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Even as the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government took the first major step to engage with Team Anna on the issue of a strong Lokpal on Tuesday, Anna Hazare refused to end his eight-day-long fast despite his worsening health and appeal by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to do so. Just a few minutes after doctors attending to him at New Delhi's Ramlila Maidan told him to get hospitalised, Hazare came out on the dais and announced that he was fasting for the nation and would not call it off.
"Doctors have suggested me to take drip. But my inner voice told me not take anything as I am fasting for the country," said Hazare while addressing his supporters at the protest fast venue.
Requesting his supporters to remain peaceful, he asked them to not let the Government take him away to a hospital forcibly.
"I am requesting people to make sure that government doesn’t take me away. I am asking you to stop them but don't indulge in violence please do it peaceful and non-violence. I don't fear death," he said amid thunderous applause from the crowd.
He said that even if he died thousands of 'Anna Hazares' would take his place and ensure that the fight for a corruption-free India continues.
Earlier, doctors attending to Hazare advised the 74-year-old social activist to get admitted to a hospital and take intravenous drip as his vital signs deteriorated. Hazare has lost more than 5.5 kg since August 16, the day when he was arrested and started his hunger strike.
The Prime Minister, too, wrote a letter to Hazare appealing him to call off his fast in a bid to break the deadlock over the Lokpal issue. Singh offered personal guarantee, saying that all the contentious issue raised by him and his supporters will be looked into and resolved at the earliest.
Singh also appointed Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to mediate on behalf of the Government with Team Anna.
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