Gandhian social activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday threatened the government that if the Jan Lokpal Bill is not introduced by August 15, he will go on an indefinite hunger strike from August 16.
Hazare is holding a day-long fast at the Rajghat here on Wednesday to protest the police action in Ramlila ground where a gathering, supporting yoga guru Baba Ramdev in his fast-unto-death against black money and corruption, was dispersed by use of teargassing and baton-charge.
"A fast is not a crime. What happened at Ramlila Maidan is equal to what happened at Jallianwala Bagh. The only difference is that bullets were not fired,” Hazare told a massive gathering at Rajghat.
He said the government is purposely delaying drafting of Lokpal Bill.
“The government is putting hurdles in drafting the Lokpal Bill. First they targeted Shanti and Prashant Bhushan through a CD and later took on (Santosh) Hegde. Now we hear that some officers have been put behind Arvind (Kejriwal) to find out about his assets. What is the need for doing so when he does not have anything? This is not good. 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 should wipe it out of your mind that you are the masters. You are not the masters, the people are. Gram Sabha is more powerful than Lok Sabha or State Assemblies," he said.
“I am giving the government an ultimatum till August 15 to introduce the Lokpal Bill; else I will sit on an indefinite hunger strike from August 16,” said Hazare.
Reacting to heavy police posting at his 10am-6pm hunger strike, Hazare said: "If our freedom fighters had sought security, we would not have got Independence.”
“What is the difference between your democracy and British Raj? Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev never asked for security. If they would have done, our country would not be free," he said.
"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 after offering floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi at Rajghat.
Voicing support to Hazare, former IPS officer and social activist Kiran Bedi tweeted from Rajghat: “Thousands at Rajghat. Anna exhorting citizens to practice peace with integrity. Its now a second war of independence against corruption.”
“Anna's meet is for assertion of our democratic rights to assert peacefully which was forcefully violated. anna is repeatedly calling for maintaining peace and non violence pl. This is the team voice.”
“The current focus of IAC (India Against Corruption) is lokpal. To get the country an independent anti corruption authority,” she said.
“If we get an anti corruption law since independence it will be from the same toothless man like Gandhiji who gave us independence. The establishment needs to deal with his outfit with wisdom and maturity before we create a serious law and law challenge for future,” Bedi said.
“The powerful side must show wisdom and restraint. And not let it slip in the hands of opportunists. It is at crossroads. No question of supporting which is unlawful and threat to security law and order. Which is why I am urging for wisdom and tact,” she said.
The 73-year-old 1971 Indo-Pak war veteran’s 98-hour-long hunger strike in April had compelled the Central government to form a joint-committee to freshly draft the Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen’s Ombudsman Bill) pushed back for 42 years.
"A fast is not a crime. What happened at Ramlila Maidan is equal to what happened at Jallianwala Bagh. The only difference is that bullets were not fired,” Hazare told a massive gathering at Rajghat.
He said the government is purposely delaying drafting of Lokpal Bill.
“The government is putting hurdles in drafting the Lokpal Bill. First they targeted Shanti and Prashant Bhushan through a CD and later took on (Santosh) Hegde. Now we hear that some officers have been put behind Arvind (Kejriwal) to find out about his assets. What is the need for doing so when he does not have anything? This is not good. 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 should wipe it out of your mind that you are the masters. You are not the masters, the people are. Gram Sabha is more powerful than Lok Sabha or State Assemblies," he said.
“I am giving the government an ultimatum till August 15 to introduce the Lokpal Bill; else I will sit on an indefinite hunger strike from August 16,” said Hazare.
Reacting to heavy police posting at his 10am-6pm hunger strike, Hazare said: "If our freedom fighters had sought security, we would not have got Independence.”
“What is the difference between your democracy and British Raj? Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev never asked for security. If they would have done, our country would not be free," he said.
"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 after offering floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi at Rajghat.
Voicing support to Hazare, former IPS officer and social activist Kiran Bedi tweeted from Rajghat: “Thousands at Rajghat. Anna exhorting citizens to practice peace with integrity. Its now a second war of independence against corruption.”
“Anna's meet is for assertion of our democratic rights to assert peacefully which was forcefully violated. anna is repeatedly calling for maintaining peace and non violence pl. This is the team voice.”
“The current focus of IAC (India Against Corruption) is lokpal. To get the country an independent anti corruption authority,” she said.
“If we get an anti corruption law since independence it will be from the same toothless man like Gandhiji who gave us independence. The establishment needs to deal with his outfit with wisdom and maturity before we create a serious law and law challenge for future,” Bedi said.
“The powerful side must show wisdom and restraint. And not let it slip in the hands of opportunists. It is at crossroads. No question of supporting which is unlawful and threat to security law and order. Which is why I am urging for wisdom and tact,” she said.
The 73-year-old 1971 Indo-Pak war veteran’s 98-hour-long hunger strike in April had compelled the Central government to form a joint-committee to freshly draft the Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen’s Ombudsman Bill) pushed back for 42 years.
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