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Confrontation between Team Anna and Delhi police ends as Anna Hazare gets permission for two weeks of fasting. Yahoo! India brings you the latest updates.
Are you attending a protest? Mail us your experience and photos from the protest atindiaeditors@yahoo.in and we will publish it.9: 00 pm: Anna fights enemy; Bapu tried to reform him: great-grandson
Mahatma Gandhi's great grandson Tushar has said there is a difference in the way the two leaders have used fasting as an instrument of protest.
He feels while for the Mahatma, fasting was a means to "reform an adversary", in the case of Hazare, a self-professed Gandhian, it was like targeting an "enemy".
"Hazare's fast is different because Bapu's fast was to reform an adversary into a friend, while Anna's fast is against an enemy. It is like a me versus you kind of thing," he said. Full story on Indian Express
8: 32 pm: 'I will not stop fighting till I get Lokpal', says Hazare
Asserting that he is overwhelmed with the support of the youth, veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday said that he will continue his fast till all the demands are met.
In his first video message from inside the Tihar Jail, Hazare said: "I am in good health and will continue the fight. Don't worry about my health. I have even more energy to fight this battle. Our youngsters, when I see them raising slogans, I get even more charged up."
"If Lokpal is not passed in 15 days, I will take one more week. People are fed up of corruption. The nation is outraged due to rampant corruption. This is India's second freedom struggle. The people of the country have realised that no work can be done without paying bribe," he added. Read more here
8: 30 pm: Government should bring new Lokpal bill: Shanti Bhushan
Urging the government to draft a new Lokpal bill after consulting Anna Hazare, former law minister Shanti Bhushan Thursday said the fact that the government agreed to the Gandhian's demands shows that Team Anna was always reasonable. More
8: 00 pm: Permission to fast at Ramlila Maidan is half battle won: Patkar
Noted social activist Medha Patkar on Thursday said the granting of permission to the civil society team headed by anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare to go with the protest at Ramlila Maidan is only half the battle won.
Patkar, who came to the spotlight following her Narmada Bachao Andolan movement, further said that the main issue, which still remains is that an effective Lokpal Bill is formulated and implemented.More
7: 30 pm: Graft-hit Yeddyurappa drops plan to support Hazare
Scam-hit former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa Thursday backed out of his plan to stage an indefinite 'dharna' (sit-in) to support social activist Anna Hazare's anti-graft campaign reportedly after being pulled up by his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.
Yeddyurappa, who quit July 31 after being indicted by Lokayukta (ombudsman) for graft in illegal mining, Wednesday announced that he would launch indefinite 'dharna' near Mahamta Gandhi statue in Bangalore city centre to support Hazare's campaign against corruption. More
7: 00 pm: Harassment and obscenity in times of a people's movement
Even as support for Gandhian Anna Hazare's movement against corruption touches monumental heights, there's been a consequent flipside. A number of people have been complaining of some fringe elements in the movement creating a nuisance -- harassing and misbehaving with women, raising vulgar slogans and picking pockets.
Shanta Sharma, a student of Delhi University, said that she was harassed by a group of men returning from a protest site Wednesday evening.
'My friend and I were on our way back to the hostel from Connaught Place... we deboarded the metro at GTB Nagar station and were shocked to hear loud whistles and some nasty comments,' Sharma said. More
6: 30 pm: US not involved in Anna agitation: Senator McCain
Arizona Senator and ex-presidential candidate Senator John McCain has said the United States has no involvement in the Anna Hazare agitation.
Reacting to an allegation levelled by Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi, McCain told reporters here: "People are entitled to their opinions and their views, but there really is one set of facts. People are not entitled to the facts. The fact is that the US does not involve itself in what is taking place in the world's largest democracy, that is a fact, and, nor does the US intend to." More
6: 00 pm: How powerful is Anna Hazare on Facebook and Twitter?
Social activist Anna Hazare and his movement 'India Against Corruption' (IAC) has become significantly powerful on social media, especially on Facebook and Twitter.
More than 150 Facebook pages related to 'Anna Hazare' and 'India Against Corruption' have emerged in the last few months. Surprisingly, majority of these pages seem to be created by various enthusiasts, who do not form the part of Anna's official team.
For instance, one of the page titled, 'Join Anna Hazare's Fast To Bring the Jan Lokpal Bill' (Facebook.com/joinanna), created by a Mumbai-based Facebook user named 'Mohammed Zaid Shaikh', is followed/liked by more than 38,000 users. Read the full story on afaqs!
5: 30 pm: What is the Jan Lokpal Bill, why it's important
The Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's ombudsman Bill) is a draft anti-corruption bill drawn up by prominent civil society activists seeking the appointment of a Jan Lokpal, an independent body that would investigate corruption cases, complete the investigation within a year and envisages trial in the case getting over in the next one year.
Drafted by Justice Santosh Hegde (former Supreme Court Judge and former Lokayukta of Karnataka), Prashant Bhushan (Supreme Court Lawyer) and Arvind Kejriwal (RTI activist), the draft Bill envisages a system where a corrupt person found guilty would go to jail within two years of the complaint being made and his ill-gotten wealth being confiscated. It also seeks power to the Jan Lokpal to prosecute politicians and bureaucrats without government permission. Read the full story on NDTV
5: 00 pm: Anna Hazare to fast till his health permits: Kiran Bedi
Anna Hazare will continue his fast till his health permits and there is no perceived threat to his life, his associate Kiran Bedi said on Thursday, stressing that his protest is an indefinite hunger strike and "not a fast-unto-death". While indicating that there will be no confrontation with government over the issue of providing medical attention to the Gandhian, Bedi said they do not view the agreement over Hazare's agitation as a victory for one side and defeat for the other. More on Hindustan Times
4: 30 pm: Case against Hazare for insult to tricolour
A case was filed in a Bihar court Thursday against social activists Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal for allegedly insulting the national flag during a reality television show, officials said.
The case was filed in the court of chief judicial magistrate in Muzaffarpur by lawyer Sudhir Kumar Ojha. Read
4: 00 pm: UPA Govt. owes apology to Anna Hazare: Subramanian Swamy
Stating that the treatment meted out to Anna Hazare was totally wrong, Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy on Thursday said the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre should apologise to the anti-graft crusader for putting him and his supporters behind bars.
"This kind of treatment was totally wrong. Our name internationally is being spoilt. There is no use blaming other countries for making allegations that Anna Hazare is supported by America and all that," Swamy told mediapersons in Chennai. More
3: 30 pm: Anna fever may grip Pakistan too: daily
The time may have come for an Anna Hazare type campaign against corruption in Pakistan, the Dawn newspaper said Thursday.
An editorial in the mass circulation paper said that parallels can be drawn between India and Pakistan on the issue of corruption.
'Pakistan is perceived as corrupt not just by the public mindset but also in the findings of international watchdogs that keep track of such matters,' it said. Full story
3: 00 pm: Anna and his cause dominate cyber world
With updates every minute on everything related to the social activist, ranging from his whereabouts or details about his agitation, to full-fledged discussions on his cause on social networking sites, the virtual world is abuzz with Anna Hazare.
On Twitter, the updates are simply pouring in - with scores of tweets every second.
Akhil Master posted: 'I believe the Jan Lokapl bill can bring a lot of change in the country. I am with Anna Hazare'. More
2: 30 pm: Medical aid for Hazare's supporters at Ramlila ground
A team of doctors from the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) would provide medical help to thousands of people who will fast with Anna Hazare at Ramlila ground where the Gandhian would continue his indefinite strike from Friday. More
2: 00 pm: Whose 'foreign hand' behind Hazare? asks Opposition
Opposition parties demanded that the government clarify what were the 'foreign forces' it alleged to be behind Anna Hazare's movement against corruption.
'Congress statement in not only bad but mad,' BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters outside parliament.
In his statement on Hazare's arrest, Prime Minister Singh had said: 'There are many forces that would not like to see India realize its true place in the comity of nations. We must not play into their hand.'More
1: 30 pm: Permission for Anna's fast conditional: Home secretary
Anna Hazare has been given a permission to hold a hunger strike till Sep 2 with certain conditions relevant to the venue for the protest, Home Secretary R.K. Singh said Thursday. 'I believe the decision is that they have been given permission to the 2nd of September on the usual terms and conditions,' Singh told reporters here, adding the decision was taken after discussions between Delhi Police and Hazare's aides. More
1:00 pm: Hazare to remain in Tihar till Ramlila ground is ready: Kejriwal
Civil society activist Arvind Kejriwal said veteran social activist Anna Hazare will leave Tihar Jail only when the Ramlila ground is ready.
Talking to reporters outside Tihar, Kejriwal said: "The Ramlila ground is being prepared. Only when it is ready to go, will Anna come out of Tihar Jail. As things stand today, the MCD has to prepare the grounds since it is full of muck. The ground has to be made ready, because if the crowd reaches Ramlila grounds before we reach, it will be difficult to set up tents for them." More
12:30 pm: Ramlila ground gets set for Anna Hazare
Crowds began swelling at Ramlila ground as hundreds of supporters gathered in preparation for Gandhian activist Anna Hazare's 15-day fast to demand a more effective Lokpal Bill.
'The minute Ramila ground is prepared, Anna will take over. Right now the MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) is cleaning the grounds, the stage is being set,' Hazare's aide Arvind Kejriwal told reporters outside Tihar Jail where the activist is lodged. Full story
11:50 am: We're not trying to destabilise India through Hazare's movement: US
The United States government has rejected reports coming out of India that it has had a role to play in destabilizing that country during the anti-corruption campaign launched by socialist and civil activist Anna Hazare. IE has the story
11:30 am: Meet the lesser-known faces of the Anna movement
An RTI application to improve canteen services in the Delhi University six years ago set Bibhav Kumar on a path that has now made him part of a team supporting Anna. DNA has the story
11:00 am: Inspired by Anna, Pakistani to fast against corruption
Taking a cue from Anna Hazare, a 68-year-old Pakistani businessman is set to go on hunger strike in Islamabad from Sep 12 to declare war on endemic corruption in his country.
Expressing his admiration for Hazare, Jehangeeer Akhtar complained that corruption was a far more serious disease in Pakistan.
Activist Akhtar wants the Pakistan parliament to pass an anti-corruption law -- like what India is now planning. 'I demand that an anti-corruption bill be presented in the National Assembly,' said Akhtar, who has closely followed the anti-corruption war in India. Read more
10:30 am: Anna Hazare arrest: Global bank VP on 'fasting leave' from Hong Kong
Checkered shorts and a Gandhi topi is a fashion felony. But 29-year-old Shailesh Saraf doesn't care; he has never blindly followed a popular trend. Currently on "FL or fasting leave", Saraf, a vice president of a global bank, is down from Hong Kong to campaign for the Jan Lokpal bill. TOI has the full story
10:00 am: Jan Lokpal Bill: Indians overseas join the Anna Hazare movement
One might think that Raghava Reddy Solipuram, sitting in faraway Houston in Texas, US, has no idea of the Jan Lokpal bill nor the need to join the Anna Hazare movement. But Raghava thinks differently. An IT consultant from Hyderabad who has been living in Houston since the last three years, Raghava is a key organiser of an anti-corruption movement by Indians in Texas city. Read the full story on ET
9:30 am: Delhi Police relent; to allow Hazare to fast for 14 days without preconditions
Bowing to public pressure, Delhi Police said they had withdrawn virtually all preconditions for the hunger strike to be held by Gandhian and social activist Anna Hazare and his team in the national capital.
According to former senior police officer Kiran Bedi, Hazare will emerge out of Tihar Jail this afternoon and reach the Ram Lila Ground at around 3 p.m. He and his team will be allowed to continue their fast for 14 days without restrictions on the number of protesters. Here is the full story
9:00 am: Find out source of Hazare's funds, Congress to government
The Congress asked the government to probe the source of funds of social activist Anna Hazare's massive anti-corruption crusade and also wondered why the US suddenly chose to remark on the movement. Full story
8:30 am: Anna-mauled govt gets salve in LS
The government appeared to have convinced the Lok Sabha that Anna Hazare's demand for accepting only his team's draft for the Lokpal bill was unconstitutional, but was severely criticised for its handling of his campaign. Read more
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17th August, 2011
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9:40 pm: Anna Hazare to stay in Tihar jail
Hectic negotiations were on to break the logjam in Tihar jail from where Anna Hazare has refused to come out despite the govt climbing down on issues like the venue and period of protest over which it had put stiff conditions. There were reports that agreement was reached between the two sides on Ramlila ground as the venue for Anna's fast, PTI reports.
9:30 pm: Congress suspects 'foreign hand' behind Anna Hazare fast
Suspecting a "foreign" hand behind Anna Hazare's anti-graft movement, the Congress on Wednesday raised questions on the US' statement that India should exercise "appropriate democratic restraint" in dealing with peaceful protest and asked the government to inquire how a "lone" civil rights activist is drawing support. Times of India has the story
9:20 pm: No mobile, TV for Hazare in jail, says activists
Anna Hazare and his aides in Tihar Jail, though freed Tuesday night, are not allowed by the jail authorities to use mobile phones or watch TV, according to activists.
Hazare and his team were freed Tuesday night, but have refused to leave the jail premises till they are allowed to freely hold, without any conditions, a fast for a strong Lokpal Bill.
'Even though the police claim he is free now, Hazare and other activists are not allowed to use their mobile phones,' said an activist, Aswathi Muralidharan.
9:15 pm: PM's statement on Hazare disappointing: Nitish
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Wednesday said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement in parliament regarding the police action against anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare was 'disappointing'.
'PM Singh has disappointed me and all by his statement in parliament,' Kumar said.
Earlier in the day, Manmohan Singh had said: 'The path he (Anna) has chosen to impose his draft of a bill upon parliament is totally misconceived and fraught with grave consequences for our parliamentary democracy.'
Nitish Kumar said that it was not expected from the prime minister as he is considered above petty politics.
'It is beyond comprehension what threat the movement launched by Hazare has to the government. Everybody has the right to protest democratically in a non-violent way,' he said.
9:10 pm: Photos: India protests against Anna's detention
9:00 pm: No wrongdoing in Anna’s arrest: Chidambaram
Insisting that there was no wrongdoing in the arrest of Anna Hazare, Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday said the government would deal with him "administratively and politically" but made it clear that his Jan Lokpal Bill was not acceptable. Hindu has the story
8:30 pm: More support poured in Himachal Pradesh for the anti-graft crusade of social activist Anna Hazare.
A number of bar associations, including the Shimla Bar Association, staged protests across the state while lawyers abstained from work.
Activists of the Anti-Terrorist Front also organised demonstrations here. They marched to the main town while carrying placards and banners in support of Hazare.
8:00 pm: Team Anna still talking with GovernmentStating that veteran social activist Anna Hazare will not come out of the Tihar Jail right now, civil society activist Kiran Bedi said the consultations over the venue of fast are still going on with the government.
Addressing thousands of supporters, who have assembled outside the Tihar Jail here, Kiran Bedi said: "It will take time for Anna to come out. The place of Anna's fast and protest over the Lokpal Bill has not been finalized yet. We are looking at the modalities involved, the negotiations are in the final phase."
Stating that Anna Hazare will come outside from the Prison Headquarters Gate, she urged Anna's supporters to move from outside the Tihar Jail gates.
"Anna will come outside from the Prison Headquarters Gate. I urge you to move from outside the gates here. It is creating a lot of problems for the other prisoners inside the jail, as the vehicles with milk and other items of daily use come through this way," she said.
7:30 pm: Thousands of people supporting Anna Hazare and his demand for a strong Lokpal Bill gathered at India Gate in Delhi and proceeded towards Jantar Mantar.
'Around 1.5 lakh people have gathered at India Gate to support Anna Hazare and his cause for corruption-free India. People are still gathering at India Gate and marching from there towards Jantar Mantar,' said an activist from India Against Corruption.
7:00 pm: Team Anna, police stuck on negotiating fast period
Team Anna and Delhi Police were stuck on negotiations over the number of days for the planned fast of Anna Hazare to push for a strong Lokpal Bill, civil society activist Kiran Bedi said.
'We are still negotiating with the government over holding the fast. We want one month, but the government (is) giving us less number of days,' Bedi, a key confidante of Hazare, told reporters. More
6: 30 pm: Govt-Anna talks still onDelhi Police allow Anna to fast at Ramlila Maidan for 7 days on extendable basis-- CNN IBN.
Kiran Bedi says talks with the police are still on. She also said Anna won't leave Tihar yet-- NDTV.
5: 20 pm: Anti-graft rally begins from India Gate.
4: 50 pm: Crowds outside Tihar Jail wait for Anna’s appearance
There was a sense of anticipation outside Tihar Central Jail here on Wednesday afternoon where hundreds of Anna Hazare’s supporters had gathered early, waiting for the anti-corruption crusader and his associates to come out.
The crowds gathered outside the gate of the Director General (Prisons) office shouted slogans, waved the national flag and demanded the passing of the Jan Lokpal Bill. Several banners conveyed the anger felt by the supporters of Mr. Hazare, especially towards the manner in which he was picked up from Mayur Vihar on Tuesday morning. Full story on the Hindu
4: 15 pm: Jail is the new epicentre of anti-graft protests: Sisodia
Manish Sisodia, a close aide of social activist Anna Hazare said that in the absence of government permission to hold protests at a public park, they would turn the jail into the new epicentre of their anti-graft protests. Full story
4:10 pm: Anna supporters stop Janta Express train at Pratapgarh-- CNN IBN.
3:40 pm: Team Anna Hazare ready to shift fast venue to Ramlila Maidan but only if they're allowed to protest for a month.
3:35 pm: However, according to NDTV, Team Anna is not accepting Delhi Police's offer of a 5-day fast. Anna and his supporters want a one month permit.
3:30 pm: The protest venue has shifted from JP Park to Ramlila Maidan, reports CNN IBN.
3:25 pm: Anna Hazare not coming out of jail as of now, says Manish Sisodia.
3:20 pm: Full text of PM Manmohan Singh's statement in Parliament
"Hon'ble Speaker,
It is my painful duty to report to this House certain events that took place yesterday in New Delhi. Hon'ble Members are aware that after extensive consultations and discussions, including deliberations in a Joint Drafting Committee and a meeting of all political parties represented in Parliament, the Government has introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha on the setting up of Lok Pal. The Bill has been referred to the Standing Committee concerned.
Notwithstanding the introduction of the Bill, Shri Anna Hazare and his supporters have persisted with their demand that the Jan Lok Pal Bill drafted by Shri Anna Hazare should be introduced in Parliament and that the Jan Lok Pal Bill should be the Bill that must be passed by Parliament. In support of this demand, Shri Anna Hazare had announced some time ago that he would undertake an indefinite fast beginning August 16, 2011.
On August 2, 2011, an application was made to Delhi Police by an organisation called India Against Corruption for permission to hold a month-long fast beginning August 16, 2011 at New Delhi. Delhi Police held discussions with the applicants in order to identify a suitable place and to formulate the conditions under which the permission could be granted for holding a fast at that place. Eventually, on August 13, 2011, Delhi Police informed the applicants that permission would be granted for the protest at Jai Prakash Narayan Park, near Ferozshah Kotla, subject to permission being granted by the land owning agency and subject to certain conditions.
Hindustan Times has the complete text of the Prime Minister's statement.
3:10 pm: Scores of protestors on Wednesday defied prohibitory orders imposed at Jai Prakash Narain Park, the proposed venue of Anna Hazare’s agitation, to express solidarity with Anna, PTI reports.
2:55 pm: Anna Hazare likely to leave Tihar soon
Anna Hazare is likely to leave Tihar soon and head to Jaiprakash Narain Park to continue his fast, NDTV reports.
2:40 pm: Jaitley slams PM's statement on Hazare issue
Criticising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement in Parliament on social activist Anna Hazare, leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley said India is exasperated with corruption and the ways of this government.
"The Prime Minister in his statement has posed a question...as to who drafts the laws and who makes the laws of this country. I don't think there is a serious debate inside or outside the House on this. I am left wondering as to who really runs this country, " Jaitley said.
"I don't think there is a serious debate inside or outside the House on this. I am left wondering as to who really runs this country," he added.
2:23 pm: Kiran Bedi, Swami Agnivesh meet Anna in Tihar
Anna Hazare's close aides, including Kiran Bedi and Swami Agnivesh, Wednesday met the civil society leader in the Tihar Jail to discuss the road ahead.
Activist Medha Patkar and lawyer Prashant Bhushan were there as well. A member of Hazare's team said they were discussing the future course of action.
'We have been getting reports of Anna-ji walking out of Tihar from media but we have no confirmation on this,' she said. More on this story
2: 00 pm: Hazare's attempt to impose Jan Lok Pal Bill totally misconceived: PM
Emphasising that social activist Anna Hazare may be inspired by high ideals in his campaign to set up a effective Lok Pal, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said the former had sought to impose his version of the Lokpal Bill which was "totally misconceived". Here is the full story
1: 30 pm: Activists divided: For and against Hazare
Social activists are deeply divided over the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare. While human rights activist Swami Agnivesh says the movement has a groundswell of popular support, activist and columnist Shabnam Hashmi feels Hazare has adopted an authoritarian attitude and is supported by right-wing groups. Read more
1: 10 pm: Anna Hazare likely to come out of Tihar jail soon: Swami Agnivesh
12: 45 pm: Hazare was arrested as a preventive measure: Manmohan Singh
Justifying social activist Anna Hazare's arrest by the Delhi Police, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said the former was arrested as a preventive measure.
Making a statement on Hazare's arrest in Parliament, Dr. Singh said: "It is my painful duty to report on the events of yesterday. Anna Hazare and six others were arrested as a preventive measure."
Stressing that the Delhi Police "had no choice" but to arrest Hazare, Dr. Singh said: "Team Anna had made it clear that they wanted to defy the law and were refusing to abide by the Delhi Police's conditions." Here is the full story
11: 50 pm: Government had 'bounden duty' to maintain peace: PM
The government had a 'bounden duty' to maintain peace, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Wednesday, a day after Gandhian activist Anna Hazare was arrested ahead of his planned fast-unto-death for a more powerful Lokpal Bill.
Accepting the demand of the opposition, the prime minister made a statement in the Lok Sabha on the arrest and subsequent release of Hazare. Hazare refused to be released and continued to be inside Tihar Jail. Read more
11: 20 am: PM makes statement on Anna arrest in parliament
Accepting the demand of the opposition, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a statement in the Lok Sabha on the arrest and subsequent release of Gandhian activist Anna Hazare. He is scheduled to speak in the Rajya Sabha at 11.30 a.m.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 11.30 a.m. when the prime minister will read out his statement.More
11: 00 am: Congress core committee to meet over Anna issue
With Gandhian activist Anna Hazare refusing to leave the Tihar Jail, the core committee of Congress is to meet to finalise its strategy for dealing with the situation.
The meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and will be attended by the party's top leadership, sources said. Full story
10: 30 am: Ramdev to meet president
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev will meet President Pratibha Devisingh Patil to submit a memorandum against the arrest of Gandhian activist Anna Hazare.
Ramdev will meet the president at 11.45 a.m., said a statement from the guru. More
10: 00 am: Anna in Tihar till fast location finalised, says aide
Civil society leader Anna Hazare will not leave Tihar Jail till the location of his fast is finalised, his aide said Wednesday.
'Anna said that I will not go till the issue of location for fast is sorted out because it will be of no use. If I come out, the same problem will be there again where the fast should take place,' Hazare's associate Manish Sisodia said, quoting the activist.
'So he said that tell us what is the status where we will fast, solve the issue,' he told NDTV. More
9: 00 am: Anna Hazare won't get off government's back
Rattled by swelling political and public anger at the preventive arrest of activist Anna Hazare, the UPA government backtracked late this evening and announced his release to a street sensed of victory against a shaken ruling establishment.
But signs that the panicked U-turn will bring the beleaguered government little relief were immediately visible as Hazare refused to leave Tihar Jail, demanding that he be guaranteed permission to fast at central Delhi's Jai Prakash Narayan Park. Full story
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August 16th, 2011
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11: 55 pm: Manish Sisodia: Anna and 7 supporters are still fasting in Tihar
Manish Sisodia says Anna and his 7 supporters are still fasting in jail. Sisodia said he came out of jail to bring Anna's message to the public- that he won't come out of jail unless govt gives unconditional permission to fast at JP Park.
11: 50 pm: Delhi Police give two options to Anna
According to Times Now, Delhi Police give two options to Anna- One, he can fast for three days with conditions or option two is for him to leave Delhi. Meanwhile, the police start detaining Anna supporters who've gathered at the JP Park.
11: 30 pm: Restore Anna's rights, Bhopal survivors urge president
About 150 survivors of the world's worst industrial disaster in Bhopal urged President Pratibha Patil to intervene for restoring the constitutional rights of civil society activists Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal and others who were detained in New Delhi in the morning. More
11: 15 pm: Anna jailed, freed, but refuses to leave Tihar
Just six hours after he was driven to the Tihar Jail after 3 pm after being sentenced to a week's judicial custody, an unprecedented outburst of spontaneous public anger led Delhi Police to release him. But Hazare, 74, having tasted victory, declined to move until his demands were met. Read the full story here
10:40 pm: Hazare turns down release order, refuses to come out of Tihar
Anna Hazare turned the down the release order, saying he will not move out of the Tihar Jail until he gets unconditional permission to fast.
"Anna Hazare turns down Government's conditional release order. It is said by sources that Anna will not leave Tihar jail until unconditional permission to fast. It is also said that there should not be any conditions for his fast at Jai Prakash Park. It is indicated by sources that Anna will court arrest again but won't bow down," Times Now channel quoted.
10:20 pm: Anna Hazare's key aide Manish Sisodia has been released from the Tihar Jail. "Anna adamant on continuing fast at JP Park. Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal continue to fast inside jail," said Sisodia after his release.
9: 40 pm: Anna refuses to come out of jail
According to CNN IBN, Anna Hazare refuses to come out of Tihar jail saying he fears he might be arrested again. Jail sources say Anna wants permission to fast at JP Park. The jail authorities were given orders to release the social activist by 9:30 pm.
9: 30 pm: Congress says it walked 'extra mile' to accommodate Anna
The Congress said the UPA govt had walked the 'extra mile' to accommodate the concerns of Anna Hazare in drafting the anti-corruption Lokpal bill.
'No other government involved the civil society in preparing a bill so far. The government walked the extra mile to accommodate the civil society led by Hazare,' Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters. More
9: 00 pm: Sibal faces protest from Hazare's supporters at Delhi seminar
The supporters of veteran social activist Anna Hazare, who was arrested ahead of his scheduled indefinite fast, heckled Union Human Resource and Development Minister Kapil Sibal during a seminar on Lokpal.
They raised slogans and waved black flags, when he stood up to address the seminar. Police immediately intervened and took the protesters out of the hall. Full story here
8: 30 pm: Anna to be release tonight by 9:30
New flashes on television channels say Tihar Jail authorities have received orders to release Anna by 9:30pm. More here
8: 15 pm: Brinda Karat calls Hazare's arrest a strong attack on democratic rights
Condemning the arrest of Anna Hazare, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat accuses the Congress Party of indulging in corruption.
"It is a strong attack on democratic rights and my party has strongly condemned it. It also reflects the Congress Party's refusal to tolerate any movement against the corruption. One can ask why? Why is Congress leadership is taking this decision? Clearly because their own government is steeped into corruption," said Karat. More
8: 00 pm: BJP terms Hazare's arrest dictatorial
Condemning the arrest of veteran social activist Anna Hazare, BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi accused the former of adopting dictatorial approach and added that it tried to infringe upon the fundamental right of the citizen to protest. More
7: 30 pm: Protests in Anna's village after his arrest
People in Anna's village in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar District protested against his arrest in Delhi. Condemning the arrest, many villagers including women and children marched to the local Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus depot and raised slogans against the government.
Jaisingh Mahapari, a villager, said that the whole village supported the movement led by Hazare and that they were ready to get arrested by the police. More
7: 00 pm: Activists for and against Hazare
Social activists are deeply divided over the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare. While human rights activist Swami Agnivesh says the movement has a groundswell of popular support, activist and columnist Shabnam Hashmi feels Hazare has adopted an authoritarian attitude and is supported by right-wing groups. More
6: 40 pm: Kiran Bedi, Shanti Bhushan released
'Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan have been released,' Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat told reporters. He said theirs was 'preventive arrest'.
Bedi and Bhushan were detained under the Delhi Police Act, on charges of refusing to comply with the directions given by a police officer.
6: 10 pm: Team Anna versus government: Information warfare hots up
A full-blown information warfare has broken out between Team Anna and the government, with both sides deploying social media tools, SMS and e-mail campaigns to drum up support and run down each other - in what is proving to be a serious crisis for the UPA government.
While supporters of Team Anna have launched a SMS blitzkrieg asking people to court arrest and go on mass leave to join the protesters, the government has launched both overt and covert information offensive to undermine civil society activists that sometimes verged on slander and character assassination. More
6: 05 pm: Farooq Abdullah tweets on Anna's arrestFarooq Abdullah's tweet on the arrest: Anna Hazare in the company of Kalmadi, Raja and Kanimozhi. The lady of justice is indeed blind.
6: 00 pm Hazare faces complaint in Bhopal on flag hoisting
Anna Hazare may face trouble in Madhya Pradesh with a complainant moving court here for action against him for allegedly hoisting the national flag after sunset during a TV show.
'The plea has been accepted and the next court hearing will take place Aug 25,' said R.K. Pandey, lawyer of petitioner Prakash Thakur. More
5: 45 pm: Over 3000 detained in Mumbai after protests over Anna Hazare's arrest
Over 3,000 people were picked on the charges of unlawful assembly from across Mumbai on Tuesday after they held demonstrations protesting against the police action against activist Anna Hazare, hours before he was to launch his fast against corruption, police said. Read more on DNA
5: 15 pm: Anna will share space with Kalmadi, RajaSent to seven days' judicial custody, Anna Hazare will share space in Tihar jail with A Raja and Suresh Kalmadi, both accused in high-profile scams.
4: 40 pm: Shanti Bhushan: Architect of Lokpal bill
Saga of the fearless lawyer, who stood against then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi forty years ago and has now come forward to fight the government against the corruption.
4: 25 pm: Anna arrest: parties join hands to corner Govt
The UPA Government is finding itself isolated on the issue of arresting Anna Hazare and his supporters with all the opposition parties deciding to form a common strategy to take on the Government.
All the opposition parties met at 2 PM in Parliament and decided on a joint strategy to corner the government. The Left Front proposed that all the opposition parties should boycott Parliament proceedings for the next three days to protest against the arrest of Hazare and his supporters. Full story on CNN IBN
4: 15 pm: FAQ: Why Anna Hazare is wrong and Lok Pal a bad idea'The Acorn's latest post talks about whether we really need a Lok Pal Bill to fight corruption. Read the full post here.
4.03 pm: Anna Hazare gets 7-day custody, sent to Tihar JailA Special Magistrate Court sent the 74-year-old social activist to Tihar Jail after he refused to sign a personal bond. Hazare was asked to sign an undertaking promising that he would not violate Section 144.
The Anna Hazare team earlier in the day said that they will approach the Supreme Court against the detention ahead of the proposed indefinite fast, claiming that the police action was 'totally undemocratic'.
Meanwhile, the BJP demands an answer from the Prime Minister on Anna's arrest. Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley says the government can not take away people's right to protest. More here
4.00 pm: Anna Hazare detained, India outraged
Civil society activist Anna Hazare was detained by Delhi Police, shortly before he was to begin an indefinite fast to press for a strong anti-corruption Lokpal Bill, triggering swathes of unrest across the country and pitting the government against not just the opposition but also large sections of the public.
Hazare's associates Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan were also detained along with about 1,000 supporters. As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said the move smacked of the excesses during Emergency and parliament was stalled, the outrage spread across the country with reports of protests coming in from virtually every corner. Read more
3.30 pm: Anna detained for his 'madness', says tourism minister
Union Tourism Minister and senior Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahay justified Anna Hazare's detention in New Delhi, saying he was arrested for his 'madness'.
'Anna Hazare was detained due to his madness for being bent upon a fast-unto-death even as his major demands were accepted by the government,' said Sahay, the Lok Sabha MP from this Jharkhand capital. Here is the full story
3.00 pm: Tactics of govt. akin to those of British: Shanti Bhushan
Criticising the government over the detention of Anna Hazare, senior lawyer and social activist Shanti Bhushan on Tuesday said that the tactics of former were akin to those of the British.
"We did not expect to be detained despite not violating any rules. The Government is nervous, it does not want to let go of corrupt practices. They are treating us like the British. Today's government is similar to that of Winston Churchill," Bhushan said. Read more
2.30 pm: Government not against protests: Mukherjee
Every citizen has the right to protest and the government is not against protests per se but the manner of protests, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said.
'Everyone has the right to protest but there is a method of protesting,' Mukherjee told reporters.
'It is the legitimate right of every individual to hold protests but at the same time there are certain rules and laws. If police considers that a particular action may lead to law and order problem, then police can impose certain conditions,' he added. More
2.15 pm: Kiran Bedi says 'emergency' has revisited the country
Terming the detention of veteran social activist Anna Hazare as undemocratic and unconstitutional, civil society activist Kiran Bedi said that emergency has revisited the country.
" This is totally undemocratic and un -constitutional. This has not been done by Delhi Police; somebody else is behind it. Delhi Police is capable enough to handle such peaceful protests," she said.Full story
1.45 pm: Sushma demands explanation from PM on Hazare's detention
Hours after veteran social activist Anna Hazare was detained by the police from Supreme Enclave in Mayur Vihar for defying prohibitory orders and vowing to go ahead with his fast, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sushma Swaraj condemned the incident, and demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh make a statement in Lok Sabha on the issue.
"A statement from the Home Minister on the issue (Hazare) is not acceptable to us. We want the Prime Minister's statement in the House. Whatever has happened, the Prime Minister must explain," Swaraj said. More
1.30 pm: Delhi Police working independently: Ambika Soni
Delhi Police was not acting under political pressure but had detained civil society activist Anna Hazare to maintain law and order, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said. Read more
1.00 pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned over Anna arrest
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned amid noisy scenes and arguments between the opposition and treasury benches over the detention of civil society activist Anna Hazare and his associates. More
12.30 pm: Detention is beginning of India's second freedom struggle: Hazare
Veteran social activist Anna Hazare, who was detained by Delhi Police on Tuesday, described it as the beginning of India's second freedom struggle.
"My dear countrymen, the second freedom struggle has begun and now I have also been arrested. But will this movement be stopped by my arrest? No, not at all. Don't let it happen," Hazare said soon after being detained by the police. Full story
12.15 pm: Hazare detained for wanting to defy order: R K Singh
Home Secretary R K Singh said social activist Anna Hazare was detained because he said he intended to defy prohibitory orders and sit on a fast. "Anna Hazare stated that he will defy the prohibitory orders. So, he has been detained,' Singh told reporters.
Delhi Police had denied permission for his fast after he refused to abide by all the 22 conditions set by them for the agitation. More
11.50 am: Advani slams Govt. over Anna's detention
Slamming the government over the detention of veteran social activist Anna Hazare, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L K Advani said instead of dealing with the problem of corruption and owning responsibility, the former is trying to find scapegoats and is stopping peaceful protests.
"I am not surprised at this development. This is the direction in which this government is moving," NDTV quoted Advani as, saying. More
11.30 am: Shutdown in Hazare's village, protests in Pune, Mumbai
Residents of Gandhian activist Anna Hazare's village Ralegan Siddhi took to the streets to protest the detention of the anti-corruption crusader in New Delhi. There were demonstrations in Pune and Mumbai too. Read more
11.00 am: Team Anna to move Supreme Court against detentions
Terming the detention of veteran social activist Anna Hazare as totally undemocratic, senior lawyer and member of the committee constituted for the Lokpal Bill, Prashant Bhushan said they will approach the Supreme Court.
"The action showed that the government has no regard for fundamental rights of the citizens. We will move the Supreme Court," said Bhushan. "Time has come to rise up against this government. We appeal to people to protest against the government peacefully," he added. More
10.30 am: Demonstrations in Lucknow against Hazare's detention
People across various age groups and different walks of life held demonstrations in this Uttar Pradesh
10.00 am: Activists fast in Himachal to support Anna
Several activists began an indefinite hunger strike in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi town to press for a strong anti-corruption Lokpal bill and express solidarity with civil society leader Anna Hazare, who was detained early morning in the national capital. More
9.30 am: Manmohan Singh convenes CCPA meet over Hazare's detention
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh convened an emergency meeting of Cabinet Committee of Political Affairs (CCPA) to discuss the strategy after crackdown on Team Anna. As per reports, Home Minister P Chidambaram is meeting the Prime Minister ahead of the CCPA meet. Full story
9.00 am: BJP condemns Hazare's arrest
Condemning the arrest of Gandhian activist Anna Hazare, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday said the government would learn its lesson 'the hard way'.
'It is regrettable and condemnable. This government is bent upon crushing anyone who wants to protest against corruption,' BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said. More
Anna arrestedDelhi Police arrests Anna Hazare even before he leaves for Rajghat
8 am: Delhi Police arrest Anna Hazare, Kiran Bedi, Kejriwal
On Tuesday morning, over a dozen plain-clothed policemen landed at lawyer Prashant Bhushan's house in Mayur Vihar, where Hazare was staying, and detained the Gandhian activist minutes before he was to set out for Rajghat, from where he had planned to head to the Jai Prakash Narain (JP) Park to begin his fast. Here is the full story
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August 15th, 2011
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8.00 pm: Hazare calls for jail bharo after ban orders
Anna Hazare paid a surprise visit to Rajghat and meditated for a while, causing tension to the police, addressed a press conference in the evening. He said there was need for struggle to fight corruption and change the existing 'anti-poor system'. The social activist declared he was ready to go to jail and called for a 'jail bharo' agitation. Full story
7.00 pm: Team Anna, government headed for showdown
Team Anna Hazare and the government were Monday night set for a showdown after Delhi Police refused to let them hold a fast from Tuesday for a stronger Lokpal Bill and the social activist declared he was ready to go to jail.
6.00 pm: Ban orders imposed at Hazare protest venue
The Delhi Police Monday night imposed ban orders at JP Park here where social activist Anna Hazare is to hold a protest fast from Tuesday morning.
The development came even as a large number of Hazare's supporters started gathering at the park with candles and flaming torches in their hands.
The police have imposed Section 144 - that bans the gathering of five or more people - at the park, near Ferozeshah Kotla ground, the venue that the police had earlier told Hazare he could hold his protest fast in.
5.00 pm: Hazare to court arrest; calls for struggle to change system
Calling for a struggle to fight corruption and change the 'anti-poor' system, social activist Anna Hazare said he will court arrest Tuesday if the police does not allow him to reach the venue of his fast. He also appealed to people to go to jail in support of the anti-corruption struggle.
'We will go to JP Park tomorrow (Tuesday) for our fast. I have learnt that Section 144 (prohibiting gathering of five or more people) has been imposed. If they (police) refuse to allow us to proceed, we will sit there only. We are ready to go to jail. I appeal to people all over the country that when we go to jail, people in villages should also go to jail,' Hazare told mediapersons here.
3.30 pm: Team Anna dares Govt., to move court if stopped from protesting
Terming the decision of the Delhi Police as 'unconstitutional' and 'undemocratic', Supreme Court lawyer and member of the Lokpal Bill drafting committee, Prashant Bhushan, said the civil society activists would move the court if they were stopped from protesting.
2.00 pm: Govt. always suppresses anti-corruption crusaders, says Ramdev
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev accused the Central government of trying to suppress anti-corruption movements in the country.
Addressing mediapersons Ramdev said: "The government maligns the image of hose who raise their voice. People in the country must understand the intention of the overnment, even if it is Anna Hazare, Baba Ramdev and Balakrishna."
"Earlier, even leaders like Jai Prakash Narain and even during the time of emergency, hoever dared to raise their voice was crushed by the government. This is still going on fter 64 years of independence," he added.
1.00 pm: Kejriwal asks people to switch off home lights
Just after activist Anna Hazare addressed a conference here Monday evening to announced his anti-corruption strategy, his team member Arvind Kejriwal appealed to people to switch off lights in their homes for an hour as a mark of support for their cause.
People were asked to switch off lights for an hour starting 8 p.m. Monday. Kejriwal said: 'I asked people to switch off the lights for one hour, as the kind of independence we have today in our country is incomplete.'
'Nothing has been left untouched by corruption. Unfortunately, the government seems to be promoting it rather than preventing it. The government's Lokpal bill is a complete eyewash and will shield corruption,' he said. Full story
12.00 pm: We are ready to go to jail: Anna
Calling for a struggle to fight corruption and change the existing system, social activist Anna Hazare Monday said he will court arrest Tuesday if the police does not allow him to reach the venue of his fast. He also appealed to people to go to jail in support of the anti-corruption struggle
'We will go to JP Park tomorrow (Tuesday) for our fast. I have learnt that Section 144 (prohibiting gathering of five or more people) has been imposed. If they (police) refuse to allow us to proceed, we will sit there only. We are ready to go to jail. I appeal to people all over the country that when we go to jail, people in villages should also go to jail,' Hazare said. More
11.00 am: Want strong Lokpal, don't fast: PM
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the government wants a 'strong Lokpal' and those who don't agree with some aspects of a proposed legislation 'should not resort to hunger strikes'.
'We want a strong Lokpal to prevent corruption in high places. We have recently introduced a bill in parliament to achieve this,' said Singh in his address to the nation's 65th Independence Day. 'Now only parliament can decide what type of Lokpal legislation should be enacted,' he said from the ramparts of Red Fort
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