Hazare not to fast-unto-death, will go on indefinite strike

New Delhi, Aug 18: Anna Hazare will continue his fast till his health permits and there is no perceived threat to his life, his associate Kiran Bedi said today (Aug 18), stressing that his protest is an indefinite hunger strike and "not a fast-unto-death".

While indicating that there will be no confrontation with government over the issue of providing medical attention to the Gandhian, Bedi said they do not view the agreement over Hazare's agitation as a victory for one side and defeat for the other.

"As long as he can fast, he'll continue the fast. But the moment Dr Naresh Trehan's team is of the view that he needs medical attention, he will get medical attention because the object is that it is an indefinite fast and not a fast-unto- death.

"He will fast as long as he can sustain it, he will fast as long as there is no threat to his life," Bedi said, adding the protest by Hazare was not just a fast but also a dharna.

Bedi said the issue was linked with Hazare's health and that was why government doctors and physicians of their choice -- a team of doctors monitored by Trehan -- will monitor his health.

"His health cannot be allowed to deteriorate," she said.

Asked whether they saw the government climbdown as a victory of the civil society, she said, "It is all about finding a middle path. We heard them, they heard us and finally that was the way to begin."

PTI