India arrests activist planning to fast against graft
Source: Agencies |
August 17, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
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AN Indian anti-corruption activist arrested yesterday for planning a public hunger strike began his fast behind bars as his supporters held protests across the country. Thousands were detained by police.
Anna Hazare, a 73-year-old social activist clad in the simple white cotton garb of India's liberation leaders, has become an anti-corruption icon by using the tactics of freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi.
In April, Hazare fasted for four days to force the government to draft legislation to create an anti-corruption watchdog. He had planned to begin another fast yesterday in a public park to press for stronger laws.
Police barred his latest protest after organizers refused to limit the number of fasting days and participants, according to Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram.
"Protests are perfectly permissible and welcome, but must be under reasonable conditions," he said.
Hazare vowed to carry on regardless but was arrested before leaving for the park.
He waved cheerfully to reporters outside his home as he was driven away to a police station, where he began his fast. Later, after refusing to post bail, Hazare was taken to New Delhi's Tihar jail for seven days' detention, joining business leaders and three lawmakers who are facing corruption charges.
His supporters released a video appeal Hazare had recorded in anticipation of his arrest. He said: "My dear countrymen, the second freedom struggle has begun, and now I have also been arrested. But will this movement be stopped by my arrest? No, not at all. Do not let it happen."
Thousands rallied across the country, carrying placards calling for a "revolution against corruption," taunting authorities to "please arrest me" and decrying Hazare's arrest as an anti-democratic affront to civil rights. Some donned white caps resembling Hazare's with the words "I am Anna Hazare" scrawled in Hindi and English.
Police rounded up at least 1,200 protesters in New Delhi and more than 3,000 in Mumbai, but many were later released.
The Home Minister said the government is seeking only to maintain order in arresting Hazare.
Anna Hazare, a 73-year-old social activist clad in the simple white cotton garb of India's liberation leaders, has become an anti-corruption icon by using the tactics of freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi.
In April, Hazare fasted for four days to force the government to draft legislation to create an anti-corruption watchdog. He had planned to begin another fast yesterday in a public park to press for stronger laws.
Police barred his latest protest after organizers refused to limit the number of fasting days and participants, according to Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram.
"Protests are perfectly permissible and welcome, but must be under reasonable conditions," he said.
Hazare vowed to carry on regardless but was arrested before leaving for the park.
He waved cheerfully to reporters outside his home as he was driven away to a police station, where he began his fast. Later, after refusing to post bail, Hazare was taken to New Delhi's Tihar jail for seven days' detention, joining business leaders and three lawmakers who are facing corruption charges.
His supporters released a video appeal Hazare had recorded in anticipation of his arrest. He said: "My dear countrymen, the second freedom struggle has begun, and now I have also been arrested. But will this movement be stopped by my arrest? No, not at all. Do not let it happen."
Thousands rallied across the country, carrying placards calling for a "revolution against corruption," taunting authorities to "please arrest me" and decrying Hazare's arrest as an anti-democratic affront to civil rights. Some donned white caps resembling Hazare's with the words "I am Anna Hazare" scrawled in Hindi and English.
Police rounded up at least 1,200 protesters in New Delhi and more than 3,000 in Mumbai, but many were later released.
The Home Minister said the government is seeking only to maintain order in arresting Hazare.
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