Jail Bharo, protest at MPs houses from Jan 1 on Lokpal: Hazare

New Delhi: Giving an ultimatum to the Centre, Gandhian Anna Hazare today said he will sit on a hunger strike from December 27 and a nation-wide ‘Jail Bharo movement’ and protests in front of the houses of MPs will be launched from January 1 next if the government does not pass the Bill in Parliament’s ongoing Winter Session.
“I will sit on a hunger strike from December 27 if the government does not pass an effective Lokpal Bill in the Winter Session,” Hazare told reporters after the two-day meeting of Team Anna’s Core Committee. The 74-year-old social activist said he will wait till December 22 when the Winter Session will conclude and if a “good and effective” Lokpal Bill comes, Team Anna will organise a “thanks giving day” for the government at Ramlila Maidan on December 27. Team Anna will request senior ministers to come to Ramlila Maidan and they will be welcomed by a rose.”But if an effective Lokpal Bill is not passed, I will sit on a hunger strike from December 27. If the weather is good it will be held in Delhi otherwise we will go to Mumbai. But I will sit on hunger strike. And from January 1, Jail Bharo andolan will be launched across the country. The activists will also stage protests in front of houses of MPs of those parties which oppose the bill in Parliament,” he added. The Gandhian further said if there was a need then the Parliament session be extended to pass the anti-corruption bill.He said the Lokpal Bill has been waiting to get passed for the last 42 years. “How long the people should wait for the Bill?” he asked. Hazare also said the Group C and D government employees must be included under the Lokpal ambit and he will not compromise on the issue.”I hope that the Lokpal Bill will be passed in the Winter Session. If there is a need the session should be extended as the Lokpal issue is very important for the nation. Earlier also, Parliament has been extended on several occasions,” Hazare added.