Former Chief Justice explains why Anna must end fast

New Delhi:  "As a concerned citizen in national interest I have been closely observing the developments relating to the fast undertaken by Anna Hazare which has now reached at a critical stage. The Prime Minister's statement made in the Lok Sabha today assuring discussion of the Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by the Anna team along with all versions of the Lokpal Bill prepared by Ms. 

Aruna Roy, Jayaprakash Narayan and any other section of the civil society ending with his appeal to Anna Hazare to end his fast, was adopted unanimously by the House at the behest of the Lok Sabha Speaker. 



This is a very positive development whereby all political parties cutting across party lines led by the Leader of the Opposition unanimously adopted this Resolution and urged Anna Hazare to end his fast forthwith. In my view there is no justification at least now for the continuance of the fast undertaken by Anna Hazare and I appeal to him to end his fast forthwith in keeping with the national sentiment and concern for his health; and I would advise the members of his team to persuade to do so without any delay. I am sure the concern of all the members of his team would be the same which has already been indicated by Justice Santosh Hegde making such an appeal even earlier. They being closest to him are in a position to prevail upon him to end his fast.

I am afraid, continuation of the present impasse with Anna Hazare's fast may not appear reasonable and may even appear to be a disrespect for the national sentiment as well as for the democratic polity, including that of the Parliament and the Constitution. I do hope that situation does not arise and to prevent that is the primary responsibility of the members of the Anna Hazare team who have been continuously advising him.

I therefore join the nation in appealing to Anna Hazare to end his fast forthwith so that he is available for the national service for many more years to come. In my view this is the call of the nation required to be honoured by Anna Hazare and his entire team."