Supporters of Social activist Anna Hazare with placard and candle during a candle light rally in support of Anna Hazare at Dimapur, Nagaland on August 19. Photo by Caisii Mao
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 19 (PTI): Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare came out of Tihar Jail today to launch a fortnight-long protest demanding a strong Lokpal bill declaring that the fight against graft will continue whether he was “alive or not”. Looking fit on his fourth day of fast, the 73-year old Gandhian came out of the jail premises and made a brief address to the waiting supporters that the “second freedom struggle” has started.
“We got freedom in 1947. Now the second freedom struggle has begun on August 16. A revolution has started. The fight against corruption will continue whether I am alive or not,” he said as the hundreds of supporters waiting for him since early morning cheered and clapped. Escorted by police officials, Hazare came out and mounted a small podium erected just outside one of the gates of the prison that was his home for over 67 hours. He had refused to come out of the jail on Tuesday despite government ordering his unconditional release after his arrest in the morning to foil his indefinite hunger strike.
In the short speech, he declared that his campaign was aimed at making the country corruption-free.
Later upping the ante at Ramlila grounds, social activist Anna Hazare gave a 12 day deadline to the government to pass the Jan Lokpal bill failing which he will continue his fast “till my last breath”. At the same time, Team Anna said that a dialogue with the government is the only way out although they will not compromise on corruption.
Addressing a press conference at Ramlila Grounds where he moved from Tihar Jail earlier on Friday to begin his 15-day protest, Mr. Hazare made a surprise announcement that he would not leave the fast venue till the bill is passed. “I have made the decision of my life. It is up to the government to pass the bill. If the bill is not passed in this (on going) session, then I will continue my fast till my last breath,” the 73-year-old social activist told reporters at the fast venue.
Replying to questions whether he was shifting the goalpost after agreeing to restrict the fast to a fortnight, Mr. Hazare’s close associate Arvind Kejriwal said “Anna Hazare will be here.” The Delhi Police Commissioner has agreed that the fast can be extended by a week on four days’ notice, he said. Mr. Hazare said “We have permission till September 2 but if by August 30 the bill is not passed then people will be asked to fill jails across the country.”
“We are willing to have a discussion with the government with an open mind but there cannot be any compromise on corruption,” Mr. Hazare’s aide Prashant Bhushan said. “....Resolution of problems comes through only negotiations,” Mr. Kejriwal, another associate said. Mr. Hazare said, “first introduce the Jan Lokpal bill. I have gone to the People’s Parliament. Till the bill is not passed, I am not going to leave this place. I am saying this on behalf of people.”
His toughening of stand came on the fourth day of his fast that began in police detention on Tuesday morning and continued throughout his stay in Tihar jail from which he came out today to a huge welcome by his supporters.
Mr. Hazare said he has “made the decision of my life” that he will not give up the fast till the Jan Lokpal is passed. Maintaining that the government has majority in both Parliament and the Standing Committee, he said it was up to the government to see how it will get the bill passed.
Dimapur responds as hundreds march in support of Anna
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 19
Anna Hazare’s determined fight against corruption demanding a strong Lokpal bill has found equal determined support from Dimapur if evaluated from the turnout of people on Friday’s candlelight procession.
Hundreds of people under the banner of Co-Ordination Committee Civil Society Dimapur gathered at Deluxe Point and marched towards City Tower junction via Bata charali-Dhobinala. People dressed in white, Anna style, shouted slogans such as ‘vande mataram’ as they marched with banners that read ‘Anna we are with you,’ ‘We Dimapurians stand against corruption with Anna,’ ‘We want revolution against corruption,’ etc. Some people wore caps on which were written ‘I am Anna.’ Some onlookers also joined the procession halfway.
Culminating the march at City Tower junction, president of Co-Ordination Committee Civil Society Dimapur , RK Nair read out a memorandum addressed to President of India Pratibha Patil to be submitted through DC Dimapur.
Expressing solidarity in the fight against corruption, the Committee through the memorandum appealed the President to intervene stating that the democratic rights of the people are scuttled on the pretext of preventive arrests as in the case of Anna Hazare. “The action by the government of the day has backfired as the mood of the entire nation has been sparked and the spontaneous response is an indication that a strong Lok Pal Bill is the need of the hour,” the memorandum read.
Naga Council President, Savi Liegise said that the candlelight procession was most timely, relevant, historic and important for everyone which he added would hugely benefit all those who suffer the scars of corruption alone in silence. “If there is any people which is in urgent need of healing against corruption, it is indeed Nagaland.
People of Nagaland must embrace without hesitation, the principles of justice against corruption promoted by Anna Hazare and Team,’ Savi added. He said that the victory of Anna and his team in Delhi would reverberate across the country including Nagaland and the northeast and will usher in hope and opportunity in all spheres of life.
The candlelight procession was attended by people from various communities and organisations cutting across religion including the Bengali Hindu Community, Marwari Samaj, Muslim Council, Naga Council etc.
“We got freedom in 1947. Now the second freedom struggle has begun on August 16. A revolution has started. The fight against corruption will continue whether I am alive or not,” he said as the hundreds of supporters waiting for him since early morning cheered and clapped. Escorted by police officials, Hazare came out and mounted a small podium erected just outside one of the gates of the prison that was his home for over 67 hours. He had refused to come out of the jail on Tuesday despite government ordering his unconditional release after his arrest in the morning to foil his indefinite hunger strike.
In the short speech, he declared that his campaign was aimed at making the country corruption-free.
Later upping the ante at Ramlila grounds, social activist Anna Hazare gave a 12 day deadline to the government to pass the Jan Lokpal bill failing which he will continue his fast “till my last breath”. At the same time, Team Anna said that a dialogue with the government is the only way out although they will not compromise on corruption.
Addressing a press conference at Ramlila Grounds where he moved from Tihar Jail earlier on Friday to begin his 15-day protest, Mr. Hazare made a surprise announcement that he would not leave the fast venue till the bill is passed. “I have made the decision of my life. It is up to the government to pass the bill. If the bill is not passed in this (on going) session, then I will continue my fast till my last breath,” the 73-year-old social activist told reporters at the fast venue.
Replying to questions whether he was shifting the goalpost after agreeing to restrict the fast to a fortnight, Mr. Hazare’s close associate Arvind Kejriwal said “Anna Hazare will be here.” The Delhi Police Commissioner has agreed that the fast can be extended by a week on four days’ notice, he said. Mr. Hazare said “We have permission till September 2 but if by August 30 the bill is not passed then people will be asked to fill jails across the country.”
“We are willing to have a discussion with the government with an open mind but there cannot be any compromise on corruption,” Mr. Hazare’s aide Prashant Bhushan said. “....Resolution of problems comes through only negotiations,” Mr. Kejriwal, another associate said. Mr. Hazare said, “first introduce the Jan Lokpal bill. I have gone to the People’s Parliament. Till the bill is not passed, I am not going to leave this place. I am saying this on behalf of people.”
His toughening of stand came on the fourth day of his fast that began in police detention on Tuesday morning and continued throughout his stay in Tihar jail from which he came out today to a huge welcome by his supporters.
Mr. Hazare said he has “made the decision of my life” that he will not give up the fast till the Jan Lokpal is passed. Maintaining that the government has majority in both Parliament and the Standing Committee, he said it was up to the government to see how it will get the bill passed.
Dimapur responds as hundreds march in support of Anna
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 19
Anna Hazare’s determined fight against corruption demanding a strong Lokpal bill has found equal determined support from Dimapur if evaluated from the turnout of people on Friday’s candlelight procession.
Hundreds of people under the banner of Co-Ordination Committee Civil Society Dimapur gathered at Deluxe Point and marched towards City Tower junction via Bata charali-Dhobinala. People dressed in white, Anna style, shouted slogans such as ‘vande mataram’ as they marched with banners that read ‘Anna we are with you,’ ‘We Dimapurians stand against corruption with Anna,’ ‘We want revolution against corruption,’ etc. Some people wore caps on which were written ‘I am Anna.’ Some onlookers also joined the procession halfway.
Culminating the march at City Tower junction, president of Co-Ordination Committee Civil Society Dimapur , RK Nair read out a memorandum addressed to President of India Pratibha Patil to be submitted through DC Dimapur.
Expressing solidarity in the fight against corruption, the Committee through the memorandum appealed the President to intervene stating that the democratic rights of the people are scuttled on the pretext of preventive arrests as in the case of Anna Hazare. “The action by the government of the day has backfired as the mood of the entire nation has been sparked and the spontaneous response is an indication that a strong Lok Pal Bill is the need of the hour,” the memorandum read.
Naga Council President, Savi Liegise said that the candlelight procession was most timely, relevant, historic and important for everyone which he added would hugely benefit all those who suffer the scars of corruption alone in silence. “If there is any people which is in urgent need of healing against corruption, it is indeed Nagaland.
People of Nagaland must embrace without hesitation, the principles of justice against corruption promoted by Anna Hazare and Team,’ Savi added. He said that the victory of Anna and his team in Delhi would reverberate across the country including Nagaland and the northeast and will usher in hope and opportunity in all spheres of life.
The candlelight procession was attended by people from various communities and organisations cutting across religion including the Bengali Hindu Community, Marwari Samaj, Muslim Council, Naga Council etc.
