In Anna Hazare’s words……
“This is just a battle, war is ahead. It is a long drawn battle to fight for a change. Even after 64 years of freedom what did the people of our country got? It was just the blacks replacing the whites to rule the country, and exploit the poor through goondagiri and corruption.
“As long as Lokpal Bill is not fulfilled, I will fight till the last breath.
“The tribal right on Jaal, Jungle, Jamin is being crushed through bullets and lathis and they are taking away their land to give the industries. Is it the true independence for the country? Change in system is required.
“Farmers were mowed by guns for protesting for water…ridden with power, fame and money, the government has fallen unconscious. Has the government ever thought on exploitations on the poor. Is it the real development?
“The government is not thinking on this. So our fight will continue…from the Red Fort the prime minister says Parliament will decide on the Lokpal Bill, and everybody has to agree it.
“We have faith and confidence on Parliament. But the bill should be a proper one, and if you distort it then we will protest.
“First the government assured our original draft on Lokpal bill, then it tricked the people by backtracking from its promise.
“We have to fight for change---Lokpal Bill will have to be set up in its original form…whole country has stood up, and we will fight for it (original draft proposal).
“They repeatedly remind us about democratic norms as if we don’t know.
“Is it democratic to distribute money to get elected for assemblies and Lok Sabha. Parliament is a temple. What will happen if tainted people congregate there? It will become impious, which will be insult to our martyrs who had lost lives for our freedom. Elect good people to make the temple pious.
“We read newspapers on government’s assertions that its policies are pro-people. No, its policy is pro-industry to snatch land from the poor through the power of barrel…giving it to the industrialists. They are looting the farmers, hitting them with batons.
“Why do you think only Delhi has Parliament. Village Parliaments are supreme and shaped the Constitution and made assemblies and Parliament.
“On August 15, 1947 Gandhiji did not go to the Red Fort when the tricolour was unfurled. He was sitting in a dark room in Calcutta as innocent people were being killed then. Now the situation is the same. We have darkness even after 64 years of Independence. So I urge all countrymen to switch-off power supply at their homes from 8 pm to 9 pm today (Aug 15).
“Do you know why prices have risen? It is due to corruption...Government knows that students don’t get admission to colleges because of money.
“Some people doubt whether Lokpal Bill could end corruption. I can give you in writing; 60 per cent to 65 per cent of corruption could be curbed if the original Lokpal Bill is accepted. If not I will work as a water-carrier in the residence of (HRD Minister) Kapil Sibal.
“But they don’t have the intention or will power to bring in (an effective Lokpal), and say we want to run a parallel government.
“I don’t have the desire to pull down the government. Who will succeed it? If the present one has graduated in corruption, the next one will accomplish doctorate.
“But if the government fails to understand the language of the people, let it fall.
“Now is the time for the arrival of people with the characteristics of Chhatrapati Shivaji…I am a pauper, but people are behind me, and my ‘Adolan’ has turned into a family. It is against any one government, it will stand against all (successive) governments who indulge in corruption.
“Media is the 4th pillar of democracy, and its strength strengthens the democracy.
“I went to Rajghat to meditate and thought whether we got perfect freedom. Some people are eating to live while some others are living to eat as my eyes moistened with tears.
“Therefore, we want to do justice to the poor, who come to me for justice and I am helpless…Even people declined Rs 30 lakh to take ‘supari (contract killing) to kill me. Thoughts of committing suicide had flashed initially, but I can’t do that as what will the youth think of that act…it’s better to die fighting for the country and struggling for the poor.
“After three hours of thoughts at Rajghat, I did not get any answers, yet I am not mentally tired. I will get strength from the people who will shape the country (for the better).
“A total of 80 percent of our country’s population subsist on a paltry sum of Rs 20 per day while there is a section earning thousand rupees per day and even a crore. Is it not danger to Loksahi.
“The government, the industrialists and the goondas are trying to gag our voice, but they will fail to suppress us. Tomorrow I will go to the Park for my hunger strike where prohibitory orders are in place.
“I will sit at the very place where they will stop me. If they put me in jail I will fast there. If they let me off, I will again sit on hunger strike.
“If I am put in jail, I request people for “Jail Bharo Andolan”...Going to jail in connection with andolan is like jewel in the crown…but it should be non-violence, because the government will crush it as they have the power. Only non-violence can overpower their mite.”
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