Anna Hazare ends fast after centre assurances on Lokpals’ appointment
NEW DELHI : Social activist and anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare,, who has been on hunger strike in New Delhi since March 23, on Thursday ended his fast at Ramlila Maidan, saying he has been assured by the Union government that a Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the States would be appointed soon.
The 80-year-old veteran had earlier asked the government to provide the blueprint for the actual implementation of his demands.
Anna decided to end his fast on Thursday after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat assured him that the appointments of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the states would be done soon.
Anna had sat on hunger strike following non-acceptance of his demands related to fair prices for crops, appointment of Lokpal and Lokayuktas, and electoral reforms. Both the leaders met Anna after news related to his declining health spread.
As quoted by news agency PTI, Hazare said that he was giving the government six months’ time till August to come good on its assurance and warned that his protest will again begin in September if the demands were not met. “They (government) have assured us that they will make the appointments as soon as possible.
“Sarkar aur janta alag nahi hoti…sarkar ka kaam hai janta ki bhalai, desh ki bhalai…aese andolan ki naubat nahi aani chahiye (the government and the public
are not separate. The government’s job is to do what is good for the people and the country. Things should not come to such a pass that protests are needed),” he said.A man was detained by police for allegedly hurling a shoe at the stage where Mr. Hazare, Mr. Fadnavis and Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat were present. *With Agency Inputs ).
