Anna Hazare ends fast after Centre’s assurance on demands

Social activist Anna Hazare, who has been on hunger strike in New Delhi since March 23, on Thursday ended his fast at Ramlila Maidan, saying he has been assured by the Union government that a Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in the States would be appointed soon.

Mr. Hazare gave the government time till August to come good on its assurance and warned that he will resume his protest in September if his demands were not conceded by then.

The 80-year-old anti-corruption activist’s other demand this time has been better prices for farmers for their yield.

“They [the government] have assured us that they will make the appointments as soon as possible. I will see till August and we will begin again in September. It should be done within a time frame. [Maharashtra] Chief Minister [Devendra] Fadnavis has said that it will not even take six months, we will see,” Mr. Hazare said.

“Sarkar aur janta alag nahi hoti…sarkar ka kaam hai janta ki bhalai, desh ki bhalai…aese andolan ki naubat nahi aani chahiye [the government and the public are not separate. The government’s job is to do what is good for the people and the country. Things should not come to such a pass that protests are needed],” he said.