Lokpal: Anna Hazare to finalise fasting venue

Veteran anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and his team will meet in New Delhi on Monday to decide the venue for Anna’s indefinite hunger strike from August 16. The Delhi police recently denied permission to Anna to undertake the stir at Jantar Mantar.

“Anna will go ahead with his proposed fast  unto death, starting August 16, within Delhi,” said a member of Team Anna and retired IPS officer, Kiran Bedi.

Hazare had declared his intention of going on a fast unto death following the failure of the Union government to incorporate their suggestion for the proposed Lokpal Bill. The bill that was brought before the cabinet on June 28 turned a blind eye to all major suggestions made by Anna and his team, including bringing the prime minister under the purview of the Lokpal.

Bedi alleged that the Delhi Police was pressurised by the central government to stop Hazare from undertaking the fast at Jantar Mantar. “The Delhi police is fully capable of handling peaceful protests like ours. This denial of permission smacks of political interference,” she said.

“The bill that the Union cabinet has approved could also be revised before it is placed in parliament. So we are not in a hurry to announce the new venue of the stir. Let us see what the government does,” she said.