Hazare on fast for 'second freedom struggle'

New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI) Taking on the Indian
government, civil rights activist Anna Hazare Wednesday went
on a day-long fast at Rajghat, declaring that his agitation
against corruption was the "second freedom struggle" and
threatened another hunger strike from August 16 if Lokpal Bill
is not passed by then.
He accused the government of putting "hurdles" in the
drafting of Lokpal Bill and trying to defame the civil society
members of the joint panel, such as Shanti Bhushan, Prashant
Bhushan, Santosh Hegde and Arvind Kejriwal through a
"discreet" campaign.
Hazare, joined by his associates and a few thousand
supporters, went on the hunger strike to protest the police
crackdown on Baba Ramdev's supporters during their agitation
against corruption here on Saturday night, which he termed as
a "blot on humanity" and attempt to "stifle democracy".
After paying floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi's
samadhi, he reached the protest site at around 10.20 am to a
rousing welcome from supporters who assembled there amid heavy
police presence.
"Mahatma Gandhi fought for our freedom but we are yet
to achieve real independence. The second struggle of
independence has started. We are ready to sacrifice our lives
but will not buckle under pressure," Hazare said.
Mounting pressure on the government to quickly enact a
law to curb corruption, he said he will launch an indefinite
fast at Jantar Mantar here from August 16 if the Lokpal Bill
is not passed by then.
Hazare's indefinite fast in April had evoked
nationwide support forcing the government to set up a joint
committee of civil society members and ministers to draft the
bill.