Anti-graft crusader vowed to stay put at the fast venue until govt passed the Lokpal Bill drafted by civil society.
Anna fever gripped the national capital as thousands of people hit the streets to support Hazare on Friday as he made his way from Tihar Jail to Ramlila Maidan. The Gandhian announced he would not quit the venue till their Jan Lokpal Bill is brought.
“It is up to the government to pass the bill. If the bill is not passed in this (ongoing) session, then I will continue my fast till my last breath,” he told reporters at Ramlila Maidan.
A little before noon, as Hazare came out of the jail, where he spent three nights after being arrested on August 16, he was welcomed by a sea of supporters. The activist got on top of an improvised truck leading a procession of supporters for a short distance. He then headed straight to the Rajghat.
As if to prove a point to those who had doubts about his health condition, the 74-year-old activist made a short dash at the Rajghat, where he paid his respects to Mahatma Gandhi, before proceeded towards Ramlila Maidan where supporters had been pouring in since morning.
“We will not leave this ground till the Jan Lokpal Bill is brought,” Hazare told a cheering crowd that had assembled there braving rains.
Though Hazare and his associates were given unconditional release on August 16 evening, they had refused to come out of the jail. Finally after negotiations, Team Anna was able to extract permission for 15 days protest at Ramlila Maidan.
Hazare said: “I have lost three kgs in three days, but I am getting energy from this movement. The power of youth is the power of a nation.”
He called upon people to continue the struggle even if he is not alive. Amidst huge round of applause, he said: “You can sever my head but you cannot make me bow.”
Later in the evening, Dr Naresh Trehan examined Hazare and said he is in good health.
From the time he left the jail till he reached Ramlila Maidan, Hazare was followed by people waving the Tricolour and raising slogans. It was a rare sight at Rajghat with hundreds of people present, and the police had to form a chain around Hazare to protect him from being jostled by the crowd.
Though the Ramlila Maidan had become muddy due to heavy rains, people didn’t seem bothered by it and continued raising slogans.
Asked about starting negotiations with the government, the Team Anna said they are not approaching the issue as negotiable points and non negotiable points. They said the bill must be strong and tackle corruption effectively and that is a non negotiable.
The activists said they are getting support from several organisations across the country. Besides the agitation at Ramlila Maidan, several protests and candle light marches were held across the city.
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