New Delhi, 8 April, 2011: Anna Hazare who had been on fast since 5 April 2011 to pressurise the government to agree to a joint committee to draft the Lok Pal Bill, finally agreed to break his fast on Saturday, 9 April at 10 am as the government agreed to his proposal and assured to issue a proper government notification. The joint drafting committee will consist of fifty percent of the government personnel and fifty percent from the civil society. While Pranob Mukherjee will be the Chairperson from the government.
The Union Cabinet Minister, Kapil Sibal, speaking to the media persons at around 10 pm on Friday, 8 April said that the government has decided to end the uncertainty and issue the necessary notification soon. He also said that whatever is to be done regarding the Lok Pal Bill will be done by 30 June 2011.
On receiving the news of the acceptance of his demands by the government, Anna Hazare who had been on fast unto death since four days said that he will end the fast at 10 am hoping that the government will issue the notification by that time. He further said that it is the victory of India and that of the Indian people.
Besides the five government nominees there will be five representatives from the civil society on the joint drafting committee to draft the Lok Pal Bill. Shanti Bhushan will be the co-chairperson and other four members would include: Anna Hazare, Justice Santosh Hegde, Arvind Kejariwala and Prashant Bhushan.
The anti-corruption movement and the demand for enacting the Lok Pal Bill spearheaded by Anna Hazare had galvanized the entire Indian nation as young students, youth, middle aged, elderly persons, professionals and all those who were fed up with corruption among the politicians and officials joined the movement as demonstrations were held in all the major cities and towns of the country. Many people even joined Anna Hazare in his fast. There has been candle light vigil in Jantar mantar and India Gate at delhi and in other cities. Indians living in different parts of the world showed their solidarity with the movement against corruption. Anna Hazare fired the imagination of the Indians, especially the youth who came out in large numbers to support him in his fight for the Lok Pal Bill. Within four days, Anna Hazare became a household name and even small schoolgoing children began to invoke his name.
As the government agreed to practically all the demands of Anna Hazare, it is likely that Anna Hazare will break his fast on Saturday, 9 April 2011 at 10 am and history will be made as Anna Hazare the ‘Second Gandhi’ of India has proved that with Gandhian ways victories can be achieved and the ‘Second Freedom Struggle’ of India will hope to free the country from the shackles of corruption. Will that day come....?