Government 'defaming' Lokpal movement: Hazare

Ahmednagar (Maha), Jun 13: Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare today (JUne 13) accused the office bearers of Congress and union ministers of intentionally "defaming" the Lokpal movement.

"They (the government) making a lot of allegations, including the so-called hidden support and political agenda designed by RSS and BJP, is a sheer humiliation of sentiments of common Indians. They are trying to demoralise and confuse agitators fighting against corruption and this proves insensitivity of government," Hazare told PTI here.

Hazare also said that he had written a letter to Sonia Gandhi to draw her attention towards the "mudslinging" ahead of the next meeting of the Joint Drafting Committee on Lokpal Bill in Delhi.

The anti-corruption crusader, who turns 74 on June 15, was felicitated here by an NGO last evening.

While expressing his resolve to start hunger strike if the Centre fails to enact the Lokpal bill within the stipulated time, Hazare said, "No one can stop the emerging social and political change in India. Now people have realised that they have to become agents of change and must not rely only on leaders and political parties."

He also reiterated his resolve to start hunger strike if the government goes back on its commitment on the Lokpal Bill.

The civil society activists, led by the Gandhian, had last Monday boycotted the meeting of the Joint Drafting Committee on Lokpal Bill saying that the government's intentions raised serious doubts about having a strong anti-corruption watchdog while protesting against the police crackdown on yoga guru Ramdev.

PTI