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.
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.
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.
NEW DELHI: A self-styled Gandhian campaigner who has become a symbol of popular outrage over endemic corruption left jail on Friday to carry on his fast after a beleaguered government caved in to huge protests across the country.
After three days in jail, the government has allowed Anna Hazare to stage a 15-day hunger strike. Hazare, who had been arrested earlier in the week and then ordered released, had refused to leave jail until he was allowed to fast publicly.
Hazare's exit was broadcast live as thousands of supporters thronged outside the jail in a deafening roar of celebration.
Just past the gates he addressed the crowd, raising his hand to the air and shouting "Vande Matram" before slowly winding his way in a truck decorated with flags through massive crowds.
Many supporters had been there overnight and some had offered prayers to gods. Others chanted "the whole country is Anna".
A top Hazare aide said he would first go to a Rajghat and later travel to Ramlila Maidan, where supporters were making final preparations for his fast.
"We have not seen this kind of thing in the last 60 years in India," said S.K. Sharma, 48, a company executive CEO, outside the jail as he waited for Hazare. "If this carries on in this way for the next four days, you will see a new changed India."
A fumbling official response has seen the Congress party-led government face one of the most serious protest movements since the 1970s, just the latest setback for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's second term that has paralysed policy making and economic reforms.
A medical team is on standby to monitor Hazare's health as he began his hunger strike in jail and a sharp deterioration could further worsen the crisis for the government, although his supporters say it is not a fast-to-death.
A weak political opposition means that the government should still survive the crisis, but it could further dim the prospect for economic reforms and hurt the Congress party in key state polls in 2012 that will pave the way for a general election in 2014.
The protests across cities, helped spread by social networks, have not only rocked the ruling Congress party, they have sent shockwaves through the political class.
Students, lawyers, teachers, executives and civil servants have taken to streets in cities and remote villages stretching to the southern end of the country.
In Mumbai Dabbawallas were reportedly set to go on strike in sympathy with Hazare.
One Facebook fan page for Hazare has more than 300,000 followers, while the India Against Corruption page on Facebook has more than 370,000 followers where links and messages of support are posted. Several Twitter accounts have been set up by supporters to send out messages of where and when to protest.
Singh, 78, who is widely criticised as out of touch, dismissed the fast by Hazare as "totally misconceived" and undermining the parliamentary democracy.
Hazare, a long-time social activist who is often compared to independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, became the unlikely thorn in the side of the ruling coalition when he went on hunger strike in April. He called off that fast after the government promised to introduce a bill creating an anti-corruption ombudsman.
The so-called Lokpal legislation was presented in early August, but activists slammed the draft version as toothless because the prime minister and judges were exempt from probes.
Saina Bharucha, the only daughter of Kiran Bedi who is an integral part of Team Anna, has constant prayers on her lips for her mother.
Bedi is the first woman IAS officer of the country. Known for her integrity and honesty, she took voluntary retirement in 2007. Saina, married to writer Ruzbeh, stays in Pune. The couple has a daughter.
Saina said that she is with her mother through her prayers since Day 1 of her fight to strengthen the anti-corruption laws in the country.
“I have grown up seeing my mother going out for night patrolling. There were times when she had to go out at odd hours to tackle violent agitations, strikes etc. As a young girl, I used to often wonder why my mother had to take the lead always,” she said.
However, realising that her mother was the proverbial “destiny’s child”, Saina started rallying behind Kiran Bedi whole-heartedly.
“Yes there were times when I just broke down. But then my mother told me that she has a calling and she was fulfilling it,” she confided.
It was this calling which made Saina realize that her mother is not meant for the mundane. “It’s only after great introspection that my mother takes up a cause. She makes statements on astute reasoning. I know my mother will not take any rash or ill-conceived steps ever.”
Asked about Kiran Bedi’s equation with Anna Hazare, Saina said that the she (Kiran) has the highest regard for the crusader.
“In the last few months, she worked very closely with Anna on the Jan Lokpal Bill issue. I have heard words of admiration and respect from her about Anna,” Saina stated.
At 11 am, Anna Hazare will emerge from Tihar Jail and make his way to Ramlila Maidan in Central Delhi to launch his 15-day protest against corruption. Hundreds of supporters have gathered outside Tihar. Anna's close associate, Kiran Bedi, says he will move first to Mayapuri. He will then stop at Amar Jyoti at India Gate and visit Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat before heading to Ramlila Maidan, where his base camp has been set up with hundreds of tents and toilets for the thousands that are likely to join him.
Indian social activist Anna Hazare greets supporters from a police vehicle in New Delhi on August 16, 2011, after his arrest by police authorities. — Photo by AFP
NEW DELHI: Indian police on Tuesday detained a veteran anti-corruption campaigner, Anna Hazare, as he prepared to push ahead with a banned hunger strike in New Delhi, witnesses said.
The police action came in front of hundreds of Hazare supporters who had gathered to back his “fast unto death” aimed at pressuring the government into strengthening a new anti-corruption law.
“Plainclothes police came to the apartment where he was staying and asked him to accompany them peacefully,” fellow activist Akhil Gogoi told AFP.
The 74-year-old devotee of independence hero Mahatma Gandhi was driven away in an unmarked car, Gogoi said.
Police sources said he had been picked up along with two other senior activists and taken to a police facility in north Delhi.
The supporters gathered at the apartment protested his detention, shouting anti-police and pro-Hazare slogans as he was taken away.
Gogoi said the remaining leaders of Hazare’s campaign would hold an emergency meeting “to decide on a future course of action”.
Hazare had staged a 98-hour hunger strike in April that led to the government allowing him and his supporters to help draft the new anti-corruption law, called the “Lokpal” bill.
The April protest caught the country’s attention and was widely supported by celebrities at a time of growing anger over corruption after a string of scandals affecting federal and state ministers.
The proposed Lokpal bill creates a new ombudsman tasked with investigating and prosecuting politicians and bureaucrats, but Hazare wants the prime minister and higher judiciary to come under scrutiny.
Under the draft law, the premier and top judicial figures will be excluded.
Arguing that the law had been watered down, Hazare had planned to begin a second hunger strike in a New Delhi park on Tuesday.
Police banned the protest, arguing that the park was available for only three days and that Hazare had not given an undertaking to limit his fast to that time-frame.
Police had also asked him to ensure that no more than 5,000 supporters would gather at the protest site.
US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said last week that Washington counted on India “to exercise appropriate democratic restraint” when handling of anti-graft protests.
India rejected the statement as “needless” and said its constitution guaranteed freedom of expression.
“Those who don’t agree with this bill can put forward their views to parliament, political parties and even the press,” premier Manmohan Singh said in his Independence Day speech on Monday.
“However, I also believe that they should not resort to hunger strikes and fasts unto death.”
During his April strike, Hazare called for corrupt ministers to be hanged, telling a cheering crowd that “sometimes you need to resort to violence”.
VARANASI: Many city residents were surprised at Delhi police's 'overboard drive' to highlight the issue of enforcing prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC in a specific area to restrict anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare from beginning his hunger strike at JP Park.
The district administration of Varanasi, which is a highly sensitive city, keeps such orders promulgating round the year.
When TOI tried to take stock of the records of the district administration of last the 12 months, it was found that the section 144 enforced in the district on July 16, 2010, continued till September 3, 2010. After it, the prohibitory orders were enforced again from September 4, 2010, to October 30, 2010.
Again on November 1, 2010, this order became effective in the district till December 26. On the very next day, the same order was made effective till February 21. The prohibitory orders became effective again on February 22 and continued till April 15. On April 16, the district administration promulgated section 144 and it continued till June 12. The same orders were made effective from June 13 till August 5, and against from August 6 till September 25.
In the latest prohibitory orders issued under section 144 by the ADM (city) M P Singh, it was mentioned, "In festivals like Janmashtami, Eid, Vishwakarma Puja, exams at different institutions, programmes by political and religious organisations, anti-social and mischievous elements could cause disturbance. To check the activities of such elements in order to maintain law and order and peace, enforcing prohibitory orders is a must."
As per this order, moving with arms and ammunition especially at public places, distribution of hand bills to cause disturbance, forcing closure of shops, use of loud speakers, storage of explosives and materials for destruction, gathering of five or more persons at a place, disturbing traffic, operating photocopy machines near any examination centre and some other activities are prohibited.
In case of violation of these orders, action under section 188 of the IPC was prescribed in the order issued by the city ADM.
The content in almost all the orders issued for promulgating section 144 in the district remains the same.
But this order is mainly followed by those organisations which hold any sit-in stir or demonstration or those who execute their plan after seeking permission from the district administration only.
However, the orders prohibiting people from carrying arms and ammunition at public places and use of loud speakers are often violated in the city.
When some police officials were contacted to know what action has been taken under section 188 in case of violation of the orders issued under section 144, no cop was able to give a proper reply.
The senior officials surely mentioned that initiating action under section 151 (breech of peace) was more convenient for the police in case of such violations due to typical technicalities of section 188.
The Delhi Police have given Anna Hazare seven days to protest at Ramlila ground. According to media reports, the police is also to extend time period to more than seven days later on. Earlier on Wednesday, noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan, a member Anna Hazare's anti-coruption
campaign team, on Wednesday told the government that Anna will come out of jail only if allowed to fast without conditions.
Anna Hazare and his team were in discussions with government and police over the venue of his fast after he comes out of Tihar Jail. According to latest media reports, government may allow Ramlila Maidan as venue for Anna's protest after he comes out of jail.
Speaking to supporters after meeting Hazare, lawyer Prashant Bhushan told the crowd of supporters outside the jail that the Gandhian would come out only if he is allowed to fast without conditions.
Bhushan said government and police were discussing with Hazare and his aides options of fast venue -- JP Park or Ramlila Maidan -- where he could launch his fight for a strong lokpal.
He said if conditions are imposed, then Hazare will continue with his fast inside the jail. He also told the crowd that people of Delhi have been asked to come to India Gate for a march to Jantar Mantar in support of a strong lokpal and fight against corruption.
Hazare had earlier sought permission from Tihar Jail authorities for a meeting with some of his top associates to plan his strategy.
The meeting was attended by Bhushan, Kiran Bedi, Medha Patkar, Manish Sisodia and Swami Agnivesh. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ashok Chand was also present at the meeting.
Hazare also met Sri Sri Ravishankar and yoga guru Ramdev in the prison.
Delhi's Tihar Jail is a high security facility in which you will find drugs lords, militants and other prisoners including - over the past year - top government officials accused of corruption.
Its latest inmate is Anna Hazare - the anti-corruption crusader with a Gandhi-like zeal who is thoroughly embarrassing the government.
Outside the prison's high walls, the narrow lanes are choked with people.
Hundreds of them have taken up every available space, chanting, singing and waving giant Indian flags.
These are Mr Hazare's supporters, angered at the government's move to send him to prison and determined to persuade the authorities to release him.
"Isn't it ironic that the man who is fighting corruption is put in the same prison as those very corrupt officials he is trying to bring to justice," one elderly man said. Several others around him nodded in agreement.
Many of the people here have spent the night outside the prison, holding a vigil in solidarity with the 74 year old who has apparently refused all food and camped in the office of the prison chief.
"Anna carry on with your struggle, we are with you," the crowds chanted outside.
'Showing support'
Within minutes, one section broke into an Indian rendition of the US civil rights song, We Shall Overcome.
“Start Quote
We will stay here as long as it takes for the government to let Anna Hazare go ”
Protester outside Tihar jail
A large number of the protesters were college students, dressed in jeans and T-shirts and passionate in their support.
"It is really, really important for us to come out and show our support for Anna," says Rupali, a social science major at Delhi University.
"The message must go out that as Indians, we will not tolerate corruption."
Others included office workers who had chosen to skip work.
"Every institution in this country is corrupted," says Manju, an airline employee.
"You have to bribe for the most basic things. I had to pay thousands of rupees just to get my passport. And all these government officials sit there and do nothing."
Passions are high, especially with conflicting reports that Mr Hazare may be released soon.
Cheers ring out every time someone emerges from the prison gates, the crowd straining impatiently.
"Let him out, let him out," roars one man and the cry is soon picked up by others.
On what is also an unbearably humid day, volunteers hand out water and bananas.
The heat gets to one older man and he falls to his knees. Three young men rush to his aid and help him to the side.
"We will stay here as long as it takes," another man who was standing next to him stays.
"As long as it takes for the government to let him go."
Round one, it appears, has been won by the Hazare camp
PTISupporters of social activist Anna Hazare protest at the gate of Tihar Jail in New Delhi on Wednesday. )
There was a sense of anticipation outside Tihar Central Jail here on Wednesday afternoon where hundreds of Anna Hazare’s supporters had gathered early, waiting for the anti-corruption crusader and his associates to come out.
The crowds gathered outside the gate of the Director General (Prisons) office shouted slogans, waved the national flag and demanded the passing of the Jan Lokpal Bill. Several banners conveyed the anger felt by the supporters of Mr. Hazare, especially towards the manner in which he was picked up from Mayur Vihar on Tuesday morning.
Members of civil society including Prashant Bhushan, Kiran Bedi, Swami Agnivesh and Akhil Gogoi besides Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar visited Tihar Jail to rally support for Anna.
Prashant Bhushan said Anna will continue his sit-in protest inside the jail premises until he was allowed to “sit on a fast unconditionally” at Jayaprakash Park or at some other venue. “Thereafter, we are ready for any discussion with the Government. But before that it is not possible,” Mr. Bhushan said.
Meanwhile, indications of some understanding being reached with the authorities gave hope to people. In the afternoon, Baba Ramdev and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also reached the venue to express solidarity with Mr. Hazare’s cause even as his fast entered the second day on Wednesday.
Mr. Hazare’s aide Manish Sisodia told mediapersons on Tuesday night following his release from jail that the Ghandian had been fasting since the time of his arrest from Mayur Vihar.
Several sections of the protestors including auto-rickshaw drivers and lawyers have struck work to express their solidarity with Mr. Hazare.
Lawyers have reportedly abstained from appearing in all six district courts in the capital protesting against the non-inclusion of the judiciary in the Lok Pal Bill and the “illegal” arrest of Mr. Hazare.
A large crowd also gathered outside Chhathrasal Stadium near Model Town on Wednesday afternoon.
The 74-year-old Hazare fasted in Tihar jail on Wednesday as thousands of his followers gathered outside in a whirlwind crisis that saw him arrested on Tuesday, before then refusing to leave jail after the government ordered his releases.
Hazare, who is demanding tougher laws against rampant corruption in India, insists he wants the right to return to the city park where he had originally planned to publicly fast before he leaves jail.
But Singh was uncompromising in a speech to parliament as opposition lawmakers often tried to shout him down.
"I acknowledge that Anna Hazare may be inspired by high ideals," a stern-looking Singh said. "However, the path that he has chosen to impose a draft of the bill on parliament is totally misconceived."
The crackdown on the activist and the arrest of more than thousands of his followers met with outrage from the opposition, sparking parliament's adjournment on Tuesday and protests, from candle-light vigils to the burning of effigies of government figures, in cities across India.
The arrest and sudden about-turn appeared to confirm a widespread feeling the 78-year-old Singh was out of touch and that his government was clumsy and too riddled with corruption scandals to govern Asia's third-largest economy effectively.
"Corrupt, repressive and stupid," was the verdict of the Hindu newspaper. "Anna has the government fumbling," was the headline of the Mail Today.
More protests were planned across India on Wednesday. There were calls for civil servants to take leave and rickshaw drivers to strike.
The ruling Congress party held an emergency meeting early on Wednesday to discuss the crisis.
Opposition parties plan to protest against the arrest in Wednesday's parliament session.
Dressed in his trademark white shirt, white cap and spectacles in the style of independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, Hazare has won support from many Indians across all walks of life and sick of endemic corruption as their economy booms.
The arrest played into Hazare's hands. Many parties were sceptical about the fast and there has been criticism the activist was holding Indian democracy hostage. But any doubts about the protest were overshadowed by the arrest.
A weak political opposition means that the government should still survive the crisis, but it could further dim the prospect for economic reforms that have already been held back by policy paralysis and a raft of corruption scandals.
RESTIVE MIDDLE CLASS
The arrests shocked many in a country with strong memories of Gandhi's independence battles against colonial rule with fasts and non-violent protests.
Opposition figures likened the crackdown to the 1975 "Emergency" when then-prime minister Indira Gandhi arrested thousands of opposition members to stay in power.
Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram justified the arrest, saying governments had a right to impose conditions on protests.
The question for many is whether Hazare's movement will grow in the fast-urbanising nation of 1.2 billion people whose increasingly assertive middle class is fed up with constant bribes, poor services and unaccountable leaders.
The scandals, including a telecoms bribery scam that may have cost the government $39 billion, have not only stymied Singh's reform agenda, they have dented investor confidence and distracted parliament just as the $1.6 trillion economy is being hit by inflation and higher interest rates.
Hazare rose to fame for lifting his village in the western state of Maharashtra out of grinding poverty. His social activism has forced out senior government officials and helped create a right-to-information act for citizens.
Hazare became the unlikely thorn in the side of the Congress-led coalition when he first went on a hunger strike in April and won concessions from the government. He called off that fast after the government promised to introduce the Lokpal bill creating a special ombudsman to bring crooked politicians, bureaucrats and judges to book.
The legislation was presented in early August, but activists slammed the draft version as toothless because the prime minister and judges were exempt from probes.
"Anna carry on with your struggle, we are with you," the crowds chanted outside.
Members of civil society including Prashant Bhushan, Kiran Bedi, Swami Agnivesh and Akhil Gogoi besides Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar visited Tihar Jail to rally support for Anna.