Triumphant Anna Breaks Fast Amid Much Jubilation
Daijiworld Media Network
Pic: NDTV
New Delhi, Aug 28: After more than 12 days of fast against corruption which ultimately ended in triumph, civil society activist and now the hero of the entire nation finally broke his fast shortly after 10 am at Ramlila Ground here.
A large crowd gathered at the Ramlila to witness the moment, and there's jubilation all round, as Anna broke his fast with coconut water and honey amid a large round of applause and shouts in his support.
"This the victory of the people of India. All the efforts that you have put in in the last 13 days, have born fruit. I would like to thank the media for helping this victory happen. I thank those who continously cared for my health. I want to thank the members of the civil society...It is a victory of every Indian." Anna told his supporters.
He, however added that he had only "suspended" his fast and not ended it, and that his campaign for a strong Lokpal institution would continue till parliament passed the anti-graft bill.
"I have just suspended the fast.. did not end it. The fight will go on till parliament passes the Lokpal bill," he said.
The nation, particularly the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, heaved a collective sigh of relief at the resolution of a major national cris as the 74-year-old activist ended his fast at around 10.20 am. He began his fast Aug 16 morning and completed 288 hours of fasting Sunday.
Five-year-old Simran, a Dalit from Sunder Nagri in the capital, and Iqri, a Muslim girl from Turkman Gate, offered the coconut water and honey mixture to him.
As a smiling Anna sipped from a steel glass, people in Ramlila Maidan cheered and hugged each other while some sang "Desh ke pyare Anna Hamare".
Arvind Kejriwal, a key member of Team Anna, thanked each and every person who has been involved in the anti-corruption movement and supported Anna relentlessly. He thanked the NRIs too who showed their support in their own ways in various parts of the world. "We thank all those who have come from across the nation and set up camps here in Ramlila," he said.
He expressed special gratitude to the volunteers who worked day and night and those who were instrumental in spreading Anna's message in every nook and corner of the country.
He also thanked the government, the Oppostion parties and other political parties and the Parliament for agreeing to Anna's demands. He also thanked the Delhi police.
Speaking about the anti-corruption movement, Kejriwal said that for the first time since Independence, a law is taking shape that is truly demanded by the people. Until now, even though people's power is supreme in a democracy, it was the Parliamentarians who used to pass laws without asking people what they wanted. But now, a law that has seen intense debate across the nation is set to be enacted, he said.
He also appealed to the people to not give up the fight against corruption and carry forward the movement with the same spirit till corruption is routed out.
Perhaps taking a cue from Sharad Pawar's jibe in the Parliament on Saturday August 27 that Team Anna had never spoken on leaders like Ambedkar, Kejriwal made a special mention of Ambedkar and said that if the architect of the Constitution had forseen how present-day Parliamentarians had been making use of the Constitution for their own benefit, he might have put some more laws to stop such practices.
After breaking the fast, Anna will be admitted at Medanta Medicity hospital in Gurgaon and will skip Rajghat visit due to health concerns.
Kejriwal announced that on Sunday evening at 6 pm, a celebration will be held at India Gate and asked every one to attend the same.