« Back to article | Print this article |
As Anna Hazare's fast entered its seventh day on Monday, his aides alleged that efforts are being made to disrupt the movement as "certain people" are scared about the massive support enjoyed by the Gandhian.
"Certain people are scared about the huge support for the agitation. There are efforts to disrupt the movement," Hazare's close aide Arvind Kejriwal said while 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 are 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 Lokpal Bill has nothing to deal with corruption and provide succour to the common man from the menace. We want the prime minister to be investigated by an independent body which is the Lokpal," he said.
Kejriwal was the second speaker this morning at Anna ki Paathshala in Ramlila Maidan, as it is called by former IPS officer Kiran Bedi.
"If any judge is involved in corruption, then the seven-member Lokpal bench should be able to file an FIR against him," he said.
"If a MP takes a bribe, he should be investigated by the Lokpal," Kejriwal said, adding, "The government Lokpal will be accountable to the government but the 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 his/her voice against corruption should get protection from the Lokpal.
"No big tenders should be given to companies that have flouted rules. They should be probed by the Lokpal," he said.
Addressing the gathering, Bedi said the Central Bureau of Investigation should be made an independent agency and it should be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal.
"The 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.
The government has initiated a move for back-channel negotiations by roping in Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Umesh Chandra Sarangi and spiritual leader Bhaiyyuji Maharaj. Both held a meeting with Hazare and his team on Sunday.