Anna Hazare blames Govt for tardy progress on Lokpal Bill
He also accused the Government of trying to defame his associates, including Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal. Renowned social activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday accused the Government of trying to scuttle the proposed Lokpal Bill aimed at ending corruption in high places.
Hazare also called the mounting nationwide campaign against corruption as India's second independence struggle. "They are putting roadblocks on the path of the Lokpal Bill," Hazare said. He also accused the Government of trying to defame his associates, including Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal. Bhushans, Hazare, Kejriwal and Santosh Hegde are the representatives of the civil society in a 10-member Government panel set up to frame a tough Lokpal Bill.
Hazare and his supporters began a day-long hunger strike today at Rajghat to protest the police crackdown on Baba Ramdev's supporters during their agitation against corruption here on Saturday night. The protest took place on Powerhouse Road, which connects Rajghat and the Delhi Secretariat. Hazare had earlier planned to fast at Jantar Mantar, but he was denied permission as prohibitory orders have been imposed in New Delhi till June 11.
Thousands of Hazare supporters participated in the protest, forcing the local police to make elaborate security arrangements to ensure that the general public and traffic flow are not disrupted. Senior lawyer and member of the Lokpal bill drafting committee Prashant Bhushan said today that last Saturday's post-midnight police crackdown on Baba Ramdev and his followers at Ramlila ground was a murder of democracy. "Even if the Government had reached an agreement with Ramdev, can't citizens protest peacefully? They have a right to do so... the democratic rights of people have been murdered," said Bhushan.
Meanwhile, reports said that yoga guru Baba Ramdev's health has started deteriorating as his fast for tougher anti-graft laws and bringing back black money from foreign nations, entered fifth day on Wednesday. Ramdev also threatened to train an army of 11,000 followers. He issued the call-to-arms from his ashram near Haridwar. He called for men and women to join his army. "They must be dedicated, ready to make the ultimate sacrifice," he was quoted as saying. Read More
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