Anna-hit Congress missing Sonia Gandhi, badly

With the UPA government looking increasingly helpless in the face of the avalanche of anti-corruption protests led by Anna Hazare, the ruling Congress is sorely missing its president Sonia Gandhi and feels she could have made a difference in handling the crisis.
"Of course, the party is missing Sonia Gandhi,” senior Congress leader Janardan Dwivedi told IANS when asked whether the party was missing the leadership skills of Gandhi, who is abroad recuperating from an illness, at the peak of the popular anti-corruption movement led by Hazare.
"Whatever has happened has happened. Now, the situation should be handled more carefully,” Dwivedi said when asked whether Gandhi could have made a difference amid the widespread perception that the agitation was handled in a ham-handed manner by the government.
Dwivedi is among the group of four party members that include Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Ahmed Patil, political secretary to the Congress chief, and Defence Minister AK Antony mandated by Gandhi to run day-to-day affairs of the party during her absence.
Dwivedi, some party insiders said, was voicing a sense of drift that has set in the party since Gandhi left for the US nearly three weeks ago for medical treatment.
"The party has been missing her leadership. Not only the party, the entire nation is missing her," a senior Congress leader, who did not wish to be named, told IANS.
Sources said the doctors will decide early next month whether she can return to India, but she is not expected to resume active public life for some time.
During her absence, the party has been hit by one crisis after another, starting with the tabling of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on suspected irregularities in the Commonwealth Games in the parliament.
The report gave another knock to the image of the government that was already on the defensive over charges of corruption in the allocation of 2G spectrum.
But the lack of leadership became more visible when the government decided to detain Hazare on the morning of August 16, leading to escalating protests and projecting him as an anti-corruption icon.
Hazare was arrested, sent to Tihar Jail and subsequently released on the night of August 16. The decision to release Hazare, say party insiders, was decided after Rahul Gandhi intervened and also persuaded the government to refrain from making personalised attacks against Hazare and his associates.
On the 67th birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party leaders admitted that they were badly missing Sonia Gandhi in the thick of this crisis forced by one of the biggest civil society protests in recent years. “All of us are missing her. We pray to god that she recovers soon and guide us once again," Manmohan Singh said at the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavna Award function Aug 20.

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Anna ready to speak to Rahul, PMO or Chavan

NEW DELHI: On the seventh day of his fast, Anna Hazare said on Monday he would negotiate with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) or Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to break the logjam with the union government on the Lokpal bill.

The IBN Lokmat Marathi news channel quoted him as saying that he would not negotiate with any other mediator, including Home Minister P. Chidambaram or Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal.

According to the channel, the 74-year-old activist added in an interview to IBN Lokmat editor Nikhil Wagle that negotiations could not take place with non-government mediators.

"Hazare said that Lokpal bill negotiations cannot happen with non-government mediators and added that he can talk with the Prime Minister's Office or Rahul. He also added that he was ready to talk with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan," according to the CNN-IBN channel.

In a similar development, Hazare's close aide Kiran Bedi said the activist wanted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to send his representative to hold talks on a stringent legislation that will set up an independent and powerful anti-graft watchdog.

"Anna is saying let the government come forward to discuss the Jan Lokpal bill. Let the PM send his representatives. Any negotiations are rumours," Bedi tweeted on the microblogging site Twitter.

The prime minister in his address in Kolkata earlier in the day said the government was ready for debate on the Lokpal bill.

Hazare, 74, has been on fast since Aug 16 demanding a stronger Lokpal bill in parliament.

The anti-corruption campaigner also told the Marathi news channel that no official mediator has approached him "till now".

"He also said he would not speak to anyone without the presence of his advisers," according to the news channel.

Hazare reiterated his demand that the Lokpal bill introduced by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in parliament should be withdrawn immediately "as it was weak and cannot fight the corruption menace".

He also hinted at some flexibility on the issue of excluding judiciary under the ombudsman, and said this demand could be discussed during the proposed talks.

He, however, added that a proposed Judicial Accountability Bill must be strengthened if judiciary has to be kept out of the Lokpal's jurisdiction.

Hazare ruled out any future possibility of negotiating with non-political mediators like spiritual guru Bhayyuji Maharaj and senior bureaucrat from Maharashtra U.C. Sarangi.

The two were said to be involved in back-channel talks with Hazare but he denied it.

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Will power keeps fasting Hazare in form: Doctors

septuagenarian has lost five kg of weight as his fast continued for the seventh day at Ramlila Maidan in the capital. Hazare drinks only water during his fast. His blood and urine samples are showing up ketone particles, that are created by the body during starvation, and are meant to provide an alternate source of fuel from fatty acids.
"Ketone particles have been traced in his blood and urine. He was 71 kg. After a week of fasting, he has lost five kg of weight; now he weighs 66 kg," Balram Gupta of Medanta Medicity, one of the doctors treating Hazare at the fast venue, told IANS.
"His health is deteriorating but for his age he is strong," said Gupta.
According to health experts, formation of ketone particles is dangerous as it may affect vital organs like kidney and liver. After 60 hours of continuous fasting, any human being body will get dehydrated and blood sugar levels will go down.
"Normally a person is required to take 1.5 litres of water a day for normal functioning of the body. Anna takes around 3 to 4 litres of water. Fasting is not new for Anna who is a follower of Gandhi," said a member of Team Anna.
Meanwhile, Rommel Tickoo, senior consultant (internal medicine) of Max Hospital, said,"It depends on person to person. As per medical literature, anyone who goes on hunger strike can withstand for three weeks, but after that complications creep in.
"Taking Anna's age into consideration, he seems to be strong after a week's fast and his will power is admirable. He seems to be active and fasting for long periods seems to be a practice for this ex-army man. Even people who are much younger can't do this," Tickoo said.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, 40, had broken his fast against corruption after only nine days. His condition worsened after he kept away from solid food for around a week.
Hazare had earlier gone on a one-day fast protesting police brutality against Baba Ramdev's supporters in June and a five-day-long fast in April when the government conceded to his demand on drafting a strong Lokpal Bill.
"Hazare has high cholesterol and we advised him not to go for such frequent fasts as his health could deteriorate. But he is still going on with the strike," Parag Sancheti, a Pune-based doctor who treated him for osteoarthritis, said.
"We advised him to eat at regular intervals and bed rest. It was really surprising to see Anna running in Rajghat after fasting for four days. I am totally amazed by his will power and determination," Sancheti said.
Hazare has been suffering from osteoarthritis and has been under treatment for the last five years.

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Anna Hazare supporters protest outside houses of MPs in UP

Supporters of Anna Hazare outside the house of BJP leader and Ghaziabad MP Rajnath Singh.

Anna Hazare has scored a hit with his call for a dharna outside the residences of elected representatives to force them to support the Jan Lokpal Bill. Political leaders across Uttar Pradesh faced the heat on Sunday.
Over 3,000 people gathered outside the house of Ghaziabad MP and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh.
Rajnath, however, was in Karnataka for a meeting and senior citizens submitted a memorandum to his representatives.
"The common man is unable to have three meals a day because of rising food prices - a result of corruption. The people of his constituency want Rajnath and his party to support the Jan Lokpal Bill," Rajendra Tyagi, general secretary of the anti- corruption body Social Awareness Society, said.
Earlier in the day, the Gandhian had asked a cheering crowd of around 1 lakh people at the Ramlila Maidan to start visiting their elected representatives' residences. "Go to their residences... go sing Raghupati Raghav raja Ram, sabko sanmati de bhagwan," he had said.
Heeding his call, people across UP protested outside their MPs' homes. "If the Congress government does not listen to the people, it will meet the same fate as in 1977," Hindi daily Hind Kranti 's editor Satyendra Yadav said.
In Kanpur, over 1,000 people organised a sit-in in front of Union Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal's house. Similar protests were held outside the houses of Union law minister Salman Khurshid in Farrukhabad and Congress MP Raja Ram Pal in Kanpur. The protesters also sat on dharna in front of the house of Samajwadi Party MP Reoti Raman Singh.
Members of India Against Corruption also turned the heat on P. L. Punia, chief of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, and BJP MP Lalji Tandon.
The protesters convinced RLD MP Sarika Singh Baghel in Hathras to announce her support for Anna.
R. K. Agrawal, a member of India Against Corruption, said: "We will organise sit- ins near the houses of ministers and MPs every day." Sunday was by far the busiest day for Team Anna. Arvind Kejriwal sounded disappointed at the government's response or the lack of it on Anna's sixth day of fast. He said, "We got a proposal from the government but they haven't even agreed to our smallest of suggestions.
There hasn't yet been any meeting ground." By late Sunday, spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and an Indorebased religious leader Bhayuji Maharaj too were seen talking to Anna. Sources said the spiritual guru was trying to bring about a compromise between Team Anna and the government.
Earlier, former Karnataka Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde spoke at the Ramlila Maidan.
"Anna doesn't want to become the PM or President. He simply wants to fight corruption," he said.
Other speakers who addressed the gathering included Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani, the vice-chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband. Team Anna also roped in around a dozen sportspersons, many of them Arjuna awardees, for support.
Prashant Bhushan, lawyer and Team Anna member, said: "The government says if the Prime Minister is investigated for corruption charges, the government will be shaken. But if the Prime Minister is corrupt and not investigated, this will be a great danger to the country's security," he said, adding that though their team was ready to talk to the government, it would not compromise on the core issues.
"Our Jan Lokpal Bill has been amended 13 times. All suggestions have been included," he added. He also demanded that the government bring a strong judicial accountability Bill along with the Lokpal Bill.
Swami Agnivesh, another Team Anna member, said they were open for talks but the government should create an atmosphere for it.
"In order to open a door for dialogue, the government has to create an atmosphere. They have to create an atmosphere of trust by withdrawing the government Bill from Parliament and introduce the Jan Lokpal Bill. This is the least they should do to earn our trust," he said.

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Efforts being made to disrupt Hazare's movement: Arvind Kejriwal

As Anna Hazare's fast entered seventh day today, his Team alleged that efforts are being made to disrupt the movement as "certain people" are scared to see the support for the Gandhian.
"Certain people are scared to see the huge support for the agitation. There are efforts to disrupt the movement," Hazare's close aide Arvind Kejriwal said addressing the gathering at Ramilila Maidan.
He said there may be efforts to trigger violence during the protest and asked people to remain vigilant and inform police about such activities.
"There efforts to break our unity. There may be efforts to create communal tensions. We will have to remain vigilant," Kejriwal said.
Accusing the government of being "sympathetic" to the corrupt, he said the official Lokpal Bill has nothing to effectively deal with graft.
"The government Lokapal Bill has nothing to deal with corruption and provide succour to the common man from the menace. We want PM to be investigated by an independent body which is Lokpal," he said
Kejriwal was the second speaker this morning at 'Anna ki Paathshala' in Ramlila Maidan, as it is called by supercop Kiran Bedi.
"If any judge is involved in corruption then seven-member Lokpal bench should be able to file an FIR against him," he said.
"If an MP takes bribe, he should be investigated by Lokpal," Kejriwal said, adding "government Lokpal will be accountable to government but Jan Lokpal will be accountable to the common man."
Asking supporters to "use your heart and mind before supporting Anna and the Jan Lokpal bill," he said anybody raising voice against corruption should get protection from Lokpal.
"No big tenders should be given to such companies that have flouted rules. They should be probed by Lokpal," he said.
Addressing the gathering, Bedi said CBI should be made an independent agency and should be brought under Lokpal.
"Government does not want the CBI to be an independent agency," she said.
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also joined Hazare at Ramlila Maidan to extend his support to the Gandhian.
As Hazare's fast inched close to 150 hours, hundreds poured into Ramlila Maidan to express solidarity with the 73-year-old Gandhian who began his indefinite fast in police custody on August 16.
Government has initiated move for back-channel negotiations by roping in Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Umesh Chandra Sarangi and spiritual leader Bhaiyyuji Maharaj. Both had a meeting with Hazare and his team yesterday.

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Survey shows overwhelming public support for Anna Hazare

A public opinion poll in the Capital has indicated an overwhelming support for social activist Anna Hazare, with 68 per cent of the respondents saying that his efforts would help in introduction of a strong Lokpal Bill in Parliament.

The survey, conducted by the Delhi-based Shyam Vyas MARC, covered responses from 616 people, mostly college students, in different parts of the city to gauge public expectations, views and perceptions regarding Anna Hazare's movement and government action.

A question whether Anna will finally be able to make a dent and reduce corruption, evoked a mixed response. While 44 per cent of the respondents supported him, 48 per cent were uncertain about the outcome.

However, the respondents agreed unanimously that Anna was receiving massive public support because the common man was fed up with corruption at all levels.

According to the poll, 96 per cent respondents felt that the powerful can get away with anything and the government was breeding a culture of non-accountability, 88 per cent said the government was apathetic to public grievances and 84 per cent expressed frustration over unfulfilled promises by politicians.

In all, 84 per cent respondents said they believed that Anna was getting support because he was perceived as a good human being. A whopping 92 per cent was of the opinion that the Prime Minister should have intervened to prevent Anna's arrest and his being sent to Tihar Central Jail.

“The decision to arrest Anna, according to 88 per cent respondents, was made by senior Ministers, while 12 per cent believed it was the Prime Minister himself who gave the go-ahead. Only 4 per cent believed that Delhi Police took the decision on their own.”

All the respondents questioned the sincerity of the senior Union Ministers who had negotiated with Team Anna, while 92 per cent believed that the international media attention over the entire sequence of events had adversely dented the country's image.

All the respondents knew Anna Hazare and about his initiative to bring a strong Lokpal Bill. They were aware of him having undertaken a fast and having been arrested and put in Tihar Jail.

“A whopping 96 per cent of the respondents stated that they approved of Anna Hazare's initiative. The rest were either uncertain or disapproved of it,” said the survey report.

On the handling of the situation by the Prime Minister and his Ministers, 84 per cent disapproved of it, whereas 16 per cent were uncertain.

“In all, 84 per cent respondents believed that Anna has managed to galvanise public opinion on corruption as never before in recent times. Sixteen per cent were uncertain, while no one was in disagreement.”

A huge 92 per cent of the respondents believed that Anna and his efforts have shown the Central Government in poor light and on the side of the corrupt. Only 8 per cent were uncertain. Eighty per cent believed that the damage to the ruling party and coalition was huge and even the Prime Minister's image had taken a hit.

In all, 88 per cent of respondents were of the opinion that Anna's efforts have given hope to the common man that corruption can be removed.

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Anna's fast enters seventh day, govt initiates talks

NEW DELHI: Activist Anna Hazare had lost five kg of weight as he entered his seventh day of fast for a strong anti-corruption bill on Monday, Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal said.

"Ketone particles have been traced from his blood and urine... He has lost five kg of weight, his health is all right otherwise," Kejriwal told reporters at Ramlila Ground where Anna Hazare is sitting on fast.

Ketones are particles created by the body during starvation, and are meant to provide an alternate source of fuel from fatty acids.

Anna Hazare was detained on August 16 and taken to Tihar Jail, where he remained until Friday when he shifted to Ramlila ground.

The Anna Hazare camp on Sunday stepped up its campaign by demonstrating at the PM's residence and the Gandhian leader delivering a "Lokpal bill lao ya jao (bring Lokpal bill or go)" call.

The campaign's escalation came on a day that saw crowd support for the protests swelling dramatically, with large turnouts at India Gate and Ramlila Maidan.

Efforts to resolve the standoff also got underway, with intermediaries meeting telecom minister Kapil Sibal late on Sunday evening. Veteran Maharashtra bureaucrat U C Sarangi and longtime Hazare associate Bhayyuji Maharaj met the fasting leader for around 20 minutes earlier in the day. They were later closeted with Sibal.

Sarangi and Maharaj had taken a summary of the government's Lokpal bill to Hazare, but the activists dismissed it, saying it did not amount to any new proposals.

After the meeting with Sibal, campaign leaders said discussions were of a general nature and no proposal was conveyed to the government. Bhayyuji Maharaj said the talks were positive and both sides were flexible.

In response to the government's overtures, Team Anna said they were willing to talk and that a negotiator should be appointed by the government. While Arvind Kejriwal said the government should tell them whom to meet and when, Swami Agnivesh added that the government should introduce the Jan Lokpal bill in Parliament to create trust.

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Two likely outcomes of Anna’s movement

The success of anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare’s protests could be both encouraging and ominous. Whether the benefits accruing out of Hazare’s movement will outweigh some inherent risks will be known in the coming days, maybe months.
To the thousands rallying behind him, this is renewal of Gandhism, or the methods and principles of Mohandas Gandhi, and marks the start of a “second freedom movement”.
Let’s look at some likely outcomes of this upsurge.
What may be to be achieved? Freedom from corruption. From self-centred politicians who don’t look beyond their noses. From power-brokers. People will be able to haul up the corrupt the way they deserve to be. From the highest offices to small-fry government servants, everybody will fall in line. All this can be achieved by bringing in the Hazare-backed draft of a bill for a graft-busting ombudsman. There must be a much tougher Lokpal Bill than what is envisioned in a bill cleared by the government.
To critics – and there are many – Hazare is pushing a nation to anarchy by not recognising either his limit or Parliament’s. He is hurtling people down a path of reckless and obstinate agitation that overlooks India’s successful democracy. Hazare’s agitation ignores the fact that the fundamentals of India as a nation-state have not eroded in anyway.
As a consequence, the restive crowds on Delhi’s streets are giving the impression that India is a banana state without strong institutions. Which is simply not true.
Both the above scenarios – of a new freedom and anarchy – cannot be casually dismissed.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could have pre-empted things from coming to such a pass, but all his government managed to do was fumble, bumble and bungle.
If the government is ‘sleeping’ – as is often said in Hindi about someone not aware of the reality – Hazare could be daydreaming. If one were to so sincerely believe that a law — no matter how draconian – could end corruption, this must be a dream, not vision.
Hazare has not clearly defined what his idea of corruption is? If it is illegal amassing of wealth, than his version of the Lokpal Bill aims giving an ombudsman sweeping powers to probe every part of public life. It is about graft-busting, not graft preventing. The latter may require more innovative solutions, like I-T enabled systems to lessen human interface. And, of course, the moral compunction.
Hazare wants an un-elected, politically unaccountable ombudsman with powers of a Superman. But what will happen if the Superman were to turn rogue? There will about 6 lakh junior ombudsmen all over the country. What is the guarantee that they will be holier than thou? In most countries, similar ombudsmen are not only politically accountable but also complement other anti-graft agencies.
On the other hand, what if Hazare phenomenan sets a precedent for similar public mobilisation for demands to change, amend and dictate laws? What if a movement were to dictate our foreign policy or economic agenda?
Hazare seems to have overlooked another critical factor: the current version of the bill could after all be killed by Parliament if it is not found good enough. That will be his victory.
But, on the contrary, what if the current Bill were to be passed? Will Hazare then accept it Parliament’s supreme verdict and move on?

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Bangalore: protests in support of Anna continue

Bangalore: India's IT hub seemed to transform to a different level as scores of anti-corruption crusaders including US students, took centre stage at Freedom Park on Sunday,voicing their support for Anna Hazare.
Eleven American students turned up for rallies and protest marches being held in support of the anti-corruption campaign launched by Anna, whose fast entered the sixth day.
Lending their support, they joined hundreds of national flag-bearing protesters at Freedom Park.

"The Indian government must listen to the demands of the people by passing the Jan Lokpal Bill immediately to curb corruption... Anna Hazare is simply fantastic," they said.
Asked why he came to support Anna Hazare, a student, Robert, replied that corruption has become a global issue and he would take back the idea of non-violent agitation to fight the US government (on issues).
The support for Anna has been increasing day by day. Around 25,000 protesters on Saturday evening converged at the Freedom Park and participated in candle march.
More than 25,000 people are expected to gather at the venue on Sunday.
As many as 35 people, including renowned cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Shetty and popular Kannada comedian Master Hiranaiah, sat on dharna to support the anti-graft crusader's fight against corruption.
Since Sunday morning, students, working class and IT professionals staged protests at the venue. Some others took out rallies on bicycles, demanding an end to corruption.
"The Central Government seems to be without any stand on the matter. Their flip-flop on the issue shows they have been shaken by Anna Hazare's fight against corruption," they said.
Anna's demand to bring the Prime Minister's Office under the ambit of Lokpal is absolutely right, they added.
Meanwhile in Karwar, people staged a protest by immersing themselves in the Arabian Sea for an hour.
In Mysore, a popular rock band - "Rock Band Veda"- performed to the tune of anti-corruption movement to mobilise the mass in support of Anna.

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Not just Anna!

His topi has already become a fashion statement of sorts and it's not just IT professionals, house-wives and students Anna Hazare is inspiring. The anti-corruption icon has a new follower. Singer-actor, Adnan Sami says he wants both India and Pakistan to unite in fighting challenges of terrorism and corruption.
Adnan Sami has planned to join a non-political organization as the All India Secretary-General. "So far I was busy with my work. But I recently met Anna for four hours on the sets of a private channel and was very inspired. He is so clear in his goal in making a change in society and at his age, he is a crusader not for himself but for us and our children! His thoughts and comments on how each one of us can do our bit to create a better India and be a better human being left me in deep thought. I felt I should also do something," said Sami.
Sami added, "It would be an honor for me to be of any service that works for the cause of anti-terrorism. of terrorism and corruption. Anna Hazare has emerged as a leader who has given hope to the lost leadership. It is only when leaders come up in both countries that things will change and relationships will improve. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yousaf Raza Gilani, is a friend. So I thought why not start this initiative in Pakistan as well."
One of his dreams now is to end the chasm between the two neighboring countries. "There is a gap between both the nations. I want to end that. I will meet the Pakistani PM and ask him to take an initiative in trying to improve ties with India," explained Sami.

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Indians in Oz rally in support of Anna Hazare

MELBOURNE: Many Indians in Australia today held rallies in Melbourne and Sydney in support of anti corruption campaign led by social activist Anna Hazare in India.

Shouting slogans against corruption and singing patriotic songs a group of over 70 youths assembled in Melbourne's city to show their support for the anti-corruption campaign.

Feeling strongly about issue of corruption, a young Indian student, Sahil Kansal said "I want to see my country free of corruption that's why I am here."

"Even though we are far away from our motherland, as an Indian it is our responsibility to support this movement against corruption," Kansal said, after a 'support Anna' get together.

The rally was also attended by several Indian students who held banners in support of Hazare.

Neeraj Nanda of Melbourne who runs an ethnic newspaper, commented that the Indian youths around the world today had reached a point of frustration in regards to the corruption and now were showing great enthusiasm to end it.

"The issue of corruption is very important for them and I think that's the reason why they are out on streets and supporting it," he said.

In Sydney also there were group of 30 Indians who got together in Paramatta suburb to hold candle light Vigil to show their support.

A Sydney resident Rohit Revo who attended the rally mentioned how he was moved by a news of an Indian in Sweden who stood alone in front of the consulate office to show his support.

"The news of that Sweden-based Indian provoked me to come out and stand in its support," he said.

Council of Indian Australians president Yadu Singh, another participant of the rally in Sydney, said "while we cant do much sitting in Australia, we can definitely participate in this movement, by writing to Consul Generals of India and High Commissioner of India in Australia.

He further suggested that to end corruption Indian government needs a will power in the system and gave example of Independent Commission Against Corruption in New South Wales that he said was a good example.

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Supporters Respond To Anna, Organise Sit-Ins All Over India

Within minutes of Anna Hazare's appeal to organise sit-ins in front of ministers' houses and MPs residences, the supporters all over the country have organised such dharnas. Even Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh's 7, Race Course Road, was witness to such a protest. Around 80 slogan  shouting protestors were detained on their way to PM's residence. Protestors even protested at Congress headquarters in Delhi. Salman Khurshid, Om Praksh Jaisawal and other MPs, particularly from Congress, were focus of attention as their houses were witness to protest march. Seeing the widespread response to Anna's call, the Delhi-based residence of Kapil Sibal has turned into a fortress as Delhi police has deployed additional forces.
Meanwhile, Congress has mellowed down. Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, said, "Give the Standing Committee a chance. Allow us to do our work. We may collectively surprise all those who are skeptical or cynical".
 
He said the Parliamentary Committee shared people's concerns over corruption.
Singhvi has been maintaining that the panel examining the Lokpal Bill is open to all kinds of views to formulate a strong legislation and has not pre-judged the issue.
A Congress MP has submitted Hazare's Jan Lokpal Bill for consideration before the Committee.

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Supporters throng Ramlila Maidan: 3-tier security for Anna, CRPF called in

New Delhi: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare may have been fasting for past six days for Jan Lokpal Bill, but he has not alone this long drawn battle as villagers from Ralegan Siddhi have camped themselves in Delhi to be at the side of their 'messiah'. Apart from hundreds of policemen deployed at Ramlila Maidan, scores of young volunteers from Ralegan Siddhi are present for Anna's security. Amongst the young volunteers are the two nephews of the Anna who are looking after him well.
Sitting at the elevated platform of Ramlila Maidan, security cordon of Anna is in three levels. The first security ring comprises people of Hazare's village who maintain a strong vigil near the Gandhian, even after he goes to sleep in his rest room. Next, there is a ring of jawans from 'Jai Hind' Sangathan. A chain of 50 jawans is deployed from the main stage thoughout the day. The third level of security is being handled by the police from the stage.
The strength of CRPF jawans at Ramlila Maidan has been increased to manage the crowd. Besides, Delhi police has been present since day 1 of Anna's fast.
In the wake of the sea of crowd at Hazare's fasting site, a Deputy Supritendent of Police (DSP) has also been deployed for the security and well being of the 74-year-old. On Sunday morning, the dog squad reviewed the security arrangements at the Ramlila Maidan.
Anna's routine on the stage
Talking to Dainik Bhaskar about Anna's routine, volunteers from Ralegan Siddhi informed that he has been taking proper sleep so as to avoid weekness during his fast. "Anna begins his day early. However, he has been kept away from 'Yog' following his hunger strike. Unlike his routine at Ralegan, where he used to peform 'Yoga' with the school students, Anna is not practicisng 'Yogasanas'," said Suresh, a volunteer from Anna's village. He also told that it is being ensured that Anna does not take any stress as long as he is fasting.
Support for Anna continues to swell
Sunday morning yet again witnessed a sea of Anna's supporters at the Ramlila Maidan who were present to support the anti-corruption crusader. Filled with enthusiasm, the young and old alike were confident of Anna winning the battle for Jan Lokpal Bill. Here are some excerpts from the ground zero:
Das Gurinder Singh (40) New Delhi: "In my view, this campaign has already been a success. The youngsters, who have been indifferent towards any political issue have been registering their presence to support Anna in this fight for corruption."
Dhananjay Singh (25), Basti (UP): "According to me, we have already won the battle. Anna's campaign has awaken the masses. However, the government is making every possible effort to stall his movement. "
Ish Kumar (70), Loni (Ghaziabad): "One thing is clear that Anna has showed the way to the people of India to fight against corruption, crime and injustice. No problem can be corrected in one go. But we are hopeful that we would head towards success. I belileve that government should also view this movement in a positive way rather than cosidering the campaign against it. "
Sarfarraz Khan (48), Faridabad: "Anna's fast is a peaceful protest against the wrongdoings of the government and so it will be successful. Peaceful agitation never stop. I am sure he will be successful in his movement."
Rajeev Kumar (32): "Anna in real sense is a true leader. Amid the corrupt ministers and officials, Anna like a true leader has shown us the way to fight against corruption."

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Anna supporters protest near PM's residence

to 7 Race Course Road carrying flowers for him, when they were stopped by the police some 200 metres from the prime minister's residence. "We were holding a peaceful march in Hazare's support and to end corruption and were taking flowers for the prime minister, when these policemen asked us not to go ahead. So, we decided to sit near his residence," said Prahlad Pandey, one of the protesters.
Police said that the people have not been detained.
"We have not detained them. They have just been asked not to go ahead," said Satish Sharma, station house officer (SHO) of Chanakyapuri police station, adding that they are, however, free to protest peacefully at the spot.
"This march is not just in Anna's support. It is for us and our children. We want to make our nation corruption free and Jan Lokpal Bill is just a step towards it. Believe it or not, it is a very long fight and we are ready," said a protester.

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Lessons on anti-corruption at 'Anna ki Paathshala'

Anna Hazare's supporters at Ramlila Maidan can learn a thing or two about the Lokpal bill at 'Anna ki Paathshala', as it is called by supercop Kiran Bedi, who has turned into a teacher, informing the public about the issue.
Bedi, who also spoke about what is wrong with the Indian system when it comes to dealing with corruption, added that she would use the large assembly at the Ramlila Maidan to talk about the need for the Lokpal Bill and inform people about what they were fighting for.
While thousands have thronged the grounds in support of Hazare, not all know much about the Lokpal Bill and how the government's version of it differs from that drafted by Team Anna, she said.
"At least now you will know what we are fighting for and when the media asks you, even they will be astonished to know how much you know. You should tell them that you learnt these intricate details at Anna ki Paathshala," she said.
Delivering what she called was her 'first lesson', Bedi said the CBI should be left out of the government ambit.
"The 3,000 people working under anti-corruption wing can work independently," she said.
"I was at recently at Tihar, where normally poor are held and rich are let off, but for the first time four MPs are lodged there," she said.
An atmosphere of festivity is all around Ramlila Maidan.
Hazare is seated at a raised dais, as high as 15-feet, with the public seated at a distance of 60-feet from him.
With the crowd swelling the ranks of Anna supporters, a barricade at the ground broke down today.

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Public support for Hazare will continue: Hegde

Contending that corruption can no longer be ignored and the voice of ‘aam-aadmi’ should now be heard, former Karnataka Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde on Sunday expressed confidence that public support for Anna Hazare and his campaign would continue until his demands are met by the government.

Mr. Hegde, also a member of the Lokpal Joint Drafting Committee, said Mr. Hazare is not asking for the chair of Prime Minister or President but is only fighting against corruption and the need for a strong legislation to deal with the menace.

“We are confident that we will all stand behind Annaji and his cause for any number of days. We stand by him until his demands are met,” the former Supreme Court judge told the large gathering at Ramlila Maidan, the venue of Mr. Hazare’s indefinite on Lokpal issue.

“Our leaders keep talking about people of the country being supreme. But in reality they have become supreme rather than the people. Public servants have become supreme.... Real independence has not reached the ‘aam aadmi’ His voice must be heard,” he said.

Observing that corruption is one of the burning issues, he said, “Annaji doesn’t want the chair of Prime Minister or the chair of President. He is just fighting for the cause of (eradicating) corruption. Can anybody say there is no corruption in the country or can anybody say it can be ignored?” he asked.

Mr. Hegde said the country has been waiting for a Lokpal for the past 42 years when the first bill on Lokpal was introduced in Parliament as no government could get the measure passed.

He said there are many scams other than 2G scam that have not come to light yet. “The CAG has recently released a report on KG basin. God knows how many zeros will be there in that scam,” he said.

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Facebook users' support grows for Anna Hazare

PUNE: The online community has pitched in with support to veteran social activist Anna Hazare in large numbers. On Facebook, the already active Pune chapter of the 'India against corruption' (IAC) page, received angry responses from users after his detention on Tuesday. Several events carried out in support of Hazare are also being pasted on this page while other support pages are requesting users to change their profile pictures to 'black' as a sign of protest.

The IAC page has over three lakh users supporting Hazare including nearly 6,000 users from Pune. The page had a minute-by-minute update on happenings in the city including supporters being arrested along with the pictures of the protest. Faizan Shaikh, one of the users, urged people through Facebook to wear black bands to work on Wednesday to protest Anna's arrest.

An angry Rahul Vitkar, wrote on the page, "Inkalaab zindabad!, Anna Hazare zindabad." Many users showed interest in participating in events planned by the Pune users in support of Hazare.

Several users changed their profile pictures to Anna Hazare's poster which read, 'I support Anna'.

A universal website, www.indiaagainstcorruption.org, has also been created by a few youth to inform all about the Jan Lokpal Bill. While the movement started in April, the 'indiaagainstcorruption' website was set up in February and feedback can be posted on the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Anna went on a fast on April 5, and within a few days, people realised its importance, and the movement gained momentum. When Anna first went on a fast over corruption, a basic Facebook group was started, and it now has more than 2.80 lakh members. Slowly, Chennai, Mumbai, Chhattisgarh, Bangalore, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram started their own groups on 'Facebook'.

Some users demanded the resignation of prime minister Manmohan Singh following Anna Hazare's arrest in the morning. Rohini Mishra, a user on 'Facebook' wrote, "Go ahead Anna, we are with you. Jai hind!" Another user, Rakesh Mishra wrote, "We will fast until you are released. The entire youth is with you." Jashan Joshi said, "Who says Mahatma Gandhi is dead. He is still alive and the world is supporting him."

Besides Anna Hazare, Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal also received support from thousands of users and they urged that Bedi must lead the campaign after Anna's arrest.

On the other hand, Manmohan Singh's 'Facebook' page faced public fury. A separate page saying 'Manmohan Singh please resign' was also created with several users subscribing to it.

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PM defends Anna's arrest, says his path is 'totally misconceived'

Asserting that Parliament was the sole body to frame laws, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said Anna Hazare had sought to impose his version of lokpal bill which was "totally misconceived" and fraught with "grave consequences" for Parliamentary democracy. Making a statement in

both Houses of Parliament in the wake of action against Hazare and his supporters, Singh said the government acknowledges the right of citizens to hold peaceful protests but permission for these is given subject to "appropriate conditions". Amid continued chants of "shame shame" by Opposition benches, he appealed to all political parties to ensure that the government and its processes and Parliament and its processes function smoothly and effectively.
While giving details of the sequence of events that led to civil activist's arrest and subsequent release, Singh said Hazare had been held as a preventive measure because of apprehension of breach of peace.
"Government does not seek any confrontation with any section of the society. But when some sections of society deliberately challenge the authority of government and prerogative of Parliament, it is the bounden duty of the government to maintain peace and tranquility," he asserted after demand by all Opposition parties that nothing short of Prime Minister's statement would satisfy them.
"Hazare may be inspired by high ideals in his campaign to set up a strong and effective lokpal. However, the path that he has chosen to impose his draft of a bill upon Parliament is totally misconceived and fraught with grave consequences for our Parliamentary democracy," he said.
Singh, who spoke in Parliament soon after a Congress Core Group meeting, asserted that it is the sole prerogative of Parliament to make laws and government has gone by well-settled principles.
Insisting that "the issue" between the government and Anna Hazare is "not one of different attitudes to fighting corruption", the Prime Minister said the civil society activists "must allow the elected representatives of the people in Parliament to do the job that they were elected for.
"With respect to the events of yesterday, I will only say that a functional democracy must allow multiple voices to be heard. But differences of opinion must be resolved through dialogue and consensus. Those who believe that their voice and their voice alone represents the will of 1.2 billion people should reflect deeply on that position," he said.
Singh said everyone in Parliament agrees that lokpal bill must be passed as early as possible. "The question is, who drafts the law and who makes the law. I submit that the time-honoured practice is that the Executive drafts a bill and places it before Parliament and that Parliament debates and adopts the bill with amendments if necessary," he said.
"However, I am not aware of any constitutional philosophy or principle that allows any one to question the sole prerogative of Parliament to make a law," he observed.
He said that in making a law on lokpal, the government has "faithfully adhered to well-settled principles" and Hazare "questions these principles and claims a right to impose his Jan Lokpal upon Parliament."

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Crowds swell in Chhattisgarh to support Anna

Raipur, Aug 17 (IANS) Crowds started swelling at protest venues across Chhattisgarh for the second consecutive day Wednesday to support social activist Anna Hazare, fasting at the Tihar Jail in New Delhi.
People from all walks of life and different age groups – students, office-goers, homemakers and farmers – stepped out from their houses to join peace protests to back Hazare, who despite being released has refused to move out of the Tihar Jail in Delhi until he is allowed to carry on his hunger-strike without any conditions.
Increasing number of people were rushing to protest venues in Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Jagdalpur, Ambikapur, besides industrial towns of Korba, Raigarh and Bhilai, according to reports.
About a thousand people gathered at Budha Talab area of state capital Raipur since morning.
‘The Congress-led government at the centre has exceeded all limits by defying Anna… the time has perfectly come now for the people of the country to rally behind Anna to wipe out corruption culture,’ said a supporter Nilesh Vishwakarma.
Housewife Shalini Singh, 45, said: ‘My house is located close to the peace protest venue…so I did not stop myself and joined in protest with great enthusiasm.’
Nearly 80 people courted arrest in various parts of the state Tuesday against Hazare’s arrest.
Hazare was jailed Tuesday ahead of his fast for an effective anti-corruption law. The Delhi Police action led to protests across the country. The government later decided to release him.

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Jan Lokpal Bill: Anna Hazare supporters throng outside Tihar Jail

NEW DELHI: After a night of candlelight vigil and sloganeering, thousands of people gathered outside the Tihar Jail here to support activist Anna Hazare who has declined to move out of the prison until his demands are met.

"The message is loud and clear - the citizens of this country are proving that the country is independent. This is the message from the movement," said social activist Medha Patkar.

Former police officer Kiran Bedi also addressed the people outside the jail.

Government officials, students, commuters and bystanders -- every one was supporting Hazare.

The area was abuzz with people shouting slogans, waving the tricolour and donning caps and clothes that read 'Me Anna Hazare -- India Against Corruption'.

"You can't call it a democracy if a 74-year-old is not allowed to raise his voice against corruption. This is dictatorship," said an enthusiastic Jolly Batra, a resident of Rajouri Garden who has been outside the jail since Tuesday evening.

Patriotic songs were also sung as the crowd spread on to the streets.

Hundreds gathered at the Chhatrasal Stadium in north Delhi.

"This is it. Anna is people's voice and I am not going back until he is released on his own terms," said Amit Pathak, a student who had come all the way from Haryana.

Earlier in the day, Hazare's associate Manish Sisodia came out of the jail and said: "Anna said that I will not go till the issue of location for fast is sorted out."

"If I come out, the same problem will be there again where the fast should take place," Sisodia said quoting Hazare.

People refused to budge from the Jail Road near Tihar in west Delhi throughout Tuesday night in solidarity with Hazare who was jailed ahead of his fast for an effective anti-corruption law.

Hazare was jailed Tuesday. The Delhi Police action led to protests across the country. The government changed its mind later in the evening and released Hazare but he refused to come out until he was allowed to carry on his hunger strike without any conditions.

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