Hazare's fast to three days, as well as the number of supporters who could be present at the protest venue.

"Maintaining law and order is not an easy task. Protests are welcome but they should be peaceful. I think this is unacceptable.