Mangalore, August 12: “August 16, 2011 will mark the second freedom struggle in India” said veteran Gandhian and social activist Anna Hazre. Expressing strong discontent over the government's version of the anti-graft Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare vowed to go on fast Aug 16, 2011 calling it the country's “second freedom struggle”.
“It looks like the government is not willing to eradicate corruption. This is our best chance to take affirmative steps to eradicate corruption in our country. We call upon the citizens of Mangalore to support Anna Hazare's “Second Freedom Struggle” to free the country from all sorts of corruption and corrupt practices,” said a release issued by D K Anti-corruption Forum.
“The government has cheated the entire nation by clearing the draft of the Lokpal Bill that excludes very important clauses of the Jan Lokpal Bill drafted by the Anna Hazare team. The Prime Minister, the Chief Justice and the members of parliament for their actions inside the house are excluded from the ambit of the Lokpal Bill that was placed in the Parliament recently,” the release said.
“We believe the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal bill. All states should have Lokayukta (ombudsman) with prosecuting power. The government team had projected readiness to Team Anna Hazare and people's draft. But the government has tabled a Lokpal Bill that falls short of citizen's expectations in their interest and actions in curbing corruption,” it stated.
“Anna Hazare and his supporters feel that they are left with no option but to go on indefinite fast from August 16, 2011. In support and solidarity of 'Jan Lokpal Bill' and Anna's fight against corruption, we the citizens of Mangalore have decided to sit on fast in solidarity from 10 AM to 6 PM, August 16, 2011 at the entrance of the Deputy Commissioner's office, State Bank circle, Mangalore”, it said.
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