Hazare: Wake up and demand accountability

Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare yesterday began his three-day fast at Mumbai's MMRDA grounds in suburban Bandra where he told thousands of supporters that his next step would be to go to the election-bound states on an anti-government campaign if the Lokpal Bill was not a strong one. Accusing the government of "cheating the people" by bringing in a weak Lokpal Bill — an ombudsman's bill — the 74-year-old warned the government that "one day the people would teach them a lesson". "I have resolved to fight until the very end for Lokpal. I would love to die for the country," said Hazare who is adamant about continuing with his fast despite his prominent supporters Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi appealing against it due to his ill-health. "He has fever, let us request him to stop his fast. Anna can continue his dharna [sit in]," Bedi said, addressing the crowds earlier. While his supporters responded with a loud "Yes" to Bedi's request, the social activist, looking quite under the weather, waved his hand in a gesture of "No". Life dedicated to nation He then said: "I don't fear death. My life is dedicated to the society and nation." It is time everyone fought against graft and made sacrifices, he said and cited and his own example, adding that he did not get married so as to serve the nation. He urged the youth to fight for India's second independence and quoted a popular Bollywood number: "Dil diya hai, jaan bhi denge, aye watan, tere liye [My heart I have given to you, I will give my life to you as well, my nation]." He also revealed the tasks before him in the future: not only to campaign in five states where elections are to be held in March 2012 but also to campaign for the Right to Reject so as to rid politics of criminals. "Goondas [goons] and criminals are entering politics now. We have to fight for electoral reforms to prevent this," Hazare said. The two houses of Parliament are like "temples" and only clean people must enter these institutions, he added. Even as India's parliament held a fierce debate over the Lokpal Bill, Hazare said the elected representatives in New Delhi would have to listen to the voice of the people. "Jan [people's] parliament is bigger than the parliament in Delhi," he said and reminded people that they are the true "owners" of the country "who have slept for too long". They now need to wake up and demand accountability from various public servants.