News Politics National Live reporting: Anna Hazare begins indefinite fast for Jan Lokpal Bill

Live reporting: Anna Hazare begins indefinite fast for Jan Lokpal Bill

Ralegan Siddhi (Maharashtra): Gandhian activist Anna Hazare  began his  indefinite fast today  in his village Ralegan Siddhi demanding early passange of Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament. A large number of supporters gathered in this village




Here is a blow-by-blow account of Anna Hazare's indefnite fast Day 1:

1:15 pm:
Reports that former IPS officer Kiran Bedi will visit Ralegan Siddhi on Wednesday

12:15 pm: Anna Hazare says rhetorically: "Is Anna Hazare fighting for himself?  He is fighting for the Indian people. They did not bring the Lokpal Bill in the winter session of 2012, in the budget session of 2013 and in the summer session of 2013. What do they want?"

12:10 pm: Anna Hazare: "PM says he will get the Communal Riots bill passed in this session itself, but what about the Jan Lokpal Bill lying since last two years. The reason is, he does not have the intention, nor the willingness to usher in a corruption-free India.

12 noon: Anna says: This govt brought Food Security Bill, Pension Bill, Land acquisition bill and even a bill for allowing convicted MPs, MLAs to contest election since November 23, 2012, but did not find time to bring the Jan Lokpal Bill. This was deliberate.

11am
: Anna walks 3kms with national flag. He reached Yadav Baba Temple, the fasting spot, at exact 10:54am. He reached the stage at exact 10:59am. On his right side of the stage are his associates, Vishambhar Choudhary, Santosh Bhartiya and Darade.

10:30 am
: Until and unless, people will not unite, nothing will change, Anna Hazare tells mediapersons at fasting venue. "Sonia Gandhi has also said, they will pass the Lok Pal bill. Now is the time to ask for Lok Pal. Till the time Lok Pal bill is not passed, my indefinite hunger striike will continue"

9:45 am: Anna reaches venue of fasting after praying at Yadav baba temple

7 am: Anna still inside Padmawati temple's Bhakti Nivas. At 9 am, he will come out of the temple and pray before Gandhi statue. He will then perform pooja inside Padmawati temple and go to Yadav baba temple, in a rally traversing nearly one kilometre. Villagers will accompany him to the venue of fast. Anna will begin his fast at 11 am.

6:30 am
: After taking his morning bath, Anna goes through newspapers

5:30 am
: Anna wakes up, goes for morning walk