Fight against corruption: Anna Hazare fasts for 'second freedom struggle'

Taking on the government, civil rights activist Anna Hazare today went on a day-long fast at Rajghat. He declared that his agitation against corruption was the “second freedom struggle” and threatened another hunger strike from August 16, if the Lok Pal Bill was not passed by then.

He accused the government of putting “hurdles” in the drafting of the Bill and trying to defame civil society members of the joint panel, Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan, Santosh Hegde and Arvind Kejriwal, through a “discreet” campaign.

Hazare, joined by his associates and a few thousand supporters, went on the hunger strike to protest the police crackdown on Ramdev’s supporters during their agitation against corruption here on Saturday night, which he termed as a “blot on humanity” and attempt to “stifle democracy”.

After paying floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi's samadhi, he reached the protest site at around 10.20 am to a rousing welcome from supporters who assembled there amid heavy police presence.

“Mahatma Gandhi fought for our freedom but we are yet to achieve real independence. The second struggle of independence has started. We are ready to sacrifice our lives but will not buckle under pressure,” Hazare said.

Mounting pressure on the government to quickly enact a law to curb corruption, he said he will launch an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar here from August 16 if the Lok Pal Bill is not passed by then.

Hazare's indefinite fast in April had evoked nationwide support forcing the government to set up a joint committee of civil society members and ministers to draft the bill.

Hazare said the government was levelling allegations against civil society members to defame them.

“First they targeted Shanti and Prashant Bhushan through a CD and later took on Hegde. Now we hear that some officers have been put behind Arvind to find out about his assets. What is the need for doing so when he does not have anything? This is not good. If you want to ask something, ask directly. You are doing these discreet things,” he said.

“I want to tell the government that we are not two but one. You should wipe it out of your mind that you are the masters. You are not the masters, the people are. Gram Sabha is more powerful than Lok Sabha or State Assemblies," he said.

Comparing the police action at Ramlila Maidan to Jallianwala Bagh "without the firing part", he asked what is the difference between your democracy and British Raj?

Hazare said he would not seek security for himself and he was not afraid of death.

With Delhi Police refusing permission for the day-long hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, Hazare had decided to shift the venue to Rajghat to avoid a confrontation.