Aaj English TV

Friday, December 27, 2024  
24 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446  

Anna Hazare leaves Tihar Jail, addresses supporters

Anna Hazare came out of Tihar Jail on Friday and will go to Rajghat, the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, before he launches his fortnight long protest from Ramlila Ground.

73-year-old Hazare, who is on fast for the fourth day and had spent the last three nights in Tihar jail, addressed the crowd of supporters that have been thronging outside the prison complex for the last four days.

Anna urged his supporters to make sure that the torch of the movement against corruption is not extinguished. He said that India gained freedom in 1947, but the freedom movement began long time back meaning that the march to end corruption will be a long drawn one.

Anna said, "After 64 years of independence, we still haven't achieved complete freedom."

"The fight is far from over, it has just begun," he added.

Earlier in the day, Hazare's associate Kiran Bedi told reporters that he will go in a procession from the jail to Mayapuri, distance of about 4-5 km and then drive down to Rajghat. From there he will go to India Gate in central Delhi before moving to Ramlila Ground, a short distance from there.

She appealed to the supporters not to block roads and traffic.

Hundreds of Hazare's supporters too have been camping outside the Tihar premises since Tuesday when the anti-corruption activist was taken to the prison after his arrest.

After two days of hard negotiations, the stand-off between the Gandhian and the government ended with the two sides agreeing that Hazare will undertake a fast for 15 days at the Ramlila Ground subject to certain conditions.

Hazare got from Delhi Police the spacious Ramlila Ground for his fast instead of the smaller J P Park.

Significantly, Team Hazare made it clear that his fast would not be a fast-unto-death and he will be on hunger strike only till his health permits.

73-year-old Hazare, in a video shot inside Tihar Jail, said the protests by "all my brothers and sisters, the elderly and the children" is giving him a "new energy" for his fast.

He said people were fed up of corruption and the government should not take long to bring a strong Lokpal Bill.

Hazare, who is on the third day of his fast inside Tihar jail, also said he is not "tired" at all.