Ignoring an appeal from his close aides, Anna Hazare today joined three of his team members in their indefinite fast here after his four-day ultimatum to the Government to concede to his demands on Lokpal Bill found no response.
Mr Hazare, who had been sitting on a dharna along with his three fasting colleagues for the past four days, reached Jantar Mantar here this morning to slogans of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Inquilab Zindabad’
“My team had told me not to fast citing health reasons.
When over 400 people are on fast, I cannot ignore them and not be on fast. Yesterday also my team appealed to me not to fast but I am sitting on fast from now. I consider I have your permission,” Mr Hazare said addressing the gathering at the venue.
Even after Mr Hazare announced his decision, some of those who were fasting appealed to him not to fast again, saying his life is valuable and his leadership is needed. Mr Hazare then picked up the microphone and said, “Till we get Jan Lokpal, the countrymen will not allow me to die.”
The 74-year-old activist had asked the Government to concede to his demands on Lokpal Bill by Saturday or else he would go on fast.
His close aide Arvind Kejriwal had yesterday made a public appeal to Mr Hazare not to fast citing his health.
This is the fourth indefinite fast by Mr Hazare since April last year. The April fast was followed by one in Ramlila Maidan here in August and in Mumbai in December.
In between, he had single-day fasts in Delhi thrice — in June and December last year and March this year.
Mr Hazare had yesterday attacked Congress and BJP, saying the country’s future does not lie safe in their hands and talked about the need for a political alternative in the 2014 elections, during which he will campaign for those with clean background selected by the people.
He had, however, declared he will not contest elections or form a party.
Keywords: Anna Hazare, Anna fast, Jantar Mantar, Arvind Kejriwal, Hazare fast, Lokpal Bill,
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"I appeal to Anna not to go on a fast. His life is too precious," Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal had said on Saturday.
Despite much campaigning, the crowds this year have been thin at Anna's protests. And Team Anna is not unaware of the fact. Kiran Bedi has admitted that while the crowds may be thinning, it could not be seen as an indicator of diminishing support for Anna and his anti-corruption movement. The team also seems to have realised that public support cannot be taken for granted.
Saturday saw people steadily streaming into the Jantar Mantar where Kejriwal and other team members have been on a fast since April 25. It saw dedicated Anna supporters throng the protest site. Most of them had come from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The middle class also made its presence felt on the weekend.
The Anna movement has been described as primarily a middle-class movement, but people who turned up in the past three days are mainly from rural and semi urban areas. Saturday sa
Hail the maverick, he's back. I agree with his fight against corruption, but not his methods or intentions. Probably he thought somebody would consider him for President, but nobody did, not even the BJP. So hes back with his usual gimmick.
In my opinion his intention are absolutely right. It's government who didn't kept his word. I do support ANNA HAZAAE. Question is DO YOU??
I support Anna's agitation against curruption. i agree with most of his demand. I also agree with their activities. Most of the parlament membeal are currupt in one or other way. There is nothing wrong to share diaspora with those who belive with same views with him. They can be from Muslim leag, RSS, congress or any party member. Investigating agencies should be independent and appointed by public. In USA Sherif or local officers are appointed by public and they are for certain period. There should be provision to call back any representative or elected person if public wishes so.
This is one of the bigggest moment of our life time. We have not see the freedom struggle, however this is the freedom struggle for our generation.
The press is very much aligned with rich and polictial elite. I am hopefull press can show some empathy to the common man's struggle like this.
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