Thousands join Anna Hazare’s fast against corruption

Joined by hundreds in Delhi and thousands across the country, Maharashtra-based social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday started his fast unto death at Jantar Mantar demanding greater participation of civil society in drafting a strong Jan Lokpal Bill.

Last night, the prime minister’s office had expressed disappointment over his decision. After paying his tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, Hazare, 73, led a rally to Jantar Mantar and started his fast.

“I will continue my fast till the government agrees to form a joint committee comprising 50% officials and 50% citizens and intellectuals to draft the bill,” Hazare said. “The prime minister says ‘I have faith and respect for you’, why didn’t he sit for a discussion with us?”

Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, reformist Swami Agnivesh, Magsaysay award winner Sandeep Pandey, and RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal too were present when Hazare started his fast.

“Thousands of Indians across 400 cities will be on a fast on Tuesday to support Anna Hazare,” Kejriwal said. “Around 700,000 people have pledged their support. The indefinite fast will continue till the government accepts our demand. If nothing happens by April 12, thousands of people will court arrest after stopping government officials from entering their offices.”

Apart from the thousands who visited Jantar Mantar to support Hazare and the hundreds across the country who went on a fast on Tuesday, at least 129 people are on a fast unto death along with Hazare.

Abdul Gaffar from Nandurbar district in Maharashtra decided to be with Hazare and fast unto death. The 61-year-old retired headmaster said he would continue the fast till the government accepted their demand. “I have the support of my whole family and village,” he said.

Anurodh Sharma, 55, a senior marketing manager with a private company in Delhi, took leave from his office as he wanted to join Hazare. “I have told my family that I am going to Srinagar for some official work and here I am sitting with all my bags,” he said. “If I die here, my body will be sent to my home. I found this movement on Facebook and now I am doing this to free India of corruption.”

Hazare’s contention is the weak Lokpal Bill that will not help in punishing the corrupt. The activists want a joint committee with equal number of government officials and ordinary citizens, including intellectuals, for the drafting of a strong Lokpal Bill.

Former Supreme Court judge and present Lokayukta of Karnataka Santosh Hegde, noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan, Arvind Kejriwal and others have drafted a Jan Lokpal Bill. It says investigations and trial in any case would be completed within two years, ensuring that a corrupt person goes to jail within two years of filing a complaint and the government confiscates his ill-gotten wealth. The activists want the government to consider this draft for the Lokpal Bill.