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A group of Gandhians in Delhi will sit on a 'fast unto death' from Sunday, demanding stern government action against corruption. The indefinite hunger strike beginning on the 63rd death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi will see seven Gandhians enlarging their protest canvas from the month-long dharna at Jantar Mantar to another level.
The Gandhians had given a one-month ultimatum to the government to appoint a commission to look into charges against public servants, disqualify candidates with criminal backgrounds and forfeit illegally acquired property of corrupt public servants, including politicians.
"We are going on a hunger strike as the government has failed to take action on our demands. To sacrifice our life will the only thing we are capable of at this age. Therefore, we will fast unto death unless the government concedes to our demands," said Shambhu Dutta, 93, who had taken part in the 1942 Quit India Movement.
A N Khanna, 89, said, "We had never seen such heights of corruption in our entire lifetime... I will die for a noble cause than die a natural death."
For 84-year-old R S Devi, who once dreamt of Swaraj in the Gandhian era and courted arrest during the Quit India Movement, it was a nightmarish experience to fight against her own people.
"Once we dreamt of Swaraj from Britishers. Today we are fighting corruption encouraged by our own people," she said, adding, "I am still hopeful about fighting till my last breath."
Among those fasting include social activist Govind Narain Seth, 78, Murari Lal Gupta, 90, who formerly worked in the defence ministry and K P Sahu, 79, an educationist and a social activist from Orissa.