Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare's fast unto death for a new and comprehensive anti-corruption watchdog law has drawn massive support across the country and pushed the government onto the back foot.
The government was left fumbling for a response on Wednesday as support for the feisty crusader grew. Hundreds held a fast at Mumbai's Azad Maidan, and public meetings across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar came out in open support of Hazare's agitation against graft.
Hazare himself went on the offensive and replied to the Congress's whisper campaign that the RSS was behind his anti-corruption agitation with a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. "It is being alleged that I am instigated by some people to sit on this fast. Dear Manmohan Singh Ji, this is an insult to my sense of wisdom and intelligence. I am not a kid who could be 'instigated' into going on an indefinite fast," the 72-year-old social crusader said.
On the charge that he had been impatient in starting his agitation even though the government had initiated the process of drafting the Lokpal Bill, he wrote, "I would urge you to tell me exactly what processes are underway. You say your Group of Ministers (GoM) is drafting the anti-corruption law. Many members of this GoM have such a shady past that if effective anti-corruption systems had been place, some of them would have been behind bars." Even as support for Hazare built up, the government seemed to be stuck for a response.
Union ministers Kapil Sibal, Ambika Soni and Veerappa Moily spoke in general terms. Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan described the fast as "premature", saying that in a democracy debates should be held before a policy was framed. No direct offer of talks was made to Hazare.
The government and Congress brass, including party chief Sonia Gandhi and the PM, are expected to soon take a view on how to douse the fire ignited by the social activist.
Sonia, away in Kerala for electioneering, was expected to step in to retrieve the situation on her return to the capital on Wednesday night.
Party sources said she was not averse to the demand of setting up a joint committee to draft the anti- corruption Bill.
On the ground, there was little doubt that the Hazare was articulating public anger on corruption.
At Jantar Mantar, where he was holding his fast -- the number of those fasting along with the Gandhian swelled to almost 170 on Wednesday -- this was having its effect. Two politicians - former BJP leader Uma Bharti and Om Prakash Chautala of the Indian National Lok Dal - got a taste of the public mood when they were nearly chased away. Hazare later appealed to his supporters to allow politicians in.
"Chasing people away is against Gandhian principles of peaceful protest. I have appealed to them (politicians) not to come here. But if someone does that, they can sit here. No one can take advantage of the situation," he said.
As the anti-corruption agitation gained ground with state elections already underway, Sharad Pawar, who had been on the group of ministers (GoM) to draft the anti- corruption legislation, quit the ministerial body on Wednesday evening.
That was after Hazare had expressed dismay over the fact that Pawar owned large tracts of land in Maharashtra. Other members of the committee, headed by Pranab Mukherjee are Moily, Sibal, P. Chidambaram, A. K. Antony, Mamata Banerjee, M. K. Alagiri and P. K. Bansal.
The Indian Against Corruption, the organisation behind the protest, maintained that it had been flooded with reports of people across the country skipping a meal or two while some are observing a day's fast as well.
"It is not just about deterioration in Anna's health. The condition of anyone who is on a fast can turn bad. The ball is firmly in government's court. We hope some sense prevails. So far, we haven't heard from the government," said Arvind Kejriwal, the principal organiser of the movement.
The Congress chose not to precipitate matters although, officially, it stuck to stand, saying Hazare should not set any deadline for enacting the law. A working group of the Sonia- headed National Advisory Council (NAC) has agreed with nearly all provisions of the 'Jan Lokpal Bill' drafted by anti-graft activists under the guidance of Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde and senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan.
Congress sources said Sonia was keen to give more teeth to the proposed legislation. Jayanthi Natarajan also hinted at this view in the party. "While many people will not agree on the Bill and have different opinions, the NAC and other forums are already discussing the matter. The far- reaching changes suggested by Hazare need broad discussions before a final draft can be scripted," she said.
Asked if the party considered Hazare an RSS agent, she said," I have not read the reports you are referring to. What I say from this platform is the official point of view." Sibal said the government was open to all possible suggestions.
"We were asked to commit in principle to a joint committee before April 5. We said we need time for wider consultations. This will happen, we are not opposed to any of these issues," he added.
Soni, the information and broadcasting minister, said: "The fact that the PM favoured a GoM shows his credibility. We are ready for talks. The government is serious about fighting corruption." Moily, the law minister, said the government was open to suggestions even though it was "anxious to introduce the bill in the next session". He said the government had not rejected the demand for a joint drafting committee. "We said we were open. We never closed our mind even on the formation of joint committee," Moily added.
Inputs from Pratul Sharma
Indian activist Anna Hazare's fast gathers support
Indian social activist Anna Hazare's "fast unto death" to pressure the government to act on corruption has entered its third day.
The anti-graft campaigner has written a letter to the PM asking him to "show courage" in tackling corruption.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar quit a panel on corruption after Mr Hazare questioned his credentials.
Mr Hazare is refusing all food and drink until the government enacts a comprehensive anti-corruption law.
The government has set up a committee to consider a bill, but Mr Hazare wants civil society included in the process.
India has recently been hit by a series of high-profile corruption scandals.
Last month a survey said corruption in India cost billions of dollars and threatened to derail growth.
The fast by 72-year-old campaigner with a spotlessly-clean image has had a rallying impact on Indians all over the country, a BBC correspondent in Delhi says.
Nearly 200 people, including civil society activists, are fasting with Mr Hazare in the Indian capital, Delhi.
Retired police officer Kiran Bedi, social reformist Swami Agnivesh and former cricketer Kapil Dev have all added their support to Mr Hazare's cause.
"The fast is still on. Mr Hazare is in perfect health," Press Trust of India news agency quoted an aide as saying.
Doctors are checking Mr Hazare twice a day to keep a tab on his health.
'Shady past'
On Wednesday night, his supporters held a candle-light vigil in Delhi while social activists held a "sit-in" demonstration at Mahatma Gandhi statue in Lucknow city.
In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mr Hazare said many of the members of the government's "group of ministers" on corruption "have such a shady past that if effective anti-corruption systems had been in place, some of them would have been behind bars".
Mr Hazare's criticism of Mr Pawar led to the agriculture minister sending his resignation letter to the prime minister.
"I have told the prime minister in writing about quitting the group of ministers on corruption," Mr Pawar told Press Trust of India.
"I have informed him that I don't want to remain anymore with the panel. I don't want to be associated with it. The chapter is closed from my side," he said.
The government has set up a group of ministers, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, to look into the contents of the proposed anti-corruption bill.
But Mr Hazare says this is not enough and wants leading civil society members included in the committee to draft the Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's Ombudsman Bill).
Mr Hazare - who is from the western state of Maharashtra - has based himself at the Jantar Mantar, Delhi's 18th Century observatory, for the duration of his fast.
India has been reeling under a spate of corruption scandals, including a multi-billion dollar telecoms scandal, alleged financial malpractices in connection with the Commonwealth Games and allegations that houses for war widows were diverted to civil servants.
Last month the head of the country's anti-corruption watchdog was forced to resign by the Supreme Court on the grounds that he himself faced corruption charges.
Critics of the government say that recent scandals point to a pervasive culture of corruption in Mr Singh's administration - adding to the difficulties of a politician once seen as India's most honest.
The government denies the claims and has set up a parliamentary inquiry into corruption.
-BBC
Aamir Khan pledges support to Anna Hazare
Film star Aamir Khan Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking him to pay "heed to the voice of Anna Hazare", who has started a fast against corruption.
"I am merely one of many who fully support Hazare, and have come to appreciate that this upright 72-year-old man is willing to sacrifice his life in the fight against corruption," wrote Aamir Khan, in his letter dated April 6, to the prime minister.
He said that his decision to support the campaign came after studying and comparing the drafts of the Lok Pal bill of the government, as well as that of the civil society.
"I would like to humbly submit to you that based on all the material that I have read, what Hazare is saying makes a lot of sense to me," the actor wrote.
Khan described himself as "one of over billion citizens of this country who is affected by and most concerned about corruption".
"The last few months has witnessed some shocking exposes. In fact, our society has been plagued by this sickness over the last many decades. I am one of the many who feel that strong steps need to be taken as corrective measures," he said.
The wildly popular Hindi film actor said while the prime minister may know more about the issue, he had "absolutely no doubt that a man of your level of integrity will take all the strongest corrective measures needed to cleanse our society of this sickness".
"It is therefore with greater hope and all humility that I request you to pay heed to the voice of Anna Hazare," said Khan, pointing out that the nation was "slowly, but surely" collecting around the veteran social activist.
The actor also wrote to Hazare, giving his support to the cause.
"You are an inspiration to the youth of this country and my prayers are with you," he said.
"Like the country has supported the Indian cricket team in their struggle to win the World Cup, I hope and pray that your struggle, which infinitely more important and affects each and every one of us, will get an even greater support," added Aamir.
-NDTV
Aamir Khan pledges support to Anna Hazare
Film star Aamir Khan Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking him to pay "heed to the voice of Anna Hazare", who has started a fast against corruption.
"I am merely one of many who fully support Hazare, and have come to appreciate that this upright 72-year-old man is willing to sacrifice his life in the fight against corruption," wrote Aamir Khan, in his letter dated April 6, to the prime minister.
He said that his decision to support the campaign came after studying and comparing the drafts of the Lok Pal bill of the government, as well as that of the civil society.
"I would like to humbly submit to you that based on all the material that I have read, what Hazare is saying makes a lot of sense to me," the actor wrote.
Khan described himself as "one of over billion citizens of this country who is affected by and most concerned about corruption".
"The last few months has witnessed some shocking exposes. In fact, our society has been plagued by this sickness over the last many decades. I am one of the many who feel that strong steps need to be taken as corrective measures," he said.
The wildly popular Hindi film actor said while the prime minister may know more about the issue, he had "absolutely no doubt that a man of your level of integrity will take all the strongest corrective measures needed to cleanse our society of this sickness".
"It is therefore with greater hope and all humility that I request you to pay heed to the voice of Anna Hazare," said Khan, pointing out that the nation was "slowly, but surely" collecting around the veteran social activist.
The actor also wrote to Hazare, giving his support to the cause.
"You are an inspiration to the youth of this country and my prayers are with you," he said.
"Like the country has supported the Indian cricket team in their struggle to win the World Cup, I hope and pray that your struggle, which infinitely more important and affects each and every one of us, will get an even greater support," added Aamir.
-NDTV
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