Ralegan Siddhi:
Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare today lashed out at the UPA government for arresting him before his fast and asked people not to allow the torch of the second "battle of Independence" to be extinguished as more "repeated shocks" can only ensure a corruption-free India.
"This government consists of a mob of '
labaad' (cunning) people. They did not allow me to fast and issued prohibitory orders at all the
maidans in Delhi. When they gave permission for the J P Park, there were a lot of pre-conditions," Mr Hazare told the
gram sabha of his village at a public felicitation.
The success of his recent agitation, he said, proved that the government had to bow down to people's wishes. "We have to give such repeated shocks to ensure there is a corruption-free India," he said.
Mr Hazare urged the people, especially the youth not to allow the torch of second "battle of Independence" to be extinguished. "After 64 years of independence from the British rule, nothing has changed in this country. The whites have been replaced by black. Loot, corruption and terrorism is rampant. What have we achieved," he asked.
"I was picked up by Delhi Police from the house I was staying in. When I asked the reason for my arrest, I was told that I may breach public peace. However, in two hours, I was told that I am being released. Two hours ago, the police feared I may spoil the peace in the society. The police said they had orders from above," Mr Hazare said and described Union Home Minister P Chidambaram as a "
khodsal" (mischievous) person.