Anna calls for another 'jail bharo' agitation

Addressing a mesmerised audience which swarmed in large numbers at the Freedom Park, the charismatic Gandhian called upon the youth to picket the residences of Parliamentarians who vote against the Lokpal Bill.

Launching a veiled attack on the UPA government, Anna said the government was defying the verdict of the Parliament. The septuagenarian roared from the podium: “Sarkar janata ke saath dhokha kar rahi hai. December 27 se, main Ramlila Maidan mein, aur aap sadak par.” (The government is deceiving the public. I will be at the Ramlila Maidan and you will agitate on the roads from December 27).

Questioning the intentions of the government, Anna said: “The government gave me a letter containing the ‘Sense of the House,’ bearing the signature of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreeing on three prime demands, why was it backtracking?”

Giving a clean chit to Manmohan Singh for the logjam on the Lokpal Bill, he said the Prime Minister is good, but those holding his remote control are corrupt. “It appears, people are creating impediments in clearing the Lokpal Bill for the convenience of some future prime ministers,” the Gandhian said.

He called upon youth to react strongly against the injustice. Giving details of his major showdown against the government, he said he would fast from December 27 and would wait for four days. If the government delays, a nation-wide “Jail Bharo” agitation will be launched. He said: “Compel the governments to fill the jails by agitating in front of the Parliamentarians.”

Asking people to restrain themselves from any violent act during the next major show, Anna said the agitation must be peaceful. “Let them assault you. But there should not be any retaliation from your side. We will later make them pay the price for their violent acts,” he said and added that he had dedicated his life to the nation and to achieve his objective. He followed celibacy and never fell into any allurement.

Hegde feted

Earlier on the occasion, Anna felicitated former Lokayukta Santosh Hegde in appreciation of his honesty. He handed over a citation hailing Hegde’s integrity. In reply to the felicitation, Santosh Hegde said the citation is an answer to those who have been criticising him for coming out with a report on illegal mining. He said he would not hesitate to fight for a strong Lokpal Bill.

Addressing the gathering, former IPS officer and key member of Team Anna, Kiran Bedi said that she will not allow the laws to be framed behind the closed doors. It should be decided by the people in the open. She also warned the Karnataka government that the corrupt would not be allowed to head the Lokayukta.