Confrontation brews between Anna and govt

New Delhi, Aug 13 (PTI) A confrontation appeared to be
building between Anna Hazare and Indian government with the
Gandhian Saturday deciding to go ahead with his indefinite
fast from August 16 for a "strong" Lokpal(anti-corruption
ombudsman) rejecting conditions that the protest should be
limited to three days and 5,000 people.
Hazare accused the government of "deceit" by putting
conditions on his agitation and sought the intervention of
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking him to "show courage" and
protect his fundamental rights.
Addressing a press conference after Delhi Police sent a
letter carrying 22 conditions, he made it clear that he was
ready for any eventuality in case government decides to
crackdown to disrupt his protest, saying he would not mind
going jail or beaten up by police.
"Fast will take place in Jai Prakash Narain Park. We will
continue with the protest beyond three days...the government
is scared that its corruption will be exposed," said Hazare
whose fast in April forced the government to come out with a
Lokpal Bill with which he is not satisfied.
The government has introduced Lokpal Bill in Lok
Sabha(Lower House of Indian Parliament) which has been
referred to Standing Committee of Parliament and is expected
to be taken up in the Winter Session.
The legislation excludes Prime Minister, higher judiciary
and conduct of Members of Parliament(MPs) inside Parliament
but Hazare wants the bill to cover them besides the entire
bureaucracy.
Lawyer Shanti Bhushan said they agree with almost all the
conditions laid by Delhi Police for the protest but would not
give an undertaking that the protest will end by the third day
and the number of protesters will not go beyond 5,000.
termning it "unconstitutional".

In his letter to Singh, Hazare said, the government's
attitude gave a hint of "dictatorship" as those raising voice
against it are being "crushed" particularly under his
government.
"Your Government is trying to crush those who raise their
voice against corruption. This is happening more often in your
Government," Hazare said.
Seeking Singh's intervention, he wrote, "you are
79-years-old and are holding the nation's top position. You
have got everything from life. What else do you want from
life. Show courage and take some concrete steps."
Noting that it was the duty of the Prime Minister to
protect the Constitution and democracy, Hazare expressed hope
that Singh would "understand the gravity of the situation and
would do something quickly".
He told Singh that he and his associates were determined
to undertake the fast from August 16 and sacrifice their
lives. "If the head of democracy is unable to provide a proper
place for the fast, then we will court arrest and undertake
the fast in jail," he said.
When asked what will be their response if government
disrupts the protest, Hazare said, the country will respond to
such actions of the government.
Kejriwal said they were ready to give an undertaking
which is within the boundaries of Constitution. "This is not a
switch-on, switch-off protest," he said.
On Delhi Police's letter, activist Kiran Bedi alleged it
was a "dictated order" and not a police draft. Swami Agnivesh
said, "this is reminds of emergency. They again are attacking
Constitution."

Asserting that the protest would continue till the time
it is "necessary", Bhushan warned the government against
disrupting the protest and reminded about the repercussions of
the Emergency on Congress party in the subsequent election.
Rubbishing the government's condition that the number of
protesters be limited to 5,000, the Hazare team said when
political parties hold protests, lakhs of people are being
brought in buses and trucks with which the government has no
problem.
"In our protest, people are coming on their own using
their own money. The government is acting against them...
People will come and teach the government a lesson," Hazare
said while noting that he was not sure how many people will
join his protest.
To a question, he said he had faith in Parliament and
that was why he appeared before the Standing Committee
examining the Lokpal Bill.
"The government, however, has betrayed us. This is not
the draft we wanted. Get the proper bill, after that whatever
Parliament decide, we will obey," he said.

In his letter, Hazare said, "Two days ahead of
Independence Day, are you taking away our freedom? I wonder
with what face would you unfurl the national flag from the Red
Fort on the 65th Independence Day?"
Pointing out that the US has also remarked on the way the
government deals with peaceful protest, he said, "It is
unfortunate that because of your wrongdoings, the US has the
audacity to make comments about our internal matters."