By P. Vijian
NEW DELHI (NNN-Bernama) -- India drove into a jubilant mood on Sunday, as veteran social activist Anna Hazare ended his 13-day hunger strike when Parliament acceded to his key demands of an anti-graft bill. About 10am, he broke his fast, sipped just coconut water mixed with honey, at the Ramlila ground in Delhi, where he led a strong campaign against nagging corruption.
"I suspended my fast temporarily, the fight will go on. We have only won half the battle...we have to keep fighting to bring changes in society," he told a large, flag-waving cheering crowd.
He was later driven to hospital for medical check up.
Hazare, 74, began his fast on Aug 16 after police jailed the activist just hours before his planned indefinite hunger strike, fearing it would create law and order problems in the capital.
It was a major sign of victory for the social activist and his civil society team which drafted and relentlessly lobbied to push for the long-delayed anti-graft bill, 'Jan Lokpal' (Citizen Ombudsman), initiated nearly four decades ago.
Following several parleys in Parliament until late Saturday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and its main opposition, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reached a compromise on the tough law.
Parliamentarians agreed to consider Hazare's three contentious demands -- anti-graft ombudsman in all states, including lower bureaucracy under Lokpal, and institute citizens' charter.
Once the bill is passed, the anti-graft body would have omnipotent powers to even probe the judiciary and prime minister, eventually all under the ambit of the Lokpal.
For weeks, India was gripped with anti-corruption fever, after the clean-image Gandhian-styled Hazare initiated a non-violent protest that caught the imagination of millions of Indians who rallied alongside him.
Cities and villages suffused with anti-bribery mood and support swelled for the former soldier, with victory marches, new-born babies named Anna and a temple specially dedicated to him, built in Madhya Pradesh.
But in his homestate in Maharasthra, a 33-year-old woman committed suicide, fearing for Hazare's health. In Bihar, a middle-aged man who attempted self-immolation is still in critical condition, reports BERNAMA
Meanwhile KUNA in its report titled "India''s anti-graft activist Anna Hazare breaks his fast” says:
India's crusader against widespread corruption in the country - Anna Hazare broke his 13-day long fast this morning in New Delhi amidst presence of thousands of his supporters at Ramlila Ground - the venue of his fast.
Anna began his fast on August 16. Two small kids offered coconut water and honey to Anna to break his fast.
Later, he was shifted to a hospital for next couple of days where he would be kept under supervision and given necessary medication.
Anna's fast-breaking ceremony was telecast live by all TV channels and watched by millions of people across the country.
Addressing his followers after breaking his fast, Anna appealed to everyone to give up corruption in daily life by neither giving nor accepting bribe.
He also vowed to travel to every nook and corner of the country to spread this message.
Breaking his fast after 290 hours, Anna said that this was just a half-battle won and that there was a long way to go to bring out more reforms in the Indian society to make it corruption free.
Last night, after a debate lasting more than nine hours, both the Houses of Indian Parliament had passed resolutions supporting Anna's demand for Lokpal (Ombudsman) who would look into complaints of corruption against one and all, including the Prime Minister, Members of Parliament and the Judiciary.
Copies of resolutions were sent to Anna and his team, after which the latter decided to end Anna's fast on Sunday morning at 10.00 am (local time), reports KUNA.
-- NNN-KUNA-BERNAMA
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