New Delhi: Today, what all of us see as a triumph of democracy, the 12-day fast of Anna Hazare came to an end on Sunday morning when the veteran Gandhian broke his fast amidst thousands of cheering supporters at Ramlila Maidan here in the national capital Delhi.
The 74-year-old social activist broke his 288 hours of fast at 10.20 am by simply taking a glass of coconut water mixed with honey from two kids. Before driven to a hospital run by eminent cardiologist Dr. Naresh Trehan, Anna said that what achieved in Parliament yesterday is a victory of the people of India.
"Thanks to all of you. This is your victory. This is also the victory of media, thanks to media for awakening people across India. Thanks to the members of civil society. We have shown a new way to the world that anything can be achieved through 'ahimsa'," Hazare said.
The 74-year-old social activist further said that he has not broken the fast, but only suspended for the time being, and will not break till the ultimate goal is achieved.
"Hope that Parliament will not ignore the sense of the people. Many of you are wearing a cap which says I am Anna. If you want to be Anna then there should not be any difference in your words and action," he further added.
Hazare was on fast since August 16 for a strong Jan Lokpal Bill. The very same day he was arrested and taken to Tihar Jail, which encouraged and angered many to come to the streets in every city across India demanding his release and a genuine effort to bring a strong Lokpal Bill.
He was released on the same day, but he refused to leave the jail. He later moved to Ramlila Ground on August 19, where he had been continuing with his fast.
Meanwhile, the Congress-led UPA government had already tabled a Lokpal Bill in the parliament, however, the Jan Lokpal Bill, the anti-graft legislation prepared by civil society that Hazare is agitating for, is believed to be stronger and effective with few more stringent clauses.
Finally, after much flip-flop, the government on Saturday (August 27) agreed to the three key demands of Anna Hazare and passed a unanimous sense of the House resolution stating that the civil society's version of the Lokpal Bill would now be discussed by the Standing Committee.
This is a jubilation time for the all the people of India. Hazare's aide, Arvind Kejriwal, has called for grand a celebration at New Delhi's India Gate on Sunday evening.
While thanking the Parliament and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for breaking the impasse over the Lokpal Bill deadlock, Kejriwal said: "We appeal to all the people present here to come to India Gate in the evening where we will celebrate the grand victory of the people."
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