Daijiworld Media Network
With input from agencies
Pictures from Mumbai - by Rons Bantwal
New Delhi, Aug 16: Young and powerful Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is also the general secretary of the party, stepped in to defuse the situation that arose following the arrest of civil society leader Anna Hazare who is fighting for a stronger Lokpal Bill on Tuesday August 16 morning from his residence in Delhi.
Rahul Gandhi met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the evening and discussed the situation.
Rahul Gandhi reportedly requested the PM to release Anna Hazare immediately to calm down the angry protestors across the nation.
Though it has been confirmed that officials have agreed to release Hazare, the activist is reportedly refusing to be let out of Tihar jail. It is learnt that Anna Hazare wants unconditional permission to carry out his fast, and will walk out of the jail only if the government agrees to his condition.
Hazare and his activists galvanised support from various parts of India with opposition parties rallying behind him in unison.
The social activist and some of his supporters were arrested Tuesday for breach of peace ahead of a planned fast to press for a strong anti-graft Lokpal bill.
The 74-year-old Gandhian is said to have not touched any food or water since morning, thus beginning his hunger strike against corruption.
However, he was set to be released any time soon, sources said.
The release of Hazare, Congress sources said, could have been worked out courtesy back-channel talks between the government and civil society activists.
A lot of the back-channel communication is also thanks to Gandhi, who has a major say in the Congress in the absence of party president Sonia Gandhi, a senior Congress leader told IANS.
Rahul Gandhi has communication channels with the Team Anna through some members of the National Advisory Council (NAC) and some NGO activists, he said.
There is a feeling among both the sides that the positions should not further harden and the situation should not go out of control, the Congress leader said.
Hazare wants to continue fast at venue: Bedi
New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) Social activist Anna Hazare has refused to leave Tihar Jail till he is allowed to hold his planned fast at J.P. Park, according to his close confidante Kiran Bedi.
Speaking to reporters outside Tihar Jail, Bedi said Hazare wants no restrictions on his fast and after his release, plans to go to the venue to continue his fast for a strong Lokpal Bill.
Bedi said Hazare also wants Section 144 - that prohibits the gathering of five or more people - lifted from the venue, located next to Feroze Shah Kotla ground in the heart of the capital.
According to Manish Sisodia, another of Hazare's close aides, who was with him in jail and released in the evening, the 74-year-old activist is continuing with his fast that he began in the morning. Four others were also released with Sisodia.