Weakened Anna vows to carry on with fast

NEW DELHI: The Anna Hazare, who addressed the restive crowds after a gap of nearly 40 hours on Tuesday noon, appeared worn out, unshaven and tired. However, any doubts that his will to continue the indefinite fast was dispelled by the throaty cry of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'.

The Gandhian spoke for 28 minutes, and took the opportunity to hit out at detractors and urge his supporters to continue picketing at MPs' residences.

Addressing the crowd that applauded and cheered at his statements, Anna said he would feel fortunate if he lost his life for the country. In a veiled attack to author Arundhati Roy's criticism that he had not raised pertinent issues like that of Naxalism or adivasi rights, Anna said, "There are several burning issues in front of the country...that of farmers' rights, adivasi rights but corruption is the most crucial issue." He also dismissed allegations that his campaign was anti-Dalit or that he was insensitive to Dalit concerns by saying that there were several Dalits in his village and they worked together. He added, "Yeh Kapil Sibal jaise ulat-pulat bolne wale hain...unke bhai honge." (These people who are making allegations must be Sibal's kin.)

To a loud cheer, Hazare told the gathering that they should gherao residences of MPs in thousands if the government does not pass a strong Lokpal bill by August 30. "We have to think about the next course of action. We should not sit here. Now 25-30 people are sitting on dharnas outside MPs' residences. After August 30, thousands should in front of the houses of MPs. Only then there will be an impact on them," he said.

The Gandhian was saddened that some of his supporters were indulging in vices, and advised them to refrain. "Some people are coming to the protest after consuming alcohol and getting into fights...if we do something wrong, our protest will be crushed," he warned.

"Even if Lokpal comes and if such traitors run the country, what will happen? This is the question which is bothering me," he said.

He said he was watching for the past four months after the government set up the joint committee for drafting Lokpal bill. "Even there some people in the government were traitors, they tried to betray us," he said.