Anna Hazare continues fast (lead)
April 8th, 2011 - 11:27 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, April 8 (IANS) Social activist Anna Hazare announced Friday night that he was continuing with his fast demanding a stringent Lokpal Bill, and said he expected a final government response Saturday.
“Our fast is not over,” Anna Hazare said addressing thousands of frenzied supporters in the heart of the capital, amid speculation that the standoff with the government had ended.
He said he was awaiting the government’s response to suggestions from him that a non-political person should head a panel that would formulate the proposed Lokpal Bill.
“If there are shortcomings in the (government) draft, we won’t break the fast,” he said to thunderous cheers.
While hectic discussions among the activists continued, the supporters prepared to continue their peaceful protest through the night as a band played patriotic songs.
“Desh ko saaf karo, khatam karo bhrashtachar (clean the country, end this corruption),” the people sang as the crowd cheered for Anna Hazare.
Anna Hazare then retired to take rest.
Earlier in the evening, supporters marched from Jantar Mantar to India Gate, banging steel plates as a mark of protest.
“This is our way to make the deaf government hear,” a supporter said.
Police were present in considerable numbers at the spot to manage the swelling crowd.
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- Anna Hazare continues fast - Apr 08, 2011
- Hazare leaves for Delhi to hold token fast - Dec 10, 2011
- Anna threatens another fast in August - Jun 08, 2011
- Parties invited for 'no adjournment debate' on Lokpal bill: Team Anna - Dec 05, 2011
- Anna breaks one-day token fast - Mar 25, 2012
- Anna Hazare figures in Haryana assembly - Aug 19, 2011
- Hazare begins daylong fast - Dec 11, 2011
- Hazare likely to fast at Ramlila ground - Aug 06, 2011
- Tight security planned for Hazare's fast Sunday - Dec 10, 2011
- Thousands march towards Jantar Mantar - Aug 17, 2011
- Anna Hazare calls off fast - Apr 09, 2011
- Team Anna denied permission to hold protest at Jantar Mantar (Lead) - Aug 02, 2011
- Congress terms Anna's fast premature, insult to parliament - Dec 11, 2011
- Police mum on Hazare request for fast - Aug 01, 2011
Tags: activists, anna hazare, cheers, corruption, friday night, government response, india gate, karo, khatam, mantar, New Delhi, patriotic songs, peaceful protest, political person, saaf, shortcomings, social activist, speculation, standoff, steel plates