Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 5 (IANS) Thousands of people joined veteran social activist Anna Hazare at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi Tuesday as he began his “fast unto death” to press for a stronger anti-graft Lokpal Bill through greater involvement of civil society in its drafting.

Waving Indian flags and placards in support of a more effective anti-corruption law, the supporters gathered at Rajghat memorial to Mahatma Gandhi Tuesday morning, where Hazare paid his homage to the Mahatma before starting the hunger strike. Supporters also thronged India Gate and Jantar Mantar, as the activist finally sat for his fast.

“I am going on a fast because we want representation from civil society in drafting the Lokpal Bill, 50 percent from civil society and 50 percent from government. If government frames the bill without people’s participation, it will not be democracy, it will be bureaucracy,” Hazare told reporters before embarking on his fast at Jantar Mantar.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday expressed “deep disappointment” over Hazare’s decision to go ahead with the planned hunger strike, but said he had enormous respect for the social worker and his mission.

However, Hazare said if the prime minister respected him, he should have met the activists.

“Prime minister says I have faith and respect for you…why didn’t he sit for discussion even for one day with us?” the Magsaysay awardee asked.

Hazare, who had announced an indefinite hunger strike more than a month ago, has been demanding representation from civil society in drafting of the anti-graft Lokpal bill.

Though the activists could not meet the prime minister, their meeting with a committee of ministers constituted to look into the bill failed to resolve the deadlock as the government did not accept their demand for including civil society members in drafting the legislation.

Hazare’s supporters at Jantar Mantar included people from all walks of life, from students to activists and professionals.

“I am here because Anna is risking his life for making the country corruption free,” said Ramesh Rajpal, who came to Jantar Mantar from Gurgaon to support the hunger strike.

Most of the people who joined the rally are also observing fast.

“If we can come on the streets to celebrate the World Cup victory, why can’t we come out to support Anna. It is a struggle to make the country clean,” Delhi University student Srikant Jaiswal said.

Those accompanying Hazare include Right to Information (RTI) activist Arvind Kejriwal and former top cop Kiran Bedi.

Rejecting the Lokpal Bill prepared by the government as a toothless legislation, the activists are demanding that the government adopt the alternative Jan Lokpal Bill drafted by activist Arvind Kejriwal, former Supreme Court judge Santosh Hegde, and senior counsel Prashant Bhushan.

The Jan Lokpal Bill, which has been drafted after widespread consultations among activists and common people all over the country, calls for setting up ombudsmen - Lokpal and Lokayuktas (in states) - independent of the government’s control in order to check corruption in public life.

Activists say investigations by ombudsmen should be completed in one year and there should be a minimum jail term of five years and maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

The government’s version, however, recommends a prison term of a minimum six months and a maximum punishment of seven years for corruption.