Anna writes to PM; accuses govt of 'murdering' democracy

Peeved at being denied permission to hold an indefinite fast from August 16 on a venue desired by him, Anna Hazare today wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, accusing the government of "crushing" the fundamental rights of people.

In the strongly-worded letter, written in Hindi, Hazare charged the Government with suppressing those who raised their voice against corruption.

"Your Government is trying to crush those who raise their voice against corruption. This is happening more often in your Government," Hazare said in his letter.

Noting that he was not given permission to hold fast at the venues sought by him, without any proper reason assigned, Hazare questioned, "Whether all this does not give the impression of dictatorship?"

"Does it behove of you to crush the fundamental rights of people by murdering democracy and violating the Constitution? People say your government is the most corrupt government since independence, though I am of the view that every successive government is more corrupt than the previous one."

He also questioned the police permission given to the Civil Society group to hold Hazare's fast only for three days, adding that no reasons were cited for this.

Hazare accused the Government of finding excuses to deny permission to his proposed indefinite fast.

Citing such instances, he said, "Earlier we were not given permission for our fast at Jantar Mantar on the pretext that we would occupy the whole area and not leave any space for others to protest."