Supporters express happiness as Government accepts demands of anti-corruption crusader

New Delhi, Apr 9 (ANI): Hundreds of supporters of veteran social activist Anna Hazare welcomed the central government's assurance to issue a notification for setting up a committee to redraft the Ombudsman Bill.

The government gave an assurance to set up a committee comprising civil society and elected representatives to draft a law. This is being seen as a victory for Indian democracy.

Following the government's guarantee, Hazare called off his fast today morning.

Hazare's supporters said they have been shown a ray of hope and added that this step would help in making society corruption free.

"I am very happy. We all are affected due to corruption, and with the assurance given by the government, we have been shown a ray of hope that investigations will be done and action will be taken against corrupt people," said a supporter from Haryana.

A supporter of Anna Hazare described it as a big victory for India.

"This is a big victory for the country. People are severely affected by corruption and I feel a crusade was carried out in a similar manner as in Egypt," said another supporter.

The supporter also suggested that young minister like Jyoti Scindia and Naveen Jindal and a person from the opposition should be included in the committee so that good and proper decisions are taken with the consent of everybody.

The Gandhian activist began the hunger strike in New Delhi on Tuesday.

At the outset, Anna Hazare's protest against corruption looked like a spark, but with each passing day, it took the form of a wild fire, engulfing people from across the India.

Hazare had recently contended that the Lok Pal Bill, in its present form as mooted by the government, was futile and hence his forum had drafted a separate Jan Lok Pal Bill, taking into account the views and suggestions from civil society.

Drafted by social activists, the bill stipulates that probes of any graft case should be completed in one year, and that the punishment would be a jail term of a minimum of five years and a maximum of life imprisonment. (ANI)