Hazare to give up fast as government buckles

Gandhian will end fast today after the centre 'conceded most of the demands for a stringent Lokpal Bill'

Veteran Gandhian Anna Hazare announced yesterday night that he would call off his four-day-old hunger strike today morning, saying the government had conceded most of the demands related to a stringent Lokpal Bill to combat corruption.

More than 83 hours after he launched his fast in the heart of the capital, Hazare told reporters and frenzied supporters, "From the way the government has accepted (our demands), the people of India have won."
The former soldier-turned-activist said he would end his fast at 10 am today.


Children shout anti-corruption slogans in Hazare's support in Amritsar yesterday

Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal welcome his move saying, "This is an happy day
for us. It is a victory for democracy."

u00a0Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday held a series of meetings to resolve the impasse over the ombudsman bill as the anti-corruption juggernaut rolled on unstoppably, with thousands of people across India joiningu00a0 Hazare, whose fast-unto-death for a stronger anti-graft law entered its fourth day.

Desperate to stem the tide of support for the crusade started by Hazare, who was fasting at Jantar Mantar, the Prime Minister held meetings with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Law Minister M Veerappa Moily and Sibal among others.

He also met Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, who had on Wednesday urged Hazare to end his hunger strike saying his demands will get the government's "full attention", and briefed President Pratibha Patil on the government's efforts to resolve the differences with the civil society activists demanding participation in the framing of a stronger anti-corruption bill.

The government has rejected the demands of the activists to have a former Supreme Court judge as head of a committee that will draft the anti-graft law and to notify the constitution of the panel.

Sibal, who met Arvind Kejriwal and Swami Agnivesh, two high profile activists backing Hazare, said after the first meeting in the morning that he had conveyed that it was "not possible for the government to issue an official notification" with respect to the committee's constitution.

The minister, who was huddled in a third meeting with ministerial colleagues and protesters yesterday evening, also conveyed tou00a0 members of the movement that it was "not possible for them to accept the chairmanship of a member of the civil society over this joint drafting committee".

The civil society leaders had proposed a notification of the committee that will draft the bill and also sought the appointment of former chief justice of India, JS Verma, or former Supreme Court judge, Justice Santosh Hegde, as chairman of the panel.

But Hazare, who has called for a jail bharo agitation on April 13, was adamant.
"The government proposedu00a0 that the finance minister head the committee. I request you to reconsider this as people are demanding a non-political person as the chairperson," he told the Prime Minister.

In a separate letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Hazare said, "I am also relieved to note that you fully support the cause and think there is an urgent necessity of combating graft and corruption in public life and that the law in these matters must be effective and deliver the desired results."

Though doctors declared him fit, the health of the frail Gandhian, who has led one of the largest people's movements since independence, continued to cause concern and led insiders to believe that an early compromise was inevitable.

Yoga guru Swami Ramdev and Delhi Metro's chief, E Sreedharan arrived at the Jantar Mantar to show solidarity with Hazare.

Anna vs IPL, where will you be?

Even as the much-hyped Indian Premier League got underway yesterday, most people here supporting social activist Anna Hazare in his fight against corruption said they would rather be at Jantar Mantar than sit in front of the television, watching cricket.

Sobhi, a young professional and resident of Malviya Nagar in south Delhi, made her choice clear when she walked around Jantar Mantar, the epicentre of all the activity, wearing a t-shirt that read "Where will you be, Anna Hazare or IPL at 6 pm."

On the back, it said: "I am (with) Anna Hazare."

The 72-year-old Gandhian has been on an indefinite fast for the past four days demanding that 50 percent of the committee which drafts the anti-graft Lokpal Bill should comprise prominent civil society representatives.

An ever growing mass of supporters, across the country and abroad, have been coming together to voice their support to Anna Hazare.

Virendra Sharma, 30, came with 25 people. "I have my whole life to watch cricket matches. I will definitely be here to save the nation," said Sharma.

Similarly Indrajit Singh, a class 11 student of MM Public School said: "IPL is nothing in front of the revolution initiated by Anna Hazare."

Sri Lakshmi, a management student, said: "I have come here to join the protest against corruption. This is the biggest movement in contemporary India. IPL is nothing compared to this. I will definitely be here."

Vinayak Chowdhary, a student at Bosco Public School, capped it all saying: "Even the IPL is plagued by corruption. I will be here to support Anna."

India Against Corruption, a forum which has been spreading awareness on Anna Hazare's cause, urged people going to watch IPL matches to sport Gandhi caps or hold placards with anti-corruption messages.

Twitterati

Am shooting in Hong Kong, the voice of Anna is heard all over the world- I support ANNA HAZARE - and his campaign - More power to himu00a0
Ritesh Deshmukh, Actor

According to some people, if you speak on Anna your are an attention seeker, while a corrupt politician hoarding power is protecting democracyu00a0
Chetan Bhagat, Author