Author: IANS
Publication: The Times of India
Date: August 28, 2011
URL: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-28/india/29938224_1_lokpal-bill-team-anna-anna-hazare
He has only "suspended" his fast
not ended it, Anna Hazare said Sunday and added that his campaign for a strong
Lokpal institution would continue till parliament passed the anti-graft bill.
"I have just suspended the fast... did
not end it. The fight will go on till parliament passes the Lokpal bill,"
the 74-year-old told thousands of his cheering supporters at the Ramlila Maidan.
He also called for peoples' participation for electoral reforms.
He broke his 288-hour-fast after sipping
coconut water and honey offered by two young girls - Simran and Iqra - one
a Dalit, the other a Muslim.
"I thank all of you for today. It's your
success," he said, referring to the parliament agreeing to the three
crucial points demanded by Team Anna for a strong Lokpal.
"We have to change the election system
of the country... we have the right to reject," he said, adding that
people should be allowed to use the option not to vote if they don't like
any candidate.
Referring more than once to B.R. Ambedkar,
the architect of the Indian constitution and champion of Dalit cause, Hazare
said "justice must be ensured for the farmers of the country who are
in a pitiable state today". He also talked about bridging the rich-poor
divide and fighting against commercialisaion of education.
"The fight has begun with the Lokpal
bill. That's why I have just suspended the fast, did not end it," he
said.
Thanking the youth of the nation for their
immense support to the movement, Hazare described them as the strength of
India.
"I am very happy that a movement of
this enormity was non-violent. You have set an example to the whole world,"
Hazare said amid loud applause.
He also had a word for those who sported
Gandhi caps with the 'I am Anna' written on it.
"You cannot become Anna just by wearing
the cap. You have to have pure thoughts, work diligently, be unselfish, be
ready to sacrifice and be able to tolerate cynicism...," Hazare said.
