Hazare to fast again, flays attack on Ramdev

Mtoday news / PTI

New Delhi, June 5 : Gandhian activist Anna Hazare, who had gone on a hunger strike in April, Sunday said he would undertake a day’s fast here Wednesday to put pressure on the government to act against corruption.

’We have decided that we will organise a day’s fast on June 8,’ Hazare told a news conference here and urged Indians across the country to follow suit.

’Wherever you may be, you may stage a fast. And pray to god to give wisdom to this government.’

Hazare, whose five-day fast here in April forced the government to set up a panel to draft a Lokpal bill, also denounced the police crackdown on yoga guru Ramdev and the eviction of thousands of his supporters from here.

 

’We condemn this action. This is a blot on humanity,’ he said. ’This is like throttling democracy.’

Saying protests were allowed in a democracy, he said the police attack on the mass of sleeping protesters at Ramlila ground at night was highly condemnable.

Hazare said the government did not appear to be serious in eradicating corruption.

’They don’t want all government officers to come under the purview of the Lokpal bill. Why? Is there not corruption at the lower level?

’It seems they don’t want to end corruption... It is necessary for people all over the country to stand up for a corruption-free India.’