Showing posts with label anna hazare arrested. Show all posts

Friday, September 2, 2011

IB harassing my kin, not violated any rule: Arvind Kejriwal

Anna Hazare's aide Arvind Kejriwal, who has been issued an Income Tax notice to pay Rs 9 lakh as dues during his service in the government till 2006, on Friday said he had not violated any rules and the official claims were baseless.

"I have not violated any rule. In 2006, when I had resigned from the service, I had written to the government to deduct my dues from my general provident fund (GPF)," Kejriwal told reporters.

However, the government did not deduct the dues and instead served him a notice after four years and just before Hazare began his fast for a stronger Lokpal Bill, he said.

Kejriwal alleged that his uncle and other relatives in Siwani in Haryana were probed and harassed by officials of the Intelligence Bureau and other agencies. Officials were asking people to give information about any irregularity by him or relatives, he added.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

End fast, will debate Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament: PM's offer

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saluted the idealism of fasting social activist Anna Hazare in a televised speech to Parliament on Thursday in which he urged him to end his hunger strike. Standing committee will consider all options including Jan Lokpal Bill, he said. "He has become the embodiment of our people's disgust and concern about tackling corruption," Singh said of the ailing 74-year-old, whose populist campaign has put intense pressure on the government.

"I respect his idealism. I respect him as an individual... I applaud him. I salute him."

But Singh asked all MPs to unite in requesting Hazare to halt his fast for stronger anti-corruption legislation.

"He has made his point," the prime minister said. "His life is much too precious."

Singh's public and emotional appeal came as talks between Hazare's aides and the government appeared deadlocked, and amid mounting concerns over the campaigner's health as he entered the tenth day of his fast.

Read More >> Anna Hazare

Saturday, August 20, 2011

In pictures: Anna's journey from Tihar Jail to Ramlila Maidan

Civil society activist Anna Hazare said on Friday that he would not leave the Ramlila ground till the demand for a stronger anti-corruption Lokpal bill was met.

"We will not leave this place till the (stronger) Lokpal bill is passed," Hazare told crowds soon after reaching Ramlila ground in central Delhi where he will continue his fast.

Calling upon the youth to be the flag bearers of change, Hazare said they should carry forward the torch of revolution even if he were not there.

"The power of youth is the power of the nation, whether or not Anna Hazare is there or not. This torch of revolution should always remain lit," he said.

The activist reached the Ramlila ground around 2 p.m., after visiting Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat and India Gate. .

We bring to you latest pictures of the historic movement that has swept across the city and the nation and continues to grow unabated.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Anna leaves Tihar, moves towards Ramlila

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare came out of Tihar Jail on Friday (August 19) to launch a fortnight-long protest demanding a strong Lokpal bill declaring that the fight against graft will continue whether he was "alive or not".
Looking fit on his fourth day of fast, the 74-year old Gandhian came out of the jail premises and made a brief address to the waiting supporters that the "second freedom struggle" has started.
"We got freedom in 1947. Now the second freedom struggle has begun on August 16. A revolution has started. The fight against corruption will continue whether I am alive or not," he said as the hundreds of supporters waiting for him since early morning cheered and clapped.
Escorted by police officials, Hazare came out and mounted a small podium erected just outside one of the gates of the prison that was his home for over 67 hours. He had refused to come out of the jail on Tuesday despite government ordering his unconditional release after his arrest in the morning to foil his indefinite hunger strike.
In the short speech, he declared that his campaign was aimed at making the country corruption-free.
Before getting on to a mini-truck heading a procession for a short distance, he appealed to his supporters not to indulge in violence or damage public property.
Flanked by his aides Arvind Kejriwal and Suresh Pathare, the Gandhian also invited them to join his protest that he would begin from the historic Ramlila grounds.
Greeted by rains, the procession made a slow progress as Anna waved to his supporters on his way towards Rajghat where he will pay obeisance to Mahatma Gandhi before proceeding to Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate. From there he will go to Ramlila ground, the protest venue.
After two days of hard negotiations, the stand-off between the Gandhian and the government ended early yesterday with the two sides agreeing that Hazare will undertake a fast for 15 days at the Ramlila Ground subject to certain conditions.
Hazare got from Delhi Police the spacious Ramlila Ground for his fast instead of the smaller J P Park.
Significantly, Team Hazare made it clear that his fast would not be a fast-unto-death and he will be on hunger strike only till his health permits.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Anna Hazare Arrested : Latest updates and news on Anna Hazare

Update 29 18 August 2011: Largest ever gathering at India Gate to support Anna Hazare.

Update 28 18 August 2011: Thousands gather at India Gate against Anna’s arrest. Sources: All six of Anna’s conditions have been accepted by the police. No limit on people to be allowed inside Ramlila Maidan. Delhi Police: Team Anna isn’t settling for anything less than a month. But we are reserving the right to intervene ifAnna’s health fails.

Update 27 18 August 2011: Anna’s close aide Manish Sisodia addressing protesters outside Tihar. Annaadamant to continue his fast. Team Anna says they have agreed to Ramlila Maidan as a venue. Sisodia:Police are allowing 5 days, we have asked for a month. Shift in venue okay only if allowed to fast for a month. Team Anna says police conditions on time limit are unacceptable. All other conditions are acceptable to us.

Update 26 18 August 2011: Sources: Team Anna seems to have rejected the option for Ramlila Maidan.Anna’s message: Come and support the fight at India Gate at 4 pm today.

Update 25 18 August 2011: Medha Patkar & Prashant Bhushan come out of the Tihar after meeting Anna.Anna Hazare sends out message, asks protesters to maintain peace & calm. Anna Hazare: Talks with Delhi Police are in final stage. Team Anna: We’ll march from India Gate to Jantar Mantar at 4 pm today. Anna will continue fasting inside or outside jail.

Update 25 17 August 2011: Sources: Anna given 2 options. One option given to Anna is to fast for 7 days at JP park. Second option given to Anna is to move venue to Ramlila Maidan for 15 days. Sources: Anna likely to agree to fasting at Ramlila Maidan.

Update 24 17 August 2011: Baba Ramdev reaches Tihar Jail to meet Anna Hazare. Speculations that Anna to come out as soon as Baba Ramdev reaches Tihar. Sri Sri Ravishankar also expected to reach Tihar Jail shortly to meet Anna. Supreme court lawyers march to Parliament protesting Anna’s arrest. Around 70 lawyers march from Supreme court to India Gate. Lawyers protest Anna’s arrest, says grounds of detention invalid.

Update 23 17 August 2011: Govt. Sources: Negotiations withTeam Anna still on. According to sources Govt. offer of giving 7 days to Anna at JP Park for fast. The meeting between Team Anna is still going on inside Tihar Jail. Thousands of supporters gathered outside the Tihar Jail demanding for the permission of unconditional fast for Anna Hazare.

Update 22 17 August 2011: Team Anna is now inside the Tihar jail including Parshant Bhushan, Kiran Bedi and Swami Agnivesh. Anna can come out of the jail any moment now.

Update 21 17 August 2011: Sources: Anna Hazare to leave tihar soon. Anna Hazare’s demands might have been considered. No real details emerging of whether compromise has been reached or not. Movement outside gate no. 4 of Tihar jail leads speculation of Anna leaving jail. Since last night Anna has refused to move out of jail despite release order.

Update 20 17 August 2011: Anna Hazare can come out of Tihar Jail any moment now. Anna likely to go JP park for fast.

Update 19 17 August 2011: Baba Ramdev demands unconditional release of Anna Hazare. Ramdev seeks intervention of president Pratibha Patil. BJP tears into PM. Jaitley: Release every protester who was agitating peacefully. Susham Sawraj: The nation will not buy PM’s argument put forth in Parliament. PM’s long statement clarifies less and hides mor said Susham.

Update 18 17 August 2011: Mass protests outside the Tihar Jail, Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi. You can joinAnna’s fast at the following locations: Azad Maidan – Mumbai, Freedom Park – Banglore, LB Road – Chennai, Indira Park – Hyderabad, Salt Lake City – Kolkata, Vastrapur – Ahmedabad, Sector 25 – Chandigarh

Update 17 17 August 2011: Anna Hazare is still on the fast from Tihar jail. Prime minister Manmohan Singh makes statement on Anna’s arrest in Lok Sabha. PM: Anna Hazare & his young supporters want Jan Lokpal version. Notwithstanding the tabling of bill, Anna wants his version passed. On Aug 15th, Team Anna rejected 6 of Delhi Police’s conditions. PM: Delhi Police was compelled to say o to Anna’s fast at JP park. Delhi Police left with no option after Anna declared he would fast, said PM. On Aug 15th Anna publicly said he would defy sec 144, Anna Hazare & his team members refused to sign undertaking. PM: All those who were detained by Delhi Police have been released. PM indicates Anna unlikely to get permission for fast for failure to sign understanding. PM said Anna has to agree to conditions in order to be allowed to fast. He also said that Govt seeks no confrontation with Anna or his team members. PM is now making the same statement in Rajya Sabha.

Update 16 16 August 2011: Anna aide Manish Sisodia released from Tihar Jail. Sisodia: Anna won’t come out till given go ahead for fast. Anna wants unconditional permission for fast at JP park. Anna given 2 options : Fast for 3 days or go back to your village. Anna Hazare defiant, refuses to accept either option.

Update 15 16 August 2011: Anna Hazare refuses to come out of jail. Anna says he fears being arrested again.Anna refuses to leave jail until allowed to fast at JP park.

Update 14 16 August 2011: Congress Sources: Rahul diapproved of Anna arrest in meet with PM. Decision to free taken at Rahul-PM meet this evening. Sources: Anna Hazare may be sent out of Delhi after his release. Anna Hazare may be sent to Ralegan sidhi. According to Delhi police sources, Anna may be flown to Pune in a special plane. Kiran Bedi: It was a wrong decision to arrest Anna, he will continue his fast after release.

Update 13 16 August 2011: Anna Hazare to be released tonight from Tihar Jail. Delhi Police send release warrant to Tihar Jail for Anna’s release. Anna had earlier been remanded for 7 days judicial custody. AnnaHazare’s supporters in Tihar will also be released. Anna Hazare will be released from Tihar at 9:15 PM from the gate no. 1 of the jail.

Update 12 16 August 2011: Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan has been released from the detention.

Update 11 16 August 2011: Anna Hazare sent to 7 day judicial custody in Tihar jail after he refuses the bail. Anna aides Darshak, Dada Phatare, Suresh Phatare are also in custody. Protests in almost every city of the country after Anna’s arrest as FREE ANNA becomes the chorus.

Update 10 16 August 2011: Anna Hazare is at the Rajouri Garden police station, Delhi.

Update 9 16 August 2011: Govt. holds news conference on Anna issue, defends action. Home minister P. Chidambram says arresting team Anna was a painful duty. Home Min: Took the decision keeping in mind precedence, law & order. Team Anna refused to accept conditions, so denied permission. Home Min: Team Anna refused 6 conditions of Delhi Police. Team Anna defied prohibitory orders set by Delhi Police. They are free to challenge decision in court. Kapil Sibal says every right comes with certain restrictions. Not fair to say that they won’t abide by restrictions. Sibal said, “Protests can’t be allowed without reasonable conditions. Govt. attacks Team Anna, says protests must follow certain restrictions. Ambika Soni: Team Anna must not fool the country. We all are against corruption. Chidambaram says, “I don’t know where police is holding Anna. 1000 people detained at Chhatrasal Stadium.” Kapil Sibal: Who is financing Team Anna? Surprising how well Team Anna is being advertised.

Update 8 16 August 2011: Govt. to hold news conference at 1:30 on Anna issue. Number taken in custody in Chhatrasal Stadium rises to 400. Spontangeous protests across India against crackdown on Team Anna, reports of protest coming in from smaller cities across the country. Protests begin in Ranchi, Chandigarh, Bhopal & Vadodra. Support has grown across the world for Anna Hazare ‘s movement.

Update 7 16 August 2011: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar lashes out at center government, says, “Detention of Annais murder of democracy and rehearsal of ‘Emergency’. Sushma Sawraj: Like Baba Ramdev, the same treatment is being meted to Anna Hazare. “We want PM’s statement in house, Home Minister’s comments unacceptable”, she added. She also said, “For the first time parliamentary minister has defied Lok Sabha Speaker. On the other hand, Anna Hazare’s supporters has jammed NH-1 in protest against arrest.

Update 6 16 August 2011: Team Anna to move Supreme Court says, “We will file a petition against Sec 144 and Team Anna’s arrest in SC.

Update 5 16 August 2011: Pranab Mukherjee: Opposition didn’t allow govt to make statement in parliament. “Everyone has right to protest, but there is a method”, says Pranab.

Update 4 16 August 2011: Social activist Kiran Bedi says she has refused to be given bail. Kiran Bedi says she has been taken into custody for violating Sec 144. She said, “It’s a matter of time before she is sent to Tihar Jail.

Update 3 16 August 2011: Parliament rocked by Anna issue as BJP moves adjournment emotions. United opposition wants govt to respond on Team Anna’s arrest. BJP, SP, Left side with Team Anna, Says Govt’s behavior is dictatorial. BJP asks for PM’s response in Parl on Team Anna’s arrest. BJP says Home Minister’s offer of a response is unacceptable. BJP has moved for adjournment of Questions Hour to discuss Annaissue. Rahul Gandhi, Pranab Mukherjee and P. Chidambaram meeting inside Parliament. Sources says meeting to decide strategy on Anna issue.

Update 2 16 August 2011: Anna & Arvind Kejriwal moved out of Civil Lines enclosure & taken to Chhatrasal Stadium. Anna began his fast soon after being detained by Delhi police. Those with Anna Hazare says Annastopped drinking water as well.

Update 1 16 August 2011: Anna says movement against corruption must go on. Anna asks protesters to reach nearest venue and protest peacefully. Anna asks supporters to court arrest in nationwide ‘jail-bharo’.

Anna Hazare has been taken under preventive arrest by Delhi police. He has been arrested ahead of his proposed fast against corruption in India and against the Govt proposed anti corruption Lokpal Bill. Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi & Manish Sisodia have been also arrested along with Anna under the section 107/51.

Anna-Hazare-detained

Anna and his team was already aware of the fact that they could be arrested. Thats why they recorded a message of Anna before his prevntive custody. Here is the video where Anna giving message to his supporters.
Protests have been organised in all over india including Lucknow, Banglore, Mumbai, Hyedrabad, Ahemdabad & Chennai against the arrest of Anna Hazare.

Please leave your views and opinions on the arrest of Anna Hazare. We’ll keep you updated with the latesthappenings on this issue.

If Tetris has taught me anything, it is that errors pile up and accomplishments disappear.

Anna Hazare's fast misleading, Delhi Police had no option: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday addressed the Lok Sabha and justified the police crackdown on the anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare.
"It's my painful duty to report to this house certain events that took place yesterday in New Delhi. After extensive consultations the government has introduced a bill in Lok Sabha, the bill has been referred to the Standing Committee. Anna Hazare wants his bill should be passed in Parliament. Government has introduced the Lokpal Bill in Parliament. Anna and supporters are persisting with the demand for the Jan Lokpal Bill," Singh said in his opening remark.
Dr Singh said that the path chosen by Anna Hazare to impose his bill is totally misconceived.
"All of us agree that Lokpal Bill should be passed by Parliament. The question is who drafts the law and who passes the law. Hazare wants to impose his Jan Lokpal Bill on Parliament," he added.
The Prime Minister also said, "It is the sole prerogative of Parliament to make laws and government has gone by well-settled principles. Team Anna must allow elected representatives of the people in Parliament to do their job."
Manmohan Singh said that Anna Hazare refused to abide by Delhi Police conditions and questioned the principle of Parliament.
Lokpal Bill should be passed as early as possible, the PM also stressed in his address.
Hazare was offered to go free last night after the Delhi Police issued warrants of release for him and seven of his associates, almost 13 hours after they were detained. However, Hazare made it clear that he would come out of the prison only if he is given permission to stage the indefinite fast at the Jai Prakash Narain Park, the original planned venue for the hunger strike.

Lokpal Bill and the Jan Lokpal Bill

The Jan Lokpal Bill (also referred to as the citizens’ ombudsman bill) is a proposed anti-corruption law in India. It is designed to effectively deter corruption, redress grievances and protect whistle-blowers. If passed and made into law, the bill seeks to create an ombudsman called the Lokpal (translation: protector of the people) – an independent body similar to the Election Commission of India with the power to investigate politicians and bureaucrats without prior government permission.

First introduced in 1969, the bill has failed to become law for nearly over four decades.

SGandhian rights activist Anna Hazare started a Satyagraha movement by commencing a fast unto death in New Delhi to demand the passing of the bill. The movement attracted attention in the media, and thousands of supporters. Following Hazare’s four day hunger strike, the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stated that the bill would be re-introduced in the 2011 monsoon session of the Parliament.

Attempts to draft a compromise bill, merging the Government’s version and that of the civil group’s version (Jan Lokpal), by a committee of five Cabinet Ministers and five social activists failed. The Indian government introduced its own version of the bill in the parliament, which the activists consider to be too weak.

Draft Lokpal Bill (2010)	Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen’s Ombudsman Bill)
Lokpal does not have powers to investigate the prime minister.	Lokpal will have the powers to investigate the prime minister.
Lokpal can only probe complaints approved by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.	Lokpal will have powers to initiate suo moto action or receive complaints of corruption from any citizen if it deems it worthy.
Lokpal will only be an Advisory Body with a role limited to forwarding reports to a “Competent Authority”.	Lokpal will have the power to initiate prosecution of anyone found guilty.
Lokpal will have no police powers and no ability to register a First Information Report or proceed with criminal investigations.	Lokpal will have police powers as well as the ability to register FIRs.
The CBI and Lokpal will be unconnected.	Lokpal and the anti corruption wing of the CBI will be one independent body.
Punishment for corruption will be a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of up to 7 years.	Punishments will be a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of up to life imprisonment.

Law students examine nuances of Jan Lokpal Bill

Law students from various city colleges presented nuanced and articulate views at a debate competition held to analyse the merits and demerits of the Jan Lokpal Bill on Monday in the high court auditorium. The competition was organised by Vidarbha Lady Lawyers Association (VLLA).

Budding lawyers put forth their viewpoints on possible outcomes of the Jan Lokpal Bill. As the Bill drew support of many, the need of another institution to tackle corruption was, on the other hand, dismissed by some.

Pranjali Madnani, a student of GH Raisoni Law School, said, "There is no dearth of anti-corruption acts. The solution lies in effective implementation. There can be amendments to the present law tackling corruption. It is better that we make the best use of what we have."

She added that if the highest executives and judicial officers are included in the purview of Jan Lokpal Bill, there will be 'total anarchy.'

Countering this view was the opinion of some students that existing laws had failed to rein in corruption. "We don't have a single corruption act that has come into force until today. Multitudes have turned in support for the passage of Jan Lokpal Bill. It introduces a foolproof system to make officials from the lowest to the highest grade accountable."

Shyamali Naidu said that the Bill was a revolution and that the government has gone to great lengths to oppose it. "The government does not want to land in soup after being caught red-handed. The establishment of Lokayukta will tackle state-level corruption and will serve as a helping hand to the Supreme Court as probing in every case of CBI is not possible."

Some held that bypassing the whole system was not an effective solution to curb corruption. However, students said the Bill would definitely bring transparency into the system. Rohini Jaiswal said, "If the law for curbing corruption leaves out bureaucrats and higher officials, they would be awarded with immunity against corruption. It will not safeguard anybody if all are not included in its ambit."

Anna Hazare spends night in Tihar jail; UPA in bind, gropes for a face-saver

After Anna Hazare's refusal to walk out, Tihar jail authorities allotted him a room to spend night in the jail, TV channels reported. Anna is continuing his fast in the jail.

The government on Tuesday was at sixes and sevens over Anna Hazare's steely determination to carry on with his indefinite fast despite his unexpected arrest and his equally sudden release in the face of mounting countrywide protests. Anna scornfully rejected his release, saying he would leave Tihar Jail only if the government unconditionally allowed his protest for a stronger Lokpal Bill. In any case, he said, he was fasting in Tihar.

The government's desperate attempt to cut its losses-releasing Anna within 12 hours of his arrest and seven-day judicial remand-failed badly as it was outwitted by the Gandhian and his growing band of supporters, who appeared to be thinking three steps ahead of government managers. Not only was it seen to be eating humble pie after Anna's arrest, it was nowhere close to easing its discomfiture.

Anna's tough stance has put the government in a bind. It can let Hazare stay in Tihar but only at the cost of growing popular resentment: the very same consideration that led to a rethink on his imprisonment. On the other hand, permission to let Hazare launch his fast at J P Park will show up the initial refusal of the site as arbitrary and unreasonable.

The high-risk gamble to check Anna by arresting him appeared to be an ill-thought move. While the government possibly thought that an indefinite fast would lead to a huge problem for it in the days ahead and reckoned action right now would scatter the movement after initial protests, it had not foreseen the extent of support for Anna or the intensity of the anger against it.

In the city, there were spontaneous demonstrations and candlelight protests. A strike of auto-rickshaws has been called in Delhi on Wednesday as a mark of support for Hazare: a sure sign that his camp has now spread beyond the middle class. And everywhere, supporters waved the national flag, lending the movement a rare patriotic fervour.

The spontaneous display of solidarity encouraged those in the Congress with misgivings over government's handling of the Hazare challenge, with sources disclosing that Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi was among those who counselled against a confrontation with the anti-graft agitators banded behind Hazare. There were reports that Rahul had a meeting with the PM in the evening. Earlier, he had held a meeting with senior leaders Pranab Mukherjee, P Chidambaram and Kamal Nath.

Celebrations broke out across the city as news of Hazare's imminent release spread, with crowds raising victory slogans and candles twinkling on a cool evening after a rainy day.

While maintaining that the decision to arrest Hazare was that of Delhi Police (a line that few bought), home minister P Chidambaram had strongly justified the arrest saying that the anti-graft campaigner had committed a cognizable offence by refusing to obey prohibitory orders. The legalistic reasoning failed to impress most people, who saw his arrest as an unacceptable attempt to muzzle democratic protest.

Although both government and Congress kept their distance from Hazare's release, saying it was the decision of Delhi Police, the reversal of course was seen as simultaneously signalling confused thinking in the government as well as its diminishing options in the confrontation with the anti-corruption upsurge. Delhi Police, which works directly under the Union home ministry, has never before displayed the degree of autonomy government vested it with on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Hazare had said that despite being Gandhian, he was not averse to emulating Chhatrapati Shivaji, who exhausted his opponents by harrying them with his guerrilla tactics. His refusal to be released till his conditions were met showed that the veteran campaigner had indeed borrowed tricks from the Maratha warrior king

After the morning crackdown, the remarkable turnaround came late on Tuesday evening as Delhi Police officials confirmed that Hazare and his associates were to be set free. Some 1,500 persons detained through the day were also let off. After having sought to nip the protest in the bud in order to prevent a repeat of the April surrender to the Gandhian, UPA appears to have compounded its woes.

The flip-flop over tackling the Hazare campaign firmly has only eroded the authority of a government buffeted and battered by corruption scandals since mid-2010. It has opened itself to further uncertainty as Team Anna may scent victory and renew its plans for a fast at a public venue. It will also seek the cover of the courts that it will approach on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, senior ministers P Chidambaram and Kapil Sibal were at pains to argue that the government was as keen as Anna to combat corruption but could not agree with his methods. But the legalistic argument about Hazare defying prohibitory orders fell short of a political answer to his demands.

The current situation is even more precarious for the government than in April where a four-day fast brought the government to its knees. In Parliament, BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley said the government was snatching the right to protest while the Congress's political leadership was hiding behind the uniformed force. The CPM said the government had attacked the democratic right to peaceful protest.

Celebrations broke out across the city as news of Hazare's imminent release spread, with crowds raising victory slogans and candles twinkling on a cool evening after a rainy day.

India Mass Arrests 3,000 Supporters Of Arrested Anti-Corruption Crusader Engaged In Peaceful Protests

ndia mass arrests over 3,000 supporters of an anti-corruption crusader, Anna Hazare, who was arrested in Delhi which resulted in an outpouring of anger.

Activist’s arrest in Delhi sparks protests across Maharashtra

Rallies and fasts were held right in almost every part of the state

Supporters of Indian rights activist Anna Hazare shout slogans as they are being detained during a rally in support of Anna Hazare’s fight against corruption, in Mumbai on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Mumbai: The fallout of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare’s arrest in Delhi was an outpouring of anger and indignation across Maharashtra.

Rallies, relay fasts and peaceful protests were held right from his village Ralegan Siddhi to almost every part of the state. Thousands of protesters were also arrested. The government’s action is expected to give a further impetus to the movement against corruption in the following days, say Hazare’s supporters from all walks of life.

In Mumbai alone, over 3,000 people were picked up on the charges of unlawful assembly following demonstrations across the city.

“Approximately, 3,000-4,000 people have been detained and released across Mumbai,” City Commissioner of Police Arup Patnaik said.

In what seemed like a second movement for independence, people in large numbers sang the patriotic song Vande Mataram and shouted slogans “Anna Hazare Hum Tumhare Saath Hai (Anna we are with you) and Corruption Hatao (Eliminate corruption).

Anti-government slogans

Will you fight for 'Corruption Free India'

Residents of Ralegan Siddhi, about 230km from Mumbai, took to the streets to protest against his arrest after hearing the news of his detention. Scores of villagers marched to the local Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus depot and raised slogans against the government.

State police deployed tight security in the village and all the roads leading to it from Pune, Ahmednagar, Aurangabad and Nashik where protests were held and several arrested.

In Nashik, most of the schools were closed yesterday even as protests in Nagpur led to the arrest of 300 people.

Sporting ‘Gandhi’ caps with slogans ‘I am Anna’ supporters gathered at the Reserve Bank of India Square in Civil Lines on the busy Nagpur-Jabalpur national highway. Several women and college students, too, were present at the RBI square.

Detained

In Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, where a huge rally was held by the National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM), 400 protestors were detained whilst an equal number faced arrested in Mumbai Central, apart from people being picked up in Matunga, Golibar slums in Santa Cruz, Navi Mumbai and other places.

Indian Anti-Corruption Activist Anna Hazare Arrested In Widespread Crackdown

India’s leading anti-corruption crusader and more than 1,300 supporters were arrested and jailed on Tuesday as they prepared to launch a national campaign against bribery and graft.

Their Gandhi-inspired campaign was launched amid rising public anger over a series of corruption scandals in which several ministers and senior Congress Party figures have been arrested and the government has lost more than £25 billion in lost revenues.

In the last year the government has been hit by corruption allegations over contracts for Delhi’s Commonwealth Games, the award of mobile telephone operator licences and the construction of an apartment block for the widows of war heroes which were instead allocated to army chiefs and relatives of top politicians.

Anna Hazare, a 74 year old former soldier turned Gandhian activist, was on Tuesday night being held in New Delhi’s notorious Tihar Jail with some of the country’s most feared criminals while his supporters were detained in a local sports stadium.

Their arrests appeared to be part of a government move to halt their protests, which have cast the ruling Congress-led administration as soft on corruption, and check growing pressure for India’s judiciary and prime minister’s office to come under the scrutiny of a new anti-corruption ombudsman.

The move backfired dramatically yesterday when Mr Hazare anticipated his arrest and released a pre-recorded video calling for a Gandhi-inspired “second freedom struggle” for a new system for checking corruption and urged his supporters to “fill the jails” through peaceful protests.

His arrest, along with fellow ‘Lokpal’ campaign leaders, the leading lawyer Shanti Bhushan and India’s former top female police chief Kiran Bedi, provoked anger in the country’s Lok Sabha parliament where MPs demanded an explanation from prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Dr Singh’s Home Minister P. Chidambaram later dismissed objections to the arrests and said the police had detained Mr Hazare and his supporters because they had pledged to defy a ban on a their planned protest yesterday. Anti-corruption protests in New Delhi have been banned as a threat to the peace.

“Anna Hazare’s decision to defy prohibitory orders led police to believe that he could commit a cognisable offence. If someone says he will defy prohibitory orders, it is unacceptable in a democracy,” he said.

His arrest was denounced by his close aide, campaigning lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who said the police action was “totally undemocratic”.

“Time has come to rise up against this government. We appeal to people to protest against the government peacefully,” said Mr Bhushan, whose father was among those arrested as they launched their protest in the heart of the capital New Delhi.

He said the government had banned a mobile phone company from distributing text messages to promote their campaign and compared its actions to those under the 1975 Emergency, in which the late Congress prime minister Indira Gandhi dismissed elections and ruled by decree.

Mr Hazare had been arrested in his home even though he had not broken a police order banning protests in the capital, he said.

“We had given written undertaking to the police that the protest will be completely peaceful … The government’s intentions are akin to the Emergency days. They are trying to choke the voice of common man,” he said.

The clash between the government and Mr Hazare’s supporters came hours after prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh pledged a strong anti-corruption ombudsman in his speech to mark the 64th anniversary of India’s independence on Sunday but said campaigners should now allow the parliament to draft the bill without resorting to mass protests or hunger strikes to influence it.

Police had broken up a similar protest earlier this summer by another anti-corruption leader, the popular Yoga and Hindu spiritual guru Baba Ramdev and his supporters. The United States had earlier warned the Indian government against further restrictions on peaceful democratic protests.

14 organisations call action anti-democratic

Fourteen organisations in the city have extended their support to Anna Hazare's fight against corruption.

Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan Nyas, an organisation against corruption, took out a long march from Pune Municipal Corporation to Balgandharva chowk on Tuesday. "It is a fight against corruption and to save democracy," said president of the organization K D Pawar.

Bhai Vaidya, veteran socialist leader and president of Socialist Party of India, termed the arrest 'anti constitutional' and said that the government has not allowed Hazare to exercise his constitutional right.

Sanjay Khandalkar, general secretary of Janata Party (secular) said that by arresting Hazare the government has killed the Gandhian school of thought.

Santosh Pawar of anti-corruption and oppression committee said that Hazare was arrested after an order by higher authorities of Delhi police it should be condemned. "The authorities should follow the Constitution and not just orders," he said.

Members of Shikshan Hakka Manch staged a dharna near the PMC building. "The government dose not want a strong Lokpal Bill," Matin Mujarvar, president of the manch, said.

Ajit Abhyankar, secretary of Communist Party of India Pune district said that Hazare's arrest was an example of pressure tactics. "Due to the policies such as privatisation and globalisation the corruption in the country has increased. There should be changes to reduce corruption. It will not reduce by arresting people who are protesting peacefully," he said.

Vasudev Sharma of All-India Anti-Corruption Committee has stated that the government did not give proper justice to the civil committee members and it had led to even more anger among the people. "This ditching forced Anna to go on a hunger strike. It would have been avoided if the Jan Lokpal Bill would have been accepted by the central government for discussion," he said.

Organisations such as Hindu Jana Jagruti Samiti commended the arrested and supported the fight against corruption. Pune Lawyers' Action Committee, Vande Mataram Organisation, Yuvak Kranti Dal, Janiv Organisation and Lohegaon residents association also rendered their support.