Anna Hazare launches indefinite hunger strike

Noted Gandhian Anna Hazare started his indefinite hunger strike in front of Yadavbaba Temple in Ralegaon Siddi on Tuesday to press for the passage of a strong Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament.

Later in the day, the state government sent feelers to the activist requesting him to call off the agitation. Hazare, however, declined on the grounds that he has been “betrayed earlier and this time he will not be taken for a ride.”

Accusing the Congress of “betraying” the nation, the anti-graft activist told the local media that it was time for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to either “keep its promise or quit.”

He told reporters: “Early in the morning (Tuesday), while offering prayers at the temple, I asked almighty to grant this government (UPA) subuddhi (thinking power), so that they take a decision and clear the passage of a strong Jan Lokpal.”

While reacting to the Congress debacle in the polls, the activist from Maharashtra who shot into limelight after staging a series of hunger strikes in Delhi, said: “If the Congress still fails to grasp the reality even after the bashing it got in the just concluded polls, then they really need their heads examined. The Centre should now show some courage by introducing the bill in winter session."

For the first time, Hazare also showed concern for the land usurpation and the gradual spread of corporate influence in formation of government policies.

He said: “It is time to usher in policies which are pro-people and not pro-multinational companies.”