<p>Noting that there was a need to unite people of India, he said that he would tour the entire country and campaign against corruption.<br /><br />“This is the first stage of protest. I want to assure everyone that if the Bill is not passed on August 15, we will hoist the Tricolour at Lal Qila for the second freedom struggle,” the 73-year-old social activist said, while addressing thousands of people gathered near Jantar Mantar here on Saturday.<br /><br />He said that responsibility of the supporters of the anti-graft movement has increased as the government issued a gazette notification constituting a joint committee of ministers and civil society activists to draft an effective Lokpal Bill. “The path is long. Now, we have to prepare the draft; then, if the draft faces hurdle in the Cabinet, we will struggle for getting it passed. When it comes to Lok Sabha, it should be passed unanimously. If it faces hurdles there, I will take the tri-colour on my shoulder and we will go to Lok Sabha,” Hazare said.<br /><br />Hazare termed the anti-graft movement “the beginning of of another freedom struggle.”<br />“We have a long way to go. We will have to struggle whenever it is necessary. We have to put pressure on the government to make governance transparent,” he added.<br />He thanked everyone for extending support to the movement.<br /><br />“The support of the youth is a symbol of hope. The fact that youth of the whole nation stood with us is a ray of hope. Youth power is the power of the nation,” he added.<br />Hazare also made a strong plea for reforms in education, labour rights and country’s election system. <br /><br />“Decentralisation of power is very important to ensure that corruption is defeated. As long as the voters don't get power in their hand, corruption will remain,” he added.<br />He expressed concerns over the use of electronic voting machines and demanded inclusion of an option wherein people could register that they wanted to vote for none of the candidates.</p>
<p>Noting that there was a need to unite people of India, he said that he would tour the entire country and campaign against corruption.<br /><br />“This is the first stage of protest. I want to assure everyone that if the Bill is not passed on August 15, we will hoist the Tricolour at Lal Qila for the second freedom struggle,” the 73-year-old social activist said, while addressing thousands of people gathered near Jantar Mantar here on Saturday.<br /><br />He said that responsibility of the supporters of the anti-graft movement has increased as the government issued a gazette notification constituting a joint committee of ministers and civil society activists to draft an effective Lokpal Bill. “The path is long. Now, we have to prepare the draft; then, if the draft faces hurdle in the Cabinet, we will struggle for getting it passed. When it comes to Lok Sabha, it should be passed unanimously. If it faces hurdles there, I will take the tri-colour on my shoulder and we will go to Lok Sabha,” Hazare said.<br /><br />Hazare termed the anti-graft movement “the beginning of of another freedom struggle.”<br />“We have a long way to go. We will have to struggle whenever it is necessary. We have to put pressure on the government to make governance transparent,” he added.<br />He thanked everyone for extending support to the movement.<br /><br />“The support of the youth is a symbol of hope. The fact that youth of the whole nation stood with us is a ray of hope. Youth power is the power of the nation,” he added.<br />Hazare also made a strong plea for reforms in education, labour rights and country’s election system. <br /><br />“Decentralisation of power is very important to ensure that corruption is defeated. As long as the voters don't get power in their hand, corruption will remain,” he added.<br />He expressed concerns over the use of electronic voting machines and demanded inclusion of an option wherein people could register that they wanted to vote for none of the candidates.</p>
