Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, Aug 15: The tussle between the union government and Team Anna Hazare is set to intensify with civil society leader Anna Hazare's announcement that he and his supporters would defy the prohibitory section 144 imposed by Delhi police around the JP Park and go ahead with the proposed march and fast demanding a strong Lokpal Bill.
Following the announcement, a sense of impending anarchy has descended on New Delhi, especially of Anna and his team get arrested on Tuesday August 16 for defying section 144.
Political observers feel that if Team Anna is arrested, the movement may intensify and there could be a possibility of more people joining in.
"I am ready for arrest and will stick to my cause. This government is not listening to anyone. I will continue my fast even in jail," challenged Anna Hazare while speaking to the media after learning that the Delhi police had imposed section 144, which prohibits people from gathering in groups of more than four.
Aravind Kejriwal, a member of the civil society lashing out at the government said, "The Delhi government has put 22 conditions before Anna to go on fast. Can the same government dare put the same conditions before any political party wanting to organise a protest? Why such double standards between political parties and the civil society? At any cost we will defy the section and go ahead with our proest."
Another follower of Anna Hazare told the media that there was nothing wrong in defying section 144. Look at the UP government - whenever Rahul Gandhi visits Lucknow for any kind of protest or meetings, the Mayawati administration imposes section 144, but Rahul Gandhi defies it every time. But he has never been arrested there. So what is wrong with us defying the orders?"
But anti-Anna Hazare leaders say that Hazare and his team are arrogant. "How can they dictate terms on the Lokpal Bill? It is like holding someone at gun point and saying, do this, or else I will shoot you! This strategy is against the principles of democracy, and will not work."
If Anna Hazare is arrested in Delhi on August 16 there could be chaos in the city, and with Anna threatening a 'Jail Bharo' movement, the arrest could well turn out to be a big headache to the government.
There are possibilities that instead of arresting, the Delhi administration might take Anna and his team to another place.
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