ANNA HAZARE BEGAN INDEFINITE FAST AGAINST CORRUPTION AT JANTAR MANTAR

ANNA HAZARE BEGAN INDEFINITE FAST AGAINST CORRUPTION AT JANTAR MANTAR

Anna Hazare on Sunday,29^th July,2012, began his indefinite fast against corruption at Jantar Mantar, joining other Team Anna members who have been agitating there since July 25, 2012.“He has been fasting since morning,” a Team Anna member told . The members, led by Arvind Kejriwal, began their indefinite fast on Wednesday to press for a strong Jan Lokpal Bill and demanding an inquiry into allegations of corruption against over a dozen ministers.Mr. Hazare, 75, had said that he would join the fast from July 29, 2012 if the government failed to take immediate steps to check corruption in high places.His indefinite fast is expected to inject some life into the agitation which has so far received a lukewarm response.

Team Anna has the permission to fast at Jantar Mantar till Aug 8, the day the parliament’s monsoon session is expected to begin.This is Hazare’s third indefinite hunger strike demanding a strong Jan Lokpal Bill to check corruption at all levels. His earlier protests led to a nationwide movement.Mr. Hazare said the protest by his supporters outside Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s official residence was a reaction by the people who were angry at the government.However, he advised all his supporters to “think before doing any such things”.

“People are fed up and angry as they have been suffering for so long. We should think before taking any such step as it involves the country’s Prime Minister,” Mr. Hazare told reporters before beginning his indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar.Around 100 Team Anna supporters, including eight women, took security personnel by surprise on Saturday evening after they suddenly turned up outside the Prime Minister’s house at 7, Race Course Road to protest.Holding placards and banners against the government and the Prime Minister and shouting slogans, the crowd protested against the coal block allocation during the period Manmohan Singh held the coal portfolio. They also demanded a strong Jan Lokpal Bill.

Prof. John Kurakar