Anna comes out of Tihar

New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) Anti-corruption crusader Anna
Hazare came out of Tihar Jail on Friday to launch a
fortnight-long protest demanding a strong Lokpal bill
declaring that the fight against graft will continue whether
he was "alive or not".
Looking fit on his fourth day of fast, the 73-year old
Gandhian came out of the jail premises and made a brief
address to the waiting supporters that the "second freedom
struggle" has started.
"We got freedom in 1947. Now the second freedom struggle
has begun on August 16. A revolution has started. The fight
against corruption will continue whether I am alive or not,"
he said as the hundreds of supporters waiting for him since
early morning cheered and clapped.
Escorted by police officials, Hazare came out and mounted
a small podium erected just outside one of the gates of the
prison that was his home for over 67 hours. He had refused to
come out of the jail on Tuesday despite government ordering
his unconditional release after his arrest in the morning to
foil his indefinite hunger strike.
In the short speech, he declared that his campaign was
aimed at making the country corruption-free.
Before getting on to a mini-truck heading a procession
for a short distance, he appealed to his supporters not to
indulge in violence or damage public property.
Flanked by his aides Arvind Kejriwal and Suresh Pathare,
the Gandhian also invited them to join his protest that he
would begin from the historic Ramlila grounds.
Greeted by rains, the procession made a slow progress as
Anna waved to his supporters on his way towards Rajghat where
he will pay obeisance to Mahatma Gandhi before proceeding to
Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate. From there he will go to
Ramlila ground, the protest venue.
Hazare supporters accompanied the procession waving the
tri-colour while he accepted greetings from people gathered on
either side of the road in West Delhi.
The improvised vehicle had a huge umbrella to protect
Hazare and his close aides from the pounding rain. Apart from
walking along with Hazare's vehicle, the supporters followed
him on bikes, jeeps and cars.
The procession affected vehicular traffic in and around
the Tihar prison premises including in Janakpuri, Mayapuri and
Hari Nagar in West Delhi.
The tireless Hazare was greeted by the supporters with
garlands and bouquets at various intersections en-route his
procession which was marked by chants of 'Anna' and "Vande
Mataram".
Children, housewives and others were seen standing on
their balconies and rooftops to have a glimpse of Hazare and
the procession.
Supporters also thronged other three venues -- Rajghat,
India Gate and Ramlila Maidan -- where the Gandhian will
visit.
Protesters expressed happiness over the 73-year-old
Gandhian's decision to come out from the prison complex
following rounds of negotiations with the police and
authorities to decide on agitation venue to undertake hunger
strike.
"I have come here late last night to participate in
this mass movement. It is our victory and we will remove
corruption from the country with Annaji's help," said Ashok
Marwah, a Dwarka resident who was among thousands others
anxiously waiting for the Hazare's release. PTI SAP
AVT