Anna exhorts people to fill jails

The anti-corruption crusader appealed the people to be peaceful and nonviolent. He declared his resolve to launch his fast at the same venue and if police arrest him he would continue his fast in jail. According to the schedule announced by Hazare, Team Anna would try to enter the Park at 10 am on Tuesday.

In a virtual, parallel address to the nation, the Gandhian appealed the people to court arrest if police arrest him on Tuesday. “It is an honour to visit jail for the benefit of  society,” he said.

After Team Anna’s refusal to accept restrictions like limiting number of fasting days to three and  number of protesters to 5,000, Delhi police on Monday denied permission to the Gandhian to sit on fast at the venue that they had suggested. The denial came soon after the team submitted an undertaking to comply with only 16 of 22 conditions laid by the police. Team Anna denied accepting restrictions on using loudspeakers, erecting tents and parking more than 50 vehicles, including motorbikes. They also denied a medical check-up for Anna by government doctors. The police also indicated possibility of a crackdown in the event of Anna and his supporters try to enter the Park to launch the fast. It is likely they would be stopped and might be arrested as the police prepared to lock down the grounds.

“Anybody assembling at the Park tomorrow (Tuesday) would face legal action,” said Sudhir Yadav, joint commissioner of police (Northern Range). “We have denied the permission. Nobody is supposed to come to the park. If somebody comes there, it is unlawful. They will be handled according to law. If they do that, it is violation of law,” Yadav said.

Team Anna alleged the police was not acting on its own and had been directed from the political bosses. They said an undertaking had been given leaving six out of the 22 conditions laid by police. “We have not accepted six conditions as they are unconstitutional,” activists Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi said.

Prashant Bhushan has already indicated that they might approach the Supreme Court against the decision of the police to deny the permission.