Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 15: In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, activist Anna Hazare wrote that he would go on 'the last hunger strike of his life' on farmers' issues in Delhi by January end.
Speaking to reporters, Hazare maintained that the new farm laws are unconstitutional and do not conform to 'democratic values'. He also stated that it was necessary that there is people's participation in the drafting of legislation.
On December 14, Hazare had written to union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar, warning of a hunger strike if his demands including the implementation of the M S Swaminathan Committee's recommendations on agriculture were not met.
"On the issue of farmers, I have had correspondence (with the Centre) five times, however, no response came."
"As a result, I have decided to go on the last hunger strike of my life," said Hazare in his message to the Prime Minister on Thursday.
Hazare has also written four letters to the concerned authority seeking permission to go on hunger strike at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. However, the 83-year-old activist said that he has not received any response from the authorities in the matter.
Hazare, who was in the forefront of the anti-corruption movement in 2011, reminded that when he went on a hunger strike at the Ramlila Maidan, the then UPA government had called a special session of Parliament.
"In that session, you and your senior ministers (leaders of the BJP, which was then in opposition at the Centre) had praised me, but now despite giving written assurances over the demands, you are not fulfilling them," he said.
He also termed the Supreme Court's stay on the implementation of the laws as a 'moral defeat' of the government and praised the farmers for protesting in a peaceful manner.
"If the farmers carry on the agitation in a non-violent way, the government would not be able to do anything. The moment it turns violent, the government will crush it," he added.