Nagpur, One of the vehicles in Anna Hazare's convoy was attacked by a group unidentified people at Chitnis Park. The vehicle was carrying books published by Anna's NGO that were to be sold at the venue. None of the four people inside the vehicle were hurt but the four wheeler's window panes were shattered. The city police have detained seven persons and are investigating further. Anna too visited the police station and inquired about progress in investigation. Datta Awari, who works with Anna at Ralegan Siddhi, said "We had copies of seven books that are printed by our NGO. They are on Lokpal, RTI, Lokayukta etc. As we were entering Chitnis Park through the back gate, the police stopped us. Suddenly a group claiming to be from Youth Congress approached us and opened the back door. The books kept in the vehicle tumbled out and one of the men started shouting that the books were defiling leaders of their party." However Vijay Wanve, general secretary of Youth Congress (Nagpur) said this attack had no official backing. "We would have done it in a much bigger way if we wanted to. This attack was carried out by the general public which also included some of our workers whose ...
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Chandrapur, Anna Hazare has expressed that he would welcome like-minded people like General VK Singh after his retirement as army chief to be a part of his team to fight corruption. Hazare said he would be happy to have General Singh as a part of this team, if the Army chief was interested in joining it. "I am personally not inclined to ask or request anyone to join our agitation against corruption but we have fought two wars - one against Pakistan and the other against Bangladesh during my service in the Army, now we have to fight the enemy within us", he said. "And we need like minded people in our team and if interested, General VK Singh is welcome to join us after his retirement. It would be his choice", Anna told reporters last evening when they asked him whether he would like to invite General Singh to join his team. "Anna's invite to General V K is most appropriate. Imagine if ex-servicemen join Anna they can become a formidable voice against corruption", Team Anna member Kiran Bedi tweeted today. Last month, Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal while extending support to Gen Singh had said that they were sure that the Army chief will take a decision on what he ...
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New Delhi, The Supreme Court today dismissed a PIL seeking action against Anna Hazare and his team members for allegedly showing disrespect to the national flag during his agitation for the Lokpal Bill last year. A bench of justices B S Chauhan and J S Khehar rapped the petitioner, Chennai-resident L K Venkat for filing the PIL. The petitioner had alleged that during the agitation in December last year, the associates of Harare had shown disrespect to the national flag and the government had failed to take any action despite a complaint filed against them. "During the course of the agitation, Hazare and his associates had flown the national flag at half mast in public and also mutilated and defaced the flag," the petitioner alleged. The bench, however, was not satisfied with his contention and during the hearing threatened to impose cost on the petitioner for misusing the process of PIL but it refrained from doing so and dismissed the ...
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New Delhi, Joining forces against the government, yoga guru Baba Ramdev and activist Anna Hazare on Friday said the duo will launch a nationwide campaign for a strong Lokpal and return of black money from May 1. The two leaders have also announced plans to sit on a day-long token fast in Delhi on June 3. "We need two movements to bring back black money and for a strong Lokpal. I will sit on a token fast with Anna on June 3. We will start an agitation from Durg in Chhattisgarh from May 1. Anna will also start his yatra from Shirdi from May 1," Ramdev said. Buoyed by the success of the Jantar Mantar fast last month, Hazare reiterated that he was planning a strong campaign for August. Incidentally, the two leaders have shared an uneasy relationship in the past one year. While Ramdev was part of the Jan Lokpal agitation in last April, there was a fall-out between Team Anna and the yoga guru. Team Anna members expressed discomfort with Ramdev's closeness to saffron outfit RSS and there was some distancing between the two groups after the April, 2010, stir. However, these differences appear to have been brushed under the carpet now, with waning interest in the Lokpal ...
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Gurgaon, Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare and yoga guru Baba Ramdev will jointly sit on a one day token fast in Delhi on June 3. Speaking during a press conference with Ramdev, Hazare said the fast will press for a strong Lokpal bill and mobilise opinion against black money. Ramdev told media persons that he will start a country wide protest from May 1 and also warned of a bigger movement from August. "We need two 'andolans' (movements) to bring back black money stashed abroad and to push for a strong Lokpal. I will sit on a token fast with Anna on June 3," Ramdev said. Ramdev said that he along with Anna Hazare would start an agitation from Chhattisgarh's Durg from May 1. ...
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Gurgaon, Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare and yoga guru Baba Ramdev will jointly sit on a day's token fast in Delhi June 3 to press for a strong Lokpal Bill and to mobilise opinion against black money. Addressing a joint press conference here, Hazare and Ramdev slammed the government for being involved in corruption. Hazare said they had no intention of making the government fall. However, there was nothing wrong if the people's movement proceeded that way. "Making the government fall is not our intention... if this government is graduate in corruption, the next government will do PhD... But a government that can't understand people's voice, it's not a (matter of) concern if it falls," Hazare said. Ramdev added that the present government had no right to rule. "It can only happen in India that after so many corruption cases the government continues." "Time will change and a government will come that will have only those who want a strong Lokpal," Ramdev said. The two added that they would travel across the country and campaign against ...
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Haridwar, Yoga guru Ramdev today announced a fresh agitation against black money and corruption and said he will stage a one-day dharna on June 3 at New Delhi to mark the first anniversary of the police crackdown on his supporters at Ramlila grounds. Ramdev got support for his fresh campaign, which kicked off today, from Anna Hazare who said they have decided to carry out the fight against corruption together. Hazare said he would go to Delhi on June 3 if he gets a "messsage" from the yoga guru. He told reporters in Haridwar that plans for a "bigger" agitation in August will be announced on June 3 during his one-day dharna at Jantar Mantar. "We have announced the launch of a country-wide peaceful movement against black money and corruption from today," Acharya Balkrishna, a close associate of Ramdev, said in Dehra Dun. Balkrishna said Hazare would also be giving his support to the movement. "We have already made it clear that both Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev will give support to each others' campaigns," he said. Asked whether he would go to Delhi to join Ramdev on the day of his dharna on June 3, Hazare said, "Yes. When he will give me the message I will go to ...
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New Delhi, Janata Dal (United) today slammed Team Anna for comments against party's national president Sharad Yadav during social activist Anna Hazare's fast at Jantar Mantar here. "Team Anna has used insulting language against Sharadji. This is undemocratic and also an insult to Parliament," JD(U) Delhi unit chief spokesperson Prabhat Ranjan said. Mr Ranjan said Mr Yadav is one of the most honest politician of the country and he has always fought for the common man. "Sharadji always fights for the common man from streets to Parliament," he added. Mr Ranjan said comments against Mr Yadav were highly condemnable and it shows Team Anna's mentality. He alleged that Team Anna was not clean and honest. He said there were charges of irregularities against several team members including Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi. Mr Ranjan said the team should stop "drama" at a public platform. Team Anna member Manish Sisodia had commented against Mr Yadav after showing footage of the JD(U) president's speech on Lokpal in ...
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New Delhi, Veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Friday urged the Congress-led UPA government to bring a strong and effective Lokpal Bill. He said that the Lokpal Bill that the government is trying to bring out will not be 'effective' in putting a 'brake' on corruption. "The Lokpal Bill of the government will not be effective at all. It will fail to put a brake on corruption," he said. Hazare said that he will sit on fast at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar on March 25 for a strong and effective Lokpal Bill. The Gandhian activist urged the government to bring out the bill before Lok Sabha elections in 2014, else he will start a strong agitation in demand for it. "The government has already seen the results in the five states where results of the Assembly polls were declared. If they do not bring a strong Lokpal Bill by 2014 then the result in 2014 elections will also be bad," Hazare said. Meanwhile, an all party meeting of the Rajya Sabha members that was called by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his residence on Friday ended without reaching any consensus on the Lokpal Bill issue. The PM met the Rajya Sabha members at his residence for over an hour since 12 noon ...
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New Delhi, Shekhar Suman, who is returning to the telly world with his cult show "Movers & Shakers" after over a decade, has approached social activist Anna Hazare to be the special guest on the first episode of the chat show. And he has a special reason for it. "Anna Hazare has rocked the nation! We are trying to do the show's first episode with him. So far he has said yes…so we hope to see him," Shekhar said at the show launch here Wednesday. Hazare, 74, is leading a campaign for a strong Lokpal bill. In 2011, he used the Gandhian way of 'ahimsa' to get citizens together in his crusade for a corruption-free nation. "I don't think we can get a better person than him on the show, because according to me, he is the biggest mover and shaker of today. He is the biggest voice of the common man, and a big beacon of hope in the country today," added the actor. When it was first launched in 1997 on Sony, "Movers & Shakers" became widely watched, and brought a lot of success to Shekhar. The original show went on till 2001. Now the new, improved version will go on air March 12 on Sab TV. "The show is a satire…it is a satire for all things related to the common man's ...
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New Delhi, Struggling to stay relevant amid signs of growing popular indifference, Team Anna chose Republic Day to advocate radical ideas like putting gram sabhas above the Lok Sabha and establishing a referendum commission along the lines of Election Commission. In a video message, activist Anna Hazare also praised the Lokayukta bill of Uttarakhand, in what may be seen as a surrogate campaign for the BJP in the state. He said the legislation drafted by the BJP government should be emulated by all states, something that endorses BJP's claim to be sincere about fighting corruption under its chief ministerial candidate B C Khanduri. Hazare demanded that a law be brought to give financial and decision-making powers to gram sabhas and threatened to go on a Ramlila Maidan style agitation for it. He also chose to raise the contentious issue of land acquisition, demanding that no acquisition take place without gram sabha approval. "Lok Sabha thinks it is above everyone. This is wrong. People have made you. So they are above you... It is the sacred temple of democracy. In such a sacred place, what has happened in Rajya Sabha in the last day (of the winter session) on Lokpal ...
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New Delhi, Upping the ante on the Lokpal bill ahead of assembly polls in five states, Anna Hazare Sunday shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking him to "show courage" in passing stringent anti-corruption legislation to give the country something to remember him by. Team Anna also wrote separate missives to Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati and other leaders questioning their party's stance on aspects of the legislation passed by the Lok Sabha last month. Using sharp language in the letters to the prime minister and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, Hazare described Home Minister P. Chidambaram as "corrupt" and wondered why the government wanted to keep Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) "in its grip." The four-page letter to Manmohan Singh, only signed by Hazare, said he was not sure whether the Congress will give him another chance to become the prime minister and he should use this opportunity to push for a stringent anti-corruption law. "You have turned 80 and this country has given you everything. Now the county is asking something in ...
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Jaipur, Popular author and columnist Chetan Bhagat supports the idea of a Lokpal but he does not aspire to be Anna Hazare. In a chat at the DSC Jaipur Literature Festival here today Mr Bhagat, author of five best-selling novels, said "I can't be Anna, I feel hungry ", adding, they could just put a Bollywood actress and that would be more fascinating. Over questions related to his critics, including Anna supporters, who target him over different issues, the author-cum-speaker said, "Can I change how people think. That’s why I write now and have also become a motivational speaker". In the context of his latest best-seller novel "Revolution 2020 : Love, Corruption, Ambition", Bhagat said, “ My audience wants entertainment. So I had to add a love story. But to make it even hotter, it had to be an infidelity angle. Otherwise, they would say -Yeh kya Anna Hazare type book likh di.” "However, I was lucky Anna Hazare happened when my book came out. Corruption was on the top in people's mind". The author did feel offended over Anna's comment for hiring him as a blogger and said they could not afford him. Over criticism apparently on standard of language of his books ...
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New Delhi, Anna Hazare's long-time close aides from Bhrashtrachar Virodhi Jan Andolan Nyas (BVJAN) say they are working along with India Against Corruption (IAC) and while there might be some differences in their ways of working, both groups have the same objective. "We and IAC are working together. There may be some difference in the way of working, but our agenda is the same, and we will continue to work together," BVJAN secretary Allauddin Sheikh told IANS by phone. Sheikh, who has been working with Hazare for the past 15 years, was reported to have said IAC was misusing Anna Hazare's simplicity. He, however, clarified that he called Hazare simple in a different context. "He is a democratic person. If someone suggests something, he accepts it readily. He is a simple person in his way of life, but no one can misguide him," he said. BVJAN vice president Ashok Sabban noted that "no one can make him (Hazare) do something he disagrees to". The BVJAN activists also denied having termed the IAC to be a forefront of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). "I had pointed out (to Hazare) the mistakes that were made. Like keeping the image of 'Bharat Mata' when he ...
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Pune, Doctors attending to veteran social activist Anna Hazare in Pune noticed significant progress in his health. Dr. Mahendra Kawedia, one of the doctors attending to Hazare, said he is responding well to the medical treatment, as he even began exercise on treadmill and cycle without showing signs of fatigue. "Anna is very happy and he is responding very well. We did not conduct any new tests. Today (Thursday) Anna exercised on treadmill, which is very good. He even exercised on the static cycle continuously for 15 minutes. He did not feel tired due to it. He is sitting calmly and he read newspapers and he even talked to people around him. So overall there is a good progress," said Kawedia. Meanwhile, Dr. Parag Sancheti said the decision to discharge Hazare from the hospital would be taken after a meeting on Sunday (January 08). "As of now we have decided that his antibiotics course will go on till Saturday. On Sunday after our internal core committee meeting we will take decision on when to discharge him," said Sancheti. Earlier, former senior police officer and civil society activist Kiran Bedi said Hazare will not campaign in the upcoming assembly polls due ...
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New Delhi, Union Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal on Friday dared Team Anna to campaign against the Congress Party in the upcoming assembly polls scheduled in five states of the country. To a poser on whether Anna Hazare will now not campaign against the ruling party in the upcoming assembly polls owing to his poor health, Jaiswal said: "Team Anna can do it (campaign against Congress). Why don''t they do it? Former senior police officer and civil society activist Kiran Bedi had earlier on Thursday said veteran social activist Anna Hazare will not campaign in the upcoming assembly polls due to his poor health. "I have messages from Anna to the Core Committee, I will be placing those matters before the core group which is meeting on Saturday and then we will decide our further course of action. But Anna is not going to campaign in the coming states, Anna is not going to travel, which we have urged him, he cannot, nor are the doctors allowing him," Bedi told the media in Pune. "Doctors are not allowing him any more fast and doctors are not allowing him anymore exposure through travel at the moment," she added. Anna Hazare, who called off his three-day token fast ...
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PUNE: Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said the proposed campaign by Anna Hazare in five poll-bound states entirely depended on his health. "It depends entirely on his health and suggestions by doctors," he said. Hazare had earlier announced that he would tour the five poll-bound states to canvass against political parties that opposed a strong Lokpal Bill in the Parliament. He said since Anna's health was improving with reduced chest congestion, the date of next meeting of the movement's core committee would be finalised soon. "Anna's health is paramount for us and the whole country," he added. Dr Parag Sancheti said Hazare would be administered intravenous antibiotics for five days. He has been advised not to undertake any stressful activity or fast for a ...
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Pune, Supporters of Anna Hazare would be able to have a sigh of relief as the social activist today said he is recuperating well and there is no need to worry about his health. Not only that, the anti-corruption crusader also wished eveybody a happy new year. "People are thinking that my health has deteoriated, but its not so. It has improved considerably and I will get well within a few days. I wish everybody a very happy new year and request people not to worry regarding my heath," Anna told people who were waiting outside the Sancheti Hospital. Anna was admitted to the hospital today as he was not well for past few days. Talking to UNI, Dr Parag Sancheti said Anna has been advised complete rest and instructed not to go on fast for at least one month. "He needs complete rest and should avoid fasting for a month. Anna's condition is improving but he still needs rest," said Dr K H Sancheti of Sancheti Hospital. ...
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New Delhi, Commenting on the incident in Amritsar, where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was shown black flags by supporters of social activist Anna Hazare, key team Anna member Kiran Bedi today said the protesters did so as they support the cause (Jan Lokpal Bill) they believe in. "They r (are) supporting d (the) cause they believe in. Anna never asks anyone to do this. Nor does Team Anna. We have great regards for our PM," Ms Bedi tweeted. However, she said there was better options with the India Against Corruption (IAC) volunteers to protest. "Undoubtedly out of respect for PM and New Year Day there was better option of protest. But every one has a right 2 (to) their own expression!" the former IPS officer said. She added that the people who showed black flags to the Prime Minister for Jan Lokpal Bill were IAC volunteers of Amritsar "as were elsewhere on their own around the country". "2011 was yr (year) of people galvanised by Anna 4 (for) effective framework in place 2 (to) punish offenders in power/position. Let's C (see) to whom 2012 belongs?" she added. The Prime Minister, who paid obeisance at the Golden Temple here this morning, was shown black flags by ...
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Mumbai, Bowing to appeals from doctors, Anna Hazare, hit by viral fever, said he was ending his three-day fast a day earlier Wednesday but vowed to keep fighting for a "strong Lokpal". A day after the Lok Sabha passed the government's Lokpal bill trashed by Team Anna, Hazare declared from the stage at the MMRDA ground that "we will end our fast" Wednesday. He also pledged to tour all five states which will see elections early next year to campaign against those who did not vote for his "Jan Lokpal bill". "This is the only way forward after seeing what happened in parliament yesterday," he said, referring to the passage of the Lokpal bill Tuesday night in the Lok Sabha. Looking fatigued and speaking slowly, the 74-year-old activist said he had originally decided to fast for three days, until Thursday. But an illness had forced him to skip food for the past four days. His announcement came shortly after doctors pressed him to end his fast without delay, saying his temperature and rising blood pressure could lead to kidney failure. Ashwin Mehta, who examined Hazare at noon, said Hazare's blood pressure in lying condition was 120/90 and in standing condition was ...
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