Odishatv Bureau
Pune: Social activist Anna Hazare will observe a week-long `maun vrat` (vow of silence) from October 17 at his native Ralegan Siddhi village for "peace of soul", a close aide of the Gandhian said here today.

"Anna has been continuously interacting with people after ending his 12-day-fast for a strong Lokpal bill in Delhi in August and this had put a lot of strain on him...He needs some respite from this...He will observe a week-long `maun vrat` for `atmashanti`," India against Corruption activist Shyam Asava said. "Even otherwise, he observes `maun vrat` periodically in his spiritual pursuit," he added.

The vow of silence came close on the heels of the recent attack and controversy involving key `Anna Team` member Prashant Bhushan, who had advocated plebiscite in Kashmir.

Hazare subsequently distanced himself from Bhushan`s statement saying he did not agree with it and that it was the senior lawyer`s personal view.

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