Fasting Anna Calls for 'Revolution' as Thousands Rally
Pics: NDTV
Update: 7.45 pm
New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS): Enthused by the nationwide support for his anti-corruption campaign, civil society activist Anna Hazare Thursday vowed to be on fast till a strong Lokpal Bill was passed and called for a "transformation" of India.
Addressing thousands of cheering supporters on reaching the rain-drenched Ramlila ground here, after a nearly three-hour journey from Tihar Jail where he had been since Tuesday, the 74-year-old was full of energy as he took a hardline stance on an anti-corruption legislation.
"We will not leave this place till a (stronger) Lokpal bill is passed," Hazare said, urging the young collected at the spacious ground not to abandon the fight against India's endemic corruption.
"This is the start of a new revolution, of a new freedom struggle," declared the soldier-turned-activist whose arrest Tuesday sparked off nationwide protests and put the government in a political fix.
"This torch of revolution should always remain lit. It is not just about Lokpal. We have to bring about a transformation in this country," he said in chaste Hindi. The crowds responded with slogans hailing him.
People, he added, would not tolerate any more the loot of national wealth.
The brief speech, heralding the start of an indefinite fast at Ramlila ground, came on Day 4 of the Anna saga which has left the Congress-led coalition wondering how to tackle him.
Hazare was arrested and sent to Tihar Jail Tuesday when he set out to begin his hunger strike. As mass protests erupted, the government did a U-turn and ordered him released.
But he refused to leave the prison until he was allowed to fast without fetters. Eventually, the authorities agreed to let him use the vast Ramlila ground that can accommodate thousands of people.
As he stepped out of Tihar Jail Friday morning, hundreds of people, many of who had been camping outside the prison for days, cheered even as heavy rains lashed the area.
With a protective ring thrown by police and activists of India Againt Corruption (IAC), Hazare started a journey in an open truck decorated with Indian flags, negotiating his way through massive crowds.
At one point, the procession was two kilometres long. The crowds was made up of people from all ages and varying socio-economic backgrounds.
Accompanied by thousands, it took Hazare nearly three hours to reach Ramlila via Rajghat, where he paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi, and a halt at India Gate, now dedicated to Indian soldiers.
An ebullient Hazare at one stage was seen sprinting away from police personnel at Rajghat.
The crowds appeared quite unmindful of the rain. Some said it was a good omen.
As Hazare stepped out of the Tihar Jail, he shouted slogans of "Inquilab zindabad", "Jai Hind" and "Bharat Mata ki Jai", betraying the fact that he had lost three kilograms since his fast started Tuesday.
Hazare was emotive: "I thank you all for the support. We got independence in 1947 but our fight for complete independence has begun on Aug 16 and we will fight till we manage to get a corruption-free India."
He added to loud cheers: "The fight against corruption should continue whether or not I am alive. It's a people's movementm and you should fight on even after I am gone."
At Ramlila ground, there was a sea of school children, some who had bunked their classes to come out in support of Hazare.
"I have come here to support Annaji and we will get the civil society version of Lokpal bill passed come what may," said Prateek Babar, student of Rajkiya Sarvodya Vidhyalaya School in west Delhi.
Protests against the government version of the Lokpal Bill and in support of Hazare also continued in several cities and towns of India for a fourth straight day.
Team Hazare is bitterly opposed to the government-sponsored Lokpal Bill that excludes from its ambit the prime minister, the judiciary and the mass of government officials.
Earlier Reports
New Delhi: Anna All Set to Continue Fast at Ramlila Maidan
Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, Aug 19: After his release from Tihar Jail, Anna Hazare is expected to reach Ramlila Maidan to continue his two-week indefinite fast there at 11 am, as per an understanding reached with the central government.
There are apprehensions among the supporters of Anna that if it rains, their plans at the ground might be hit. In the meantime, Kiran Bedi said that the Gandhian will pray at Rajghat at 10 am before leaving for Ramlila Maidan.
In the meanwhile, the Delhi police are holding discussions on the route Hazare will take for his journey to Ramlila Maidan, in order to plan traffic diversions.
In another development, Art of Living founder, Sri Sri Ravishankar, disclosed that he has received threats from sources in the central government to launch a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry against his organization. The union government is not taking kindly of the spiritual Guru’s active involvement with the agitation launched by Anna Hazare relating to Lokpal Bill.
Preparations at Ramlila Ground in Full Swing
New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS): Preparations were on in full swing at Ramlila ground here where Gandhian activist Anna Hazare will continue his fast for a stronger anti-corruption bill Friday.
Hazare is expected to leave Tihar Jail at 11 a.m. Friday, said his aide Arvind Kejriwal.
A small tent was erected in the sprawling ground, most of which was wet due to the recent rains.
An image of Mahatma Gandhi was placed right behind the stage where Hazare will sit.
The contract for preparing the ground was given to a private firm, which has only readied half of the area till now.
Loudspeakers were in place and bhajans were being played. A mobile toilet and water tanks had been installed.
Anna's supporters are expected to troop into the Ramlila ground when the activist leaves the Tihar Jail premises.
The ground was dotted with police personnel, volunteers and the media.
Hazare is supposed to visit Mahatma Gandhi's memorial Rajghat on his way.
Hazare, 74, had planned to begin his fast for a stronger Lokpal Bill at the J.P. Park in the ITO area Tuesday.
Delhi Police imposed certain conditions before the protest could be allowed. Hazare however refused to agree, after which the police detained him and his associates Tuesday.
He was sent to Tihar Jail and was subsequently released Tuesday night, but he refused to leave the prison until he was allowed to carry on the fast without any conditions.