File photo of social activist Anna Hazare
Social activist Anna Hazare will go on an indefinite hunger strike at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on October 2 over the Land Acquisition Bill and One Rank One Pension issue.
The activist told reporters at his native village Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra, "I will launch the fast at Ramlila ground in Delhi on October 2."
An ex-serviceman himself, Mr Hazare had joined the Indian Army in 1963 and served for 15 years as a soldier. He was posted to several key states including Jammu-Kashmir, Assam, Sikkim, Bhutan and Mizoram and even served in the India Pakistan war of 1965.
Earlier, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the activist wrote, "We have to take care of our soldiers and farmers. Making hollow announcements for their welfare and actually implementing them are different things."
Mr Hazare is also likely to honour war widows and mothers of martyred defence personnel in Delhi on the occasion of 'Shaheed Din' on July 26.
Retired Army personnel are holding protests in 55 spots across India, demanding that the central government to set a date for the implementation of the scheme. The government has earlier said it was committed to OROP and has set aside Rs. 8300 crore for its implementation, but has refused to specify a timeline.
The Centre has also been under fire from the opposition and activists over the changes to the land acquisition bill, terming them as "anti-farmer". They are demanding the reintroduction of the consent clause in acquisition of land, claiming that its absence will expose farmers to immense risk.