Hazare turns down Rs 1 cr award from IIPM

Social activist Anna Hazare, whose fast for a stronger anti-corruption Lokpal Bill last month made global headlines, has spurned the Rs 1 crore 2011 Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize announced by the Indian Institute of Planning and Management.

"I have rejected the award announced by the Delhi-based organisation," Hazare told reporters at Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra.

"I cannot tell why I decided to reject the award. But my mind said 'no' to accepting the award," Hazare said.

The award carries a cash reward of one crore rupees, a gold medal and a citation.

While announcing the award, IIPM dean, Professor Arindam Chaudhuri, had said the anti-corruption crusader was selected for the award "to show strong solidarity" to his determined and non-violent protest against corruption.