New Delhi: Aged and Magsaysay awardee Anna Hazare in his 80s is undertaking a fast into death on Tuesday, on reaching Rajghat (Gandhi memorial)  to demand a strongly worded Anti Corruption Bill that involved civil society, in its formulation to stamp out graft in India.
Hazare with his faithful companions has reached Rajghat before noon. He is expected to make a march from India Gate to Jantar Mantar on pParliament Street, where Anna Saheb will commence the indefinite fast as a sacrifice. Arvind Kejriwal (a Right to Information activist) and retired top cop Kiran Bedi are with him, apart from many others.
Hazare criticised the PM for the present shape in which Lokpal Bill has been drafted. He demanded a minimum jail sentence of 5 years and a maximum life penalty of 14 years R.I, for corruption-dealers. He has asked for an alternate Jan Lokpal bill in place of what is brought up.
Hazare said his life was dedicated to the nation, so he did not flinch on losing his life. He had no regrets, he told Pressmen earlier.
Hazare’s Jan Lokpal bill seeks ombudsmen (Lokpal for India and Lokayukta in states). But they are independent of Govt’s control, so as to stop corruption in public life in the bud.
Investigations should be completed within an year, under Hazare’s version. The Govt. bill has watered down the punishments for crimes against the society in economic matters, as the offenders are largely rich persons, Hazare accused.
Hazare’s supporters are all over Rajghat, India Gate and Jantar Mantar, to stage the protest march and hear him in the rally today.
Indian PM on Monday expressed deep disappointment over Annasaheb’s decision to go on a long fast. PM claimed that he had great respect for Hazare and his mission (against corruption). He threw up his hands , however.