Movement for Lokpal Bill will go on’: Anna Hazare

New Delhi – Veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Friday said that his movement for a strong and effective Lokpal Bill go an even if the ruling UPA Government does not agree to their demands.

Hazare further said his team member Arvind Kejriwal’s health is not a matter of concern. Kejriwal, who is sitting on a hunger strike at the Jantar Mantar here since Wednesday, fell ill yesterday due to drop in his blood sugar level.

“This is not a matter of concern. We have nothing to do whether the government agrees or not. We have to just do our duty for the benefit of the country and society. Even if the government does not agree, our movement will go on,” he said.

Hazare also expressed hope that the government would sooner or latter accept all their demands, and help in the formulation of an effective anti-graft bill.

“They (the government) have not come from England or Pakistan. They are our own people. And if they do not think about the country and people, then who is to be blamed. Don’t they think about it? The people of the country have selected you. Is it not their duty?” he asked.

When asked that Team Anna had this time failed in assembling a large gathering at the fast venue in Jantar Mantar, Hazare said the success and failure of a movement does not depend on the crowd.

“It is not that by gathering a crowd that the movement becomes stronger. The success and failure of a movement does not depend on the size of the crowd”, he said.

Team Anna has launched their indefinite fast in New Delhi on Wednesday, raising the pitch against the UPA government on the issue of corruption.

Hazare’s three close aides, Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai, are sitting on a hunger strike at the Jantar Mantar here.

The 74-year-old social activist, who is presently on a dharna, has set a 96-hour-long deadline for the government to announce a strong and effective Lokpal Bill.

Team Anna has got permission to fast at Jantar Mantar till August 8, the day the Monsoon Session of Parliament is expected to begin.

Team Anna has announced the indefinite protest against the UPA Government and its failure to enact a strong Lokpal Bill as well as not setting up a special investigation team to probe corruption charges. (ANI)