Anna pulls up Govt. for trying to curtail freedom of people

New Delhi, July 25 (ANI): Veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday hit out at the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre for trying to curtail the freedom of the people, as his associates sat on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar here to press for a strong and effective Lokpal Bill.

"This is a way to murder democracy. What is the difference between the rule of the colonial British and this Central Government? It is acceptable to say that the Indian President holds the country's most coveted office and when as he takes oath to office, we can address the media after that. But asking us not to speak out at all is not right," he told mediapersons here.

Before reaching the protest venue, Hazare and his team members went to Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

Hazare said that his team would pray for the Central Government in the cause of good governance.

"We are going to visit the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi to pray for some 'Sadbudhi' (right path) for the federal government in context of the Lokpal Bill. One and a half years have passed since the government has been betraying us. We are not asking anything for our personal gain, this is the question of the country's people," he said.

Meanwhile, Arvind Kejriwal termed the protest as the final combat with the Central Government over the formation of strong anti-graft bill.

"The final war against corruption is starting from today, because over the past one year, the federal government has betrayed us on several occasions. This time, we are not going to fall for their false assurances, and will only end this movement after finding a final solution to this issue," he told mediapersons before sitting on the fast.

Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai, are presently sitting on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar here.

Hazare has served an ultimatum that he will wait for the government to take a decision on their demands in the next four days, or else he will join his colleagues on fast from Sunday.

Team Anna has got permission to fast at Jantar Mantar till August 8, the day the Monsoon Session of Parliament is expected to begin.

Team Anna has announced the indefinite protest against the UPA Government and its failure to enact a strong Lokpal as well as not setting up a special investigation team to probe corruption charges. (ANI)