Anna Hazare Calls Off Fast

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare called off his ten-day old fast and maun vrat (vow of silence) against corruption at 2000 hours here yesterday night following Chief Minister Manohar Joshis clean chit to his Hind Swaraj Trust.

Hazare announced his decision to call off the fast and maun vrat in a jam-packed gram sabha (meeting of villagers) amidst cheers from the crowd. He had gone on fast to protest among other things a statement made by Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray alleging misappropriation in the Rs 22 crore grant received by the Hind Swaraj Trust from the government.

The social activist told villagers that he had always insisted upon public disclosure of facts pertaining to financial transactions of the Trust headed by him in view of the recent allegations against its functioning. Hazare said he had received a letter from the Chief Minister today in which he was informed that no irregularities had come to light during an inquiry by the charity commissioner into the functioning of the Trust.

Addressing villagers, Hazare said the government has also informed that inquiry into 400 cases of corruption submitted by me was in progress and that 18 government officials had been suspended in this connection.

The soldier-turned-social worker said the government had assured him that action against the remaining persons involved in these cases would be taken within a month. He welcomed state governments decision to set up a permanent anti-corruption machinery in the state and said I have always given priority to the decisions of gram sabha and always considered them binding on myself.

Since I began my fast and maun vrat on May 10, the gram sabha and men and women of Ralegan Sidhi continuously pleaded that I should withdraw the agitation for mine as well as their well-being. So I am calling off the fast and maun vrat today, he told the vast gathering.

Indirectly lashing out at the Sena supremo, he said people throw stones at only those trees which bear fruit. Thats why I dont mind even if my good work is criticised. Hazare also announced that about 1,000 activists would be trained within the next five to six months as part of his resolve to set up an effective anti-corruption machinery in the state.

The social activist said that some cases would be filed in the court while some others would be handed over to the anti-corruption bureau and the remaining forwarded to the government with a stress for thorough inquiry.

Hazare has lost five kgs since he began his fast on May 10, according to doctors attending on him.