Lokpal: Anna Hazare starts day-long fast

New Delhi: Anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare today started his day-long token fast at Jantar Mantar against the Parliamentary Standing Committee report on Lokpal Bill.
Earlier in the morning, Hazare reached at Rajghat to pay tributes to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. The 74-year-old social activist stayed at Rajghat
for about 30 minutes and reached at Jantar Mantar around 1015 hrs.”Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Vande Matram, Inqalab Jindabad,” Hazare said after reaching at the fast site. Team Anna members Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia will also sit on the fast along with the Gandhian. Key Team Anna member Kiran Bedi and Kumar Biswas were also present at Jantar Mantar where hundreds of people, carrying Tricolour and banners, have gathered to support Hazare in the anti-corruption movement. The Delhi Police have tightened the security at Jantar Mantar where several leaders from different political parties including BJP’s Arun Jaitley, JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat and others will participate in an open debate on Lokpal Bill later in the day. However, the Congress has refused to attend the debate.The Congress has slammed Hazare for “pressurising” Parliament on Lokpal issue and the party said there was no use of participating in such debate. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also convened an all-party meet on December 14 to discuss the Lokpal Bill. However, Hazare has said his “second freedom movement”will continue till an effective Lokpal Bill was passed. He has appealed to the people to observe fast today across the nation. Hazare has announced that he will start an indefinite hunger strike from December 27 at the Ramlila Maidan, if the Congress-led UPA government fails to pass an effective Lokpal Bill in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. Hardening his stand against the government, Hazare has alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was influencing the Standing Committee report and that the government has betrayed the people of the country.