Jan Lokpal Bill: Anna tells supporters to fight for Lokpal with or without him

NEW DELHI: Thronged by thousands of people, Gandhian Anna Hazare on Friday reached the Ramlila Maidan to continue his fast. Anna told his supporters to fight for Lokpal with or without him.

He urged the youth and the people of this country not to give up fight for strong Lokpal and called the fight against corruption as second fight of freedom.

Anna said he will continue to fast till the government relents.

Thousands of people, many of them school children, thronged the Ramlila Ground despite rains to support social activist Anna Hazare in his fight for a stringent anti-corruption law.

With the many tricolours, patriotic songs playing in the background and loud slogans and the sun playing hide and seek, it was like a carnival at the sprawling ground in central Delhi where Hazare will continue his fast that began Tuesday.

Anna Hazare visited Rajghat to pay respects to Mahatma Gandhi ahead of his protest fast at Ramlila Maidan.

Escorted by police and accompanied by a large number of people, Hazare reached the memorial from the back entrance at around 1:45 pm and remained there for about 20 minutes.

He came to Rajghat straight from Tihar Jail where he spent the past over 67 hours fasting.

The 73-year-old anti-corruption crusader bowed before the memorial after removing his Gandhi cap and shawl and paid floral tributes.

He did not go to India Gate as announced earlier. Supporters of Hazare were seen carrying the tri-colour on long wooden poles and aluminium rods as they entered Rajghat.

Kiran Bedi, who was overseeing the arrangements at Ramlila Ground, made regular requests to people to maintain calm and peace and wait for Hazare, who is expected to reach around 2 p.m. after paying tributes at Rajghat and India Gate.

Hazare had planned to begin his fast for a stronger Lokpal Bill at the J.P. Park in the ITO area here Tuesday.

Delhi Police imposed certain conditions before the protest could be allowed. Hazare refused to agree, after which the police detained him and his associates Tuesday.

He was sent to Tihar Jail and was subsequently released Tuesday night, but refused to leave the prison until he was allowed to carry on the fast without any conditions.

Hazare started with his fast Aug 16 inside Tihar Jail.