Fast may go beyond 15 days: Arvind Kejriwal

Team Anna says duration will depend on the govt's response to the agitation

PTI | August 19, 2011



Team Anna Hazare on Friday said the 15-day fast for a strong Lokpal bill may go beyond the period depending upon the government's response to the agitation.

Hazare's associate and RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal said the 73-year-old Gandhian was actually planning a longer programme for the protest fast but there was a legal problem.

Delhi Police offered 21 days and later the two sides agreed on 15 days but that can be reviewed and the protest can be prolonged depending on what the government does on the demands put forward by Hazare, he said.

Hazare, who began his fast on August 16, has been demanding acceptance by the government of the Jan Lokpal bill that would bring within its ambit the prime minister, higher judiciary and the conduct of MPs within parliament besides other provisions.

Kejriwal said Hazare's health was fine and was not a matter of concern.

Asked if statements coming out that Hazare's fast is indefinite and not a fast unto death was a climbdown, Kejriwal said, "There is no climbdown. Anna Hazare never used the word fast unto death. It is an indefinite fast. Anna used the word indefinite because it is more spiritual. Fast unto death seems a little more in the connotation of blackmail."

He blamed the media for using the word fast unto death.

Replying to a questions about the possibility of certain organisations and individuals supporting the movement becoming violent, he said, "You have seen the movement so far remaining non-violent. This shows the spirituality of the entire movement."

Kejriwal said it is the responsibility of the administration to take precautions so that anti-social elements don't penetrate the movement.

"If at all anything happens, I assure you that its not by the people, it will be by some people who try to create disturbance. Police need to keep a watch on that. We have told everyone that if you see someone doing that, please immediately ask the person to stop," he said.

Talking about the preparations on the ground, Kejriwal said no grand preparations are being planned and things will be set up as the fast goes.

Large number of persons have turned up at the jail to welcome the anti-corruption crusader's release.

Though release orders for Hazare were issued soon after he reached Tihar, the Gandhian refused to come out unless allowed to hold his fast unconditionally.

Later, his team had reached an agreement with the government on Wednesday evening under which Delhi Police had removed all restrictions and allowed him to carry out his hunger strike for a fortnight in the spacious Ramlila Maidan here.

Police personnel have been deployed around the jail and even a helicopter has been pressed into service.

Kiran Bedi said the Delhi Police commissioner has agreed to grant them further extension if asked for.

"There is no ban on number of days. All restrictive conditions have been removed. We have got an open permission to hold peaceful protest," Bedi told reporters outside the jail.

Comments

 

Other News

Monsoon session of parliament adjourns sine die

The Monsoon Session, 2026 of Parliament which commenced on July 20 was adjourned sine die on Thursday. The session provided 19 sittings spread over a period of 25 days.   During the session 11 Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha and 2 Bills were introduced in Rajya Sabha. 12 B

Consumer Justice at a Crossroads

Over the past four decades, India`s consumer protection landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation. What began with the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 as a simple mechanism to empower ordinary citizens has evolved into a comprehensive framework capable of addressing challenges ranging from mislea

Doctors, experts call for ban on junk food ads, mandate warning labels

More than 30 doctors, medical scientists and public health professionals have urged the government to take decisive action against the aggressive advertising and marketing of junk food, calling for a watershed ban on advertisements for foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) and ultra-processed foods (UPF

Asiatic Lion population rises from 523 in 2015 to 891 in 2025

On World Lion Day 2026, environment, forest and climate change Minister  Bhupender Yadav celebrated India’s remarkable journey in lion conservation and reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to protecting wildlife and biodiversity.   In a post on soc

Railways imposed ₹5.13 crore fine for food quality and hygiene violations

Indian Railways serve about 58 crore meals every year on an average. About only 0.0008% food quality related complaints are received on average. Based on complaints during the last three years, appropriate penal actions have been taken by IRCTC. Such actions include imposition of fines amounting to ₹5.13

STHAVAR: Why every Indian built asset needs a permanent digital identity

India has built digital systems for identity, payments, taxation, documents, logistics and public services. State governments, ministries, infrastructure agencies and urban local bodies have also created portals for land records, building permissions, project monitoring, property taxation and municipal s

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter