Photographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
Set to begin his fast for a strong Lokpal in Mumbai on Tuesday, Anna Hazare on Monday said the repeated volte-face by the government over the issue had forced him to fast again.
Click on NEXT for more...
'The result was again a U-turn'
Image: Arvind KejriwalPhotographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
"They formed a joint committee and then in the joint committee they did a U-turn. They formed a standing committee but the result was again a U-turn," Hazare told reporters before he left for Mumbai to begin his three-day fast.
Click on NEXT for more...
'This movement had to be launched'
Image: Kiran BediPhotographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
"A written assurance was sent by the prime minister that the Bill would be passed in Parliament but even there the government did a U-turn," he said.
"In spite of being asked not once but several times, they (government) are still not creating an anti-corruption law. Out of compulsion, this movement had to be launched," he said.
Click on NEXT for more...
'My agitation is against corruption'
Image: Mumbai's MMRDA ground gets ready for Anna Hazare's protest fastPhotographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
Hazare claimed his movement was not against any political party.
"My agitation is not against any political party, it is against corruption," he said.
Click on NEXT for more...
'Congress people feel this movement is against them'
Image: Mumbai's MMRDA ground gets ready for Anna Hazare's protest fastPhotographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
"For 25 years, we have been fighting corruption. Congress people feel this movement is against them. Tell us how many times in 25 years have we led movements against you," he said.
Click on NEXT for more...
'People fought for RTI Act'
Image: Mumbai's MMRDA ground gets ready for Anna Hazare's protest fastPhotographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
Hazare said the government had brought only one law against corruption post Independence and that was the Right to Information Act. For that too, said the social activist, people had to fight for ten years.
Click on NEXT for more...
Hazare to start his rally in Juhu
Image: Mumbai's MMRDA ground gets ready for Anna Hazare's protest fastPhotographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
On Tuesday, after garlanding Mahatama Gandhi's statue in Juhu, a rally would move towards the MMRDA ground, where Hazare sit on his protest fast.
Click on NEXT for more...
'Politicians don't know what is happening to the poor people'
Image: Mumbai's MMRDA ground gets ready for Anna Hazare's protest fastPhotographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
He said people from various parts of Maharashtra will come to Mumbai while people from states across India will reach Delhi's Ram Lila Maidan, despite the cold there, to join the protest.
"What is happening to the poor, they (politicians) don't know because they are in air-conditioned rooms 24 hours a day," Hazare said.
Click on NEXT for more...
'We will have a dharna outside Sonia Gandhi's residence'
Image: Mumbai's MMRDA ground gets ready for Anna Hazare's protest fastPhotographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
"On the 27, 28, 29 there will be a protest fast on the MMRDA ground in Mumbai. On the 30th we will have a dharna outside Sonia Gandhi's residence. That dharna will go on for three days," he said.
Click on NEXT for more...
'We are not afraid of death'
Image: Mumbai's MMRDA ground gets ready for Anna Hazare's protest fastPhotographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
Apprehending that the government may use force against him and his supporters, he said, "We know the government is very powerful. Everyone saw what they did to Ramdev. In the middle of the night, sleeping women were hit with lathis. We know that such a thing could be done to us as well but we are not afraid of death."
Click on NEXT for more...
'There is great strength in non-violence'
Image: Mumbai's MMRDA ground gets ready for Anna Hazare's protest fastPhotographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
Hazare also requested his supporters, especially the youth, to observe non-violence.
"Some people will try to create obstacles but my request is that there should be no violence. There is great strength in non-violence," Hazare said.
Click on NEXT for more...
'Youth should not forget Bhagat Singh, Rajguru'
Image: Mumbai's MMRDA ground gets ready for Anna Hazare's protest fastPhotographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
"Youth are our national strength. I was a youth when I decided that I have to do something and it became possible now. The youth should not forget Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev who sacrificed so much for the country," he added.
Click on NEXT for more...
Hazare has been unwell
Image: Mumbai's MMRDA ground gets ready for Anna Hazare's protest fastPhotographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
Replying to reporters' queries, Hazare said he has been unwell for a couple of days due to too much activity but had recovered before the protest fast.
Click on NEXT for more...
Hazare leaves for Mumbai
Image: Mumbai's MMRDA ground gets ready for Anna Hazare's protest fastPhotographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
Meanwhile, the anti-corruption crusader today left his village for Mumbai for his fast in support of a strong Lokpal.
Hundreds of villagers gathered to see him off as he left by road for Alandi, where he paid tribute at Sant Dnyaneshwar Samadhi, before reaching Mumbai tonight.
Click on NEXT for more...
Kejriwal, Bedi to fast alongside Hazare
Image: Mumbai's MMRDA ground gets ready for Anna Hazare's protest fastPhotographs: Sanjay Sawant/ Rediff.com
The fast, to be followed by a jail bharo campaign, is being held at the MMRDA ground at suburban Bandra-Kurla Complex, where key Team Anna members Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi are scheduled to fast along with him.
Click on NEXT for more...
article