Hazare to fast again on Aug 16 in '2nd freedom struggle'

New Delhi, Jun 8: Calling it the 'Second Freedom struggle', Anna Hazare and fellow protestors raised the ante against corruption once again at the bustling and charged up crowd at Raj Ghat on Wednesday. They had gathered to protest on a one-day token fast against the brutal midnight crackdown at Baba Ramdev and his supporters at Ram Lila grounds.

With the group committed to wipe out corruption from the system, Anna Hazare raised some real uncomfortable issues plaguing the system and proclaimed that he will undertake a fast unto death once again on Aug 16 if the Lokpal Bill is not passed till that time. The venue will be Jantar Mantar.

With Rajghat resounding war cries, the spirited speech made by panellist's Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal let loose the tirade against various ills in the system. When Anna Hazare stood for his much-anticipated speech, he said that this was not for a discourse but said, "the second fight for Independence and we have to make sacrifices."

Speaking on the proposed fast on Aug 16 which is intended to force the government for implementing the Bill in a time-bound way he said, "if the government does not listen I shall fast till I breathe my last." On the need for peaceful protests, Anna warned anti-graft campaigners, "The government is very powerful, If we indulge in violence, it will give the government an excuse to quash the movement."

Hazare also spoke strongly on the governments attitude and chided, "The government has forgotten that people are the masters and not the government. They need to understand that we are one, not different."

Thousands of people across various cities in India have also begun fasting as a show of solidarity for Anna Hazare and his cause.

OneIndia News