Anna breaks fast with coconut water and honey and says that the struggle will continue

By Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

New Delhi, 28 August 2011:  After 13 days of fast to pressurise the Parliament to accept his three basic demands to be included in the proposed Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare, the relentless crusader against corruption and the need to a strong Lokpal Act, ended his fast at 10.20 am on Sunday, August 2011 by accepting coconut water mixed with honey which he accepted from the hands of few children seated with him on the dais to the tumultuous applause of thousands of his supporters at the Ramlila Maidan and in other parts of India including his native village Ralegaon Siddhi.

 

NDTV Picture

 

Prior to breaking his fast, Team Anna member, Arvind Kejriwal addressing the people gathered in the ground tanked the Parliament for accepting the three basic demands of Anna Hazare through an unanimously passed resolution in both the Houses of the Parliament. He also thanked the people for overwhelmingly supporting the cause of Anna Hazare against corruption. Besides, Kejriwal expressed gratitude to the volunteers, Delhi Municipal Corporation, police, donors for providing free food, media, doctors monitoring the health of Anna and scores of others who enabled to the successful conclusion of the unprecedented protest that ultimately forced the Parliament to accept the demands of the Civil Society. He also administered a pledge to the people that they would not accept and give bribe.

 

(TV Pictures)

 

After ending the fast, Anna Hazare addressing the people thanked the people for supporting the cause for which he had been fighting for the eradication of corruption which is in the interest of the nation. He said that the victory was not his but that of the people of India.  He pointed out that India has shown to the world how non-violent protest against any powerful government can be conducted for a noble cause. Further he said that the movement has shown that it is the people who are supreme in a democracy. He also said that the movement has created a hope that if people wish they can create a corruption-free India. He said that his end of fast is not the end but the beginning of further struggle. He said that by ending the 13 day old fast he has only adjourned it. He laid down the roadmap of reforms that are required in this country in order to strengthen democracy including electoral reforms and decentralisation of power till the village level. 

 

 

Thereafter Anna Hazare was taken to a hospital in Gurgaon for recuperation as his health has been deteriorating ddue to a long period of fasting. He may be in the hospital for at least three days where his health condition will be monitored.

 

Since early morning of Sunday, August 28, 2011, hundreds of supporters converged  at the historic Ram Lila Maidan in New Delhi, where anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare was expected to break his 13 day-long fast at 10am. After 13 days that had India on the edge, Anna Hazare was poised to end his fast, capping a day of highs and lows that saw a historic Parliament debate a possible anti-corruption legislation that ended with the broad acceptance of thee key demands of the social reformer.