Hazare, while addressing a public meeting at Kalidas auditorium last evening, appealed people to participate in 'jail bharo' agitation in protest against rising corruption and incidents of violence on April 12. The anti-corruption crusader surprised many, especially in the background of his Gandhian ways of protest, when he said that his aims of
uprooting corruption will never succeed on the line of Mahatma's thinking and people should instead adopt ways of Maratha king Shivaji.
Describing his April 5 fast as the "second battle for freedom," the social activist asked youths to come forward. He said that people should undertake fast in front of offices at gram panchayats, tehsils, collectorates and submit memorandum demanding passage of Lokpal Bill.
Describing his meeting with the Prime Minister held in the first week of March as "without any results", Hazare said "If Lokpal bill is passed, we will be able to finish corruption and goondaism," Hazare said. He said that he was awaiting the government's response regarding Lokpal Bill till April 4 before going on fast the next day.
(Published 23 March 2011, 08:34 IST)