alok mishra
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Anna Hazare will begin indefinite fast on July 29 despite doctors' advice
New Delhi: Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare, who is 75, will start a lengthy fast on July 29. Anna will join his aides like Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, who are launching an indefinite hunger strike tomorrow to protest against the government."The aim is to campaign for a Lokpal Bill...the government is only giving us assurances, but takes no action," Anna said, referring to the anti-graft legislation that has been his movement's raison d'etre.
The activists' camp will be set up at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
Anna had been advised by doctors and Mr Kejriwal to skip the hunger strike. As a concession to their request, he said he will join the fast on July 29.
The activists are protesting against the government's refusal to launch an inquiry against the Prime Minister and 14 senior cabinet ministers, who they have accused of corruption. Team Anna had written to the Prime Minister in June, asking for an independent inquiry against each of the ministers. The PM declined.
Their allegations of graft against the PM and others have provoked much criticism for being unsubstantiated. Mr Kejriwal has said that he is happy to provide the documents that prove otherwise to an independent commission.
Last year, Anna held four hunger strikes - the lengthiest one in August drew enormous public support- to pressure the government to introduce the Lokpal Bill. The legislation is intended to combat corruption among bureacurats and politicians. It sets up a national ombudsman or Lokpal that will investigate charges of graft. However, the bill which passed the Lok Sabha, did not clear the Rajya Sabha. It is now being studied by a parliamentary committee.
Anna also reiterated charges that ahead of this fast, the government tried to create a rift within his camp. He said that Law Minister Salman Khurshid met him near Pune last month and asked him to keep the meeting confidential. At that session, he said, Mr Khurshid promised that Sonia Gandhi and the PM will look into his concerns.
Anna Hazare will begin indefinite fast on July 29 despite doctors' advice | NDTV.com