Hazare threatens strike from August 16 if Lokpal Bill is not passed
Hazare threatens strike from August 16 if Lokpal Bill is not passed
Taking on the government, civil rights activist Anna Hazare yesterday went on a day-long fast at Rajghat, declaring that his agitation against corruption was the "second freedom struggle" and threatened another hunger strike from August 16 if Lokpal Bill is not passed by then.
Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare told his followers at Rajghat yesterday that he won't seek security for himself as he is not afraid of death
He accused the government of putting "hurdles" in the drafting of the Lokpal Bill and of trying to defame the civil society members of the joint panel, such as Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan, Santosh Hegde and Arvind Kejriwal, through a "discreet" campaign.
Hazare, joined by his associates and a few thousand supporters, went on the hunger strike to protest the police crackdown on Baba Ramdev's supporters during their agitation against corruption here on Saturday night, which he termed a "blot on humanity" and attempt to "stifle democracy".
After paying floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi's samadhi, he reached the protest site at around 10.20 am to a rousing welcome from supporters who assembled there amid heavy police presence.
"Mahatma Gandhi fought for our freedom but we are yet to achieve real independence. The second struggle of independence has started. We are ready to sacrifice our lives but will not buckle under pressure," Hazare said.
Mounting pressure on the government to quickly enact a law to curb corruption, he said he would launch an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar here from August 16 if the Lokpal Bill is not passed by then.
Hazare's indefinite fast in April had evoked nationwide support, forcing the government to set up a joint panel of civil society members and ministers to draft the Bill.
'People are masters'
Hazare said the government was levelling allegations against civil society members to defame them.
"First they targeted Shanti and Prashant Bhushan through a CD and later took on Hegde.
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Now we hear that some officers have been put behind Arvind to find out about his assets. What is the need for doing so when he does not have anything? If you want to ask something, ask directly. You are doing these discreet things," he said.
"I want to tell the government that we are not two but one. You are not the masters, the people are. Gram Sabha is more powerful than Lok Sabha or State Assemblies," he said.
Comparing the police action at Ramlila Maidan to Jallianwala Bagh "without the firing part", he said, "what is the difference between your democracy and British Raj?"
No security needed Hazare said he will not seek security for himself and he is not afraid of death. "Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev never asked for security. If they would have, our country would not be free," he said.
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