New Delhi: Thousands of people joined veteran social activist Anna Hazare at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi Tuesday as he began his "fast unto death" to press for a stronger anti-graft Lokpal Bill through greater involvement of civil society in its drafting.
Waving Indian flags and placards in support of a more effective anti-corruption law, the supporters gathered at Rajghat memorial to Mahatma Gandhi Tuesday morning, where Hazare paid his homage to the Mahatma before starting the hunger strike. Supporters also thronged India Gate and Jantar Mantar, as the activist finally sat for his fast.
"I am going on a fast because we want representation from civil society in drafting the Lokpal Bill, 50 percent from civil society and 50 percent from government. If government frames the bill without people's participation, it will not be democracy, it will be bureaucracy," Hazare told reporters before embarking on his fast at Jantar Mantar.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday expressed "deep disappointment" over Hazare's decision to go ahead with the planned hunger strike, but said he had enormous respect for the social worker and his mission.
However, Hazare said if the prime minister respected him, he should have met the activists.
"Prime minister says I have faith and respect for you...why didn't he sit for discussion even for one day with us?" the Magsaysay awardee asked
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