People's power triumphs, celebrations across
the country
Sunday August 28, 2011 08:25:59 PM,
IANS
|
New
Delhi:
An unparalleled 12-day movement that coalesced people across India
on the need to eradicate corruption and saw the political
establishment unite came to fruition Sunday with Anna Hazare
ending his 288-hour fast to euphoric cheers. Celebrations that
began since parliament accepted his demands continued nationwide.
Tens of thousands had packed into the sprawling Ramlila Maidan in
central Delhi, which had become the cynosure of national attention
since Aug 19 when 74-year-old Hazare moved from Tihar Jail to
continue his fast for a strong, anti-corruption legislation. And
many thousands more watched the historic moment unfold on their
television screens.
It was the hour of hyperbole and extravagant descriptives.
People's power had triumphed. A peaceful non-violent movement that
resonated across India had ended with parliament taking the first
step towards framing a strong anti-corruption legislation and
broadly agreeing to the key demands put forth by Hazare, a cult
hero with his anachronistic white kurta-pyjama and Gandhi cap.
"I am very happy that a movement of this enormity was non-violent.
You have set an example to the whole world," Hazare told the
wildly cheering crowd after accepting the coconut water-honey
mixture from two young girls - a Dalit and a Muslim.
"I am very happy that a movement of this enormity was non-violent.
You have set an example to the whole world," Hazare told the
wildly cheering crowd.
He led the crowd at Ramlila ground to take a pledge not to give a
bribe or ever take one. The cheers were deafening as thousands
vowed with him not to accept corruption in their lives.
The 74-year-old activist was admitted to hospital soon after he
broke his fast. His heart beat was above normal, the principal
doctor attending on him said Sunday.
"The heart rate is 94 which is more than normal (around 80). He is
very dehydrated and exhausted," said eminent cardiologist Naresh
Trehan, who monitored Hazare's health during the agitation.
Taken to the Medanta Medicity in Gurgaon, Hazare cautioned against
any complacency.
"I have just suspended the fast.. did not end it. The fight will
go on till parliament passes the Lokpal bill."
Doctors said he would be under observation for a couple of days.
The 74-year-old activist's fast, during which he only consumed
water and yet maintained high energy levels, has left many
surprised.
Trehan said it was Hazare's "inner power" that helped him sustain
for himself so long.
"He maintained himself, he had some power in him, through which he
could regulate his own fluids and has been able to maintain his
balance," he said.
"Medical science may not fully understand but it is 'brahmachari
shakti' and truly he has managed to live on his own reserves and
paid a price for it. He lost seven and a half kgs," the doctor
said.
Celebrations were seen in many parts of the country with many, who
had been fasting with Hazare since Aug 16 when he was arrested,
also calling off their hunger strike.
In cities and towns across India, sweets were distributed as
people danced and sang to celebrate the moment. Hundreds from
different walks of life assembled at fasting venues and smeared
each other with bright colours, describing the occasion as a
victory of democracy.
The nation, particularly the government of Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, heaved a collective sigh of relief at the resolution of the
major national crisis.
"Civil society should play an important role in country's politics
and political system. This movement was an example of this," Law
Minister Salman Khurshid said.
The main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called it the
triumph of the common man and a victory for parliamentary
democracy.
The prime minister Sunday met President Pratibha Patil and
discussed parliament's consensus resolution on the Lokpal bill as
demanded by Hazare to end his fast.
The meeting lasted for about half an hour, said a communique from
the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Thousands of jubilant Hazare supporters continued their
celebration at the historic India Gate in the national capital and
across the country.
At the India Gate, thousands of Anna supporters including men,
women and children danced to the tunes of patriotic songs and
waved the national flag.
They were joined by the usual weekend revellers at the venue.
"I am very happy. Anna is doing a great job. But the battle has
just started," said Sharmishtha Neogy, a 25 year old publishing
executive from Mumbai.
Vinod Sharma, who was doing a brisk business of selling candles to
Hazare's supporters, expressed concern over Hazare's health and
hoping the government will soon pass the Lokpal bill.
It had been an uneasy tightrope walk for most of the 12 days - and
since April when Hazare's five-day fast had led to the government
setting up a 10-member panel, including five members of civil
society, to set up a powerful institution of the Lokpal
(ombudsman).
As tension escalated with Hazare's deteriorating health, it took
many negotiations between the government and Team Anna to arrive
at a rapprochement. Finally, on Saturday, a special session of
parliament was called to debate the issue of corruption and the
Lokpal bill.
At the end of an intense debate, the opposition and government
showed rare unanimity on the parliament's prerogative to make laws
and agreed to an in-principle acceptance of Hazare's demands --
Lokayuktas in every state, citizen's charters for government
departments and inclusion of lower bureaucracy in the Lokpal's
ambit.
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Anna breaks fast, nation heaves sigh of relief
Anna Hazare ended his 12-day fast Sunday
morning before tens of thousands of cheering supporters at Ramlila
Maidan by sipping a glass of coconut water with honey offered to
him by two girls.
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