Villagers of Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district on Thursday joined veteran anti-graft activist Anna Hazare in his indefinite hunger strike over the Centre’s failure to appoint a Lokpal and mitigate agrarian distress.
Speaking in Ralegan Siddhi, 85 km. from here, Mr. Hazare, 81, expressed his determination to carry on his fast till his last breath.
“This [strike] will go on till there is life in my body….if the Narendra Modi government was indeed serious about appointing a Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in States, I would not have had to take recourse to such an agitation,” said Anna Hazare as his agitation entered its second day.
Earlier in the day, citizens of Parner taluk (where Ralegan Siddhi is located) came out in large numbers and took out a rally in Mr. Hazare’s support, while condemning the State and Central governments for their deliberate delay in appointing ombudsmen.
“If this government so desired, it could have appointed the Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in States while taking immediate steps to ensure that farmers received higher prices for their agriculture produce,” said Mr. Hazare.
He further remarked that he had no expectations from the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.
‘Subsidising tax evaders’
“On the one hand, these obscenely rich industrialists are evading tax agencies and fleeing abroad. Yet, this [Modi] government keeps on subsidising them instead of showing sensitivity to the plight of farmers,” he said.
Mr. Hazare claimed truth about the Rafale jet fighter deal would have come out into the open had a Lokpal been in place.
“In reality, the Central and the State governments have tarried so long as they are afraid of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas. Because, all power would pass to people. The PM and the Chief Ministers would be under the scanner once ombudsmen are appointed,” he remarked.
Health concern
Meanwhile, doctors have expressed concern about the activist’s health, noting a spike in Mr. Hazare’s blood sugar levels and a consequent rise in his blood pressure. They have advised close monitoring of his health.
The veteran anti-corruption crusader, however, remained unruffled and said he could pull on with his fast for a week or more.
Last week, Mr. Hazare had warned Mr. Modi of his intention of embarking on a hunger strike on January 30 over the non-implementation of the Lokpal Act and had accused him of “deceiving the people” with false promises of appointing the Lokpal.