By IANS,
New Delhi : Veteran social activist Anna Hazare Monday said he is starting a fast unto death to press for the demand to involve civil society in formulation of the anti-graft Lokpal (ombudsman) Bill.
“I will fast unto death, as announced earlier as the prime minister has refused to form a joint committee with civil society members in it for the formulation of the Lokpal Bill. Even if I lose my life, I will have no regret, my life is dedicated to the nation,” Hazare said at a press meet here.
The Magsaysay Award winner activist, along with others, will go to Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat at 9.00 a.m. Tuesday morning, after which the activists will stage a march from India Gate to the Jantar Mantar, where Hazare will begin his fast.
Activists also called upon the nation to join the fast.
“I appeal to the nation to join the hunger strike, and support this anti-corruption movement,” said activist Arvind Kejriwal, who along with former Supreme Court judge Santosh Hegde, and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan drafted the Jan Lokpal Bill, the civil society’s alternate to the government drafted bill.