Anna Hazare Cautions Delhi to Pass Lokpal Bill or Face Agitation (With Video)

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare last week (August 21) threatened the Indian government with another 

agitation if a Lokpal bill does not materialize in the current session of the Indian Parliament.

Addressing a private gathering of Indian Americans, Hazare spoke about his fight for a Jan Lokpal Bill (a supervisory authority to check corruption). He accused the government of cheating, noting that at the end of his 13 days of fasting, the Indian Parliament had a post-midnight emergency session and passed a resolution accepting his demand of a Jan Lokpal Bill, yet did not follow through with the anti-corruption legislation.

"Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) gave me in writing and told me to finish my fasting as the resolution had passed the parliament. I believed them and broke my fast but there is no Lokpal bill yet. This was cheating," said Hazare.

Hazare cautioned the Indian government that he would return to agitation at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on the first day of the winter session of the Parliament, if the Union Government does not bring the Lokpal bill in the current session.

Padma Bhushan laureate Hazare told his admirers at a private dinner event arranged by Om Sharma and Bhagyawati Sharma in Glenn Dale, Maryland, that he started planning, at the age of 25, his life path to serve society. Concerned that he would become obligated with household chores if he got married, he remained a bachelor and decided to dedicate his life to the service of the nation and society.

"I believed that my life should be dedicated to the service of the society, the nation and that strength was given to me by God," Hazare told the audience.

Giving his age as 75, Hazare stated that he had not allowed any blemishes to appear on his character throughout his life, adding, "This is why I am fighting with big mafia."

"I have nothing, I live in a temple, sleep on a simple bed, eat from a plate and do not have a bank balance," said Hazare humbly, but proudly announced that he was responsible for the resignation of six cabinet ministers and more than four hundred officers accused of corruption charges. Anna, as he is fondly addressed by his supporters, stressed, however, that he was only an instrument and all the work is being guided by God.

At the home of the soft-spoken Om Sharma, the team accompanying the humble leader failed to live up to his standards, exhibiting unprofessional behavior, which was evident as attendees expressed their anger on social media.

Sambhu N. Banik, a doyen of the Indian American community, wrote on his Facebook page, "It was very unfortunate that some of the handlers who brought Anna Hazare in USA were themselves behaved like violent persons (goons) intimidating the assembled guests who came to meet Anna Hazare. I hope that these handlers do not ruin the reputation of Anna Hazare."

Banik, however, praised the host Sharma family and said about Hazare that he was "very inspired by his simplicity, his stand against the powerful "goonda dominated" politicians, his strong belief in his goal in ending corruption in India, as well as his strong faith in God, the Almighty."

Hazare announced that after returning from the US, he would resume his nationwide tour, which has already taken him to more than half a dozen Indian states, covering 28,000 kilometers, during which he has urged people to fight to achieve the goal of true democracy.

springhead:

http://www.indiaamericatoday.com/article/anna-hazare-cautions-delhi-pass-lokpal-bill-or-face-agitation-video