Anti-graft icon to hold public fasting
Source: Agencies |
August 19, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
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A RENOWNED Indian anti-corruption crusader plans to embark on a 15-day public hunger strike that will pit him and his thousands of supporters against the scandal-plagued government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, his aides said yesterday.
Anna Hazare reached an agreement with police to hold the demonstration beginning today to push for tough new anti-corruption legislation, after a two-day standoff at a New Delhi jail.
Police had initially given Hazare permission to hold only a three-day public hunger strike, which he refused, but relented yesterday and agreed to allow him to hold a 15-day protest in the capital.
Hundreds of supporters camped outside the jail erupted in cheers at the news, threw flower petals in the air and shouted "Anna has won."
"For the first time the people of this country are feeling empowered. They are feeling that we are no longer slaves," said Shanti Bhushan, a former government minister helping lead the protest.
Hazare will be taken from the prison this morning, Swami Agnivesh, a social activist, said.
Hazare was in good health despite not having eaten since Tuesday, said Kiran Bedi, another Hazare associate. He has been only drinking water, Bedi added.
Hazare, clad in the simple white cotton garb of India's liberation leaders, has become an anti-corruption icon by channeling the tactics of Mahatma Gandhi.
Anna Hazare reached an agreement with police to hold the demonstration beginning today to push for tough new anti-corruption legislation, after a two-day standoff at a New Delhi jail.
Police had initially given Hazare permission to hold only a three-day public hunger strike, which he refused, but relented yesterday and agreed to allow him to hold a 15-day protest in the capital.
Hundreds of supporters camped outside the jail erupted in cheers at the news, threw flower petals in the air and shouted "Anna has won."
"For the first time the people of this country are feeling empowered. They are feeling that we are no longer slaves," said Shanti Bhushan, a former government minister helping lead the protest.
Hazare will be taken from the prison this morning, Swami Agnivesh, a social activist, said.
Hazare was in good health despite not having eaten since Tuesday, said Kiran Bedi, another Hazare associate. He has been only drinking water, Bedi added.
Hazare, clad in the simple white cotton garb of India's liberation leaders, has become an anti-corruption icon by channeling the tactics of Mahatma Gandhi.
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