India’s eminent anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare was arrested on government order this morning by the police, hours before he was to start a fast-unto-death demanding a new and effective law against corruption. However, true to their resolution, Hazare and 5 of his close associates including Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, have started their fast at 10 am, even in police custody.
Ambika Soni, the federal minister of Information and Broadcasting, has, in a statement to the media, defended the police action. According to the minister, the arrest was necessary to maintain law and order.
However, the arrest has sent shockwaves through the country and thousands of people in cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Lucknow have already started coming out on the street against the arrest, calling it unlawful and a clear violation of civil rights.
Civil Society organization leaders as well as leaders of other political parties have condemned the arrest. Several are equating the government action to ‘emergency’. (The infamous state of emergency was declared in 1975 by the then prime minister Indira Gandhi under Article 352 of the Constitution of India which suspended elections and civil liberties. During the 21-month emergency period, thousands of political and social leaders were thrown into jail and press freedom was curtailed. Citizens of India had overwhelmingly voted against the government at the general election after the emergency was over. )
The number of the protesters is expected to swell to millions as civil rights groups across the country are planning to show their support to Hazare and team. On the pipeline is peaceful non-cooperation, taking leave off work and courting arrest en-masse.
Anna Hazare, a 74-year old social activist doesn’t belong to any political party. He has been hailed as India’s second Mahatma Gandhi for his clean image, dedication to the cause of a strong and prosperous India which has attracted millions of Indians across all classes and religions.
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