Hazare to fast from August 16

A day after talks on Lok Pal Bill got deadlocked, Anna Hazare today accused the government of having no intention of enacting a strong anti-corruption law and said he will undertake an indefinite fast from August 16 if a diluted legislation is brought.

Hazare alleged that the government had "backtracked" on the promises that it will agree to all the suggestions forwarded by the civil society members.

He told reporters that he was "surprised" that the government wants civil society members to give a separate draft of the Bill which will be brought before the Cabinet along with that of the government.

"If there have to be two drafts, then why was this joint committee formed. They could have told us earlier. Our draft was known to them. Why waste so much of time? It is clear that the government has no intention to bring an effective Bill," Hazare said.

Alleging that the government had gone back on assurances given to him to persuade him to withdraw his hunger strike in April, he said, "I will resume my fast on August 16....If the government tries to suppress us like in the case of Ramdev, we are prepared for that," he said.

"We are ready to face lathis and bullets. I am ready to sacrifice my life for the sake of the country," he said.

However, the Hazare camp made it clear that they will attend the meetings of June 20 and 21 to see what the government has to say on the issue.

Hazare's aide Arvind Kejriwal said the government has "frittered away a huge opportunity" to frame a strong Bill and take credit for it. "What the government is now bringing is not a Lok Pal Bill but a 'Joke Pal' Bill."