Anna Hazare calls for sit-in outside Parliament

Agencies

New Delhi, 23 August 2011: Anna Hazare warned the United Progressive Alliance to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill by August 30 or face unprecedented street protests. Addressing his supporters at the Ramlila Maidan on Hazare, whose fast for a strong anti-corruption law entered its eighth day on Tuesday, Hazare exhorted them to assemble in thousands and sit on dharna outside Parliament if the Jan Lokpal Bill is not passed by August 30.

 

"Thousands of people are staging dharna outside the houses of MPs. If Parliament does not come up with a solution by August 30, then we will not sit at Ramlila Maidan but we will sit on dharna in front of Parliament," said the 74-year-old social activist while appealing to the youth to come out in large numbers and join his anti-corruption crusade.

 

Calling all those involved in corruption as traitors, he said that India is yet to achieve true independence despite lakhs of people sacrificing their life during the Independence Movement.

 

 

"I request the people of my country to continue this ’kranti’ (revolution). This revolution should continue even if I am not there. This is the second freedom struggle. It is important to eradicate corruption for the development of our country. I would consider myself lucky if I die for my society and the people of my country. Those who live for themselves die, those who die for the society live," said Hazare.

 

He asked the people to keep on the pressure on the Government as people power is supreme in a democracy. He also appealed his supporters to remain calm and not indulge in hooliganism and violence.

 

"I am sad that some people got drunk and were involved in acts of hooliganism. I appeal to all people to follow ’ahinsa’ (non-violence). I request people not to tarnish this campaign against corruption which has been peaceful. I appeal to those who take liquor to quit liquor and take care of their family and children," he said while referring to incidents of hooliganism near the fast venue.

 

While mentioning that he had lost almost 5.5 kg, he also thanked the team of doctors led by Dr Naresh Trehan would not let him die.