Ralegan Sidhi, where Anna Hazare has been on fast since December 10, erupted in celebrations on Tuesday evening, after the amended lokpal and lokayukta Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha.
A tired but elated Hazare thanked all the political parties that contributed to the passage anti-corruption bill in the upper House of Parliament. He said he would break his fast on Wednesday, after lok Sabha endorsed the legislation on Wednesday. Slogans like Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Vande Mataram rent the air, as 76-year-old Hazare — whose health worsened further on Tuesday owing to the loss of weight and abnormal increase in creatinine level in his urine — joined his supporters in waving vigorously the National Tricolour to celebrate the passage of amended lokpal Bill in Rajya Sabha.
Hazare, who along with retired Army chief VK Singh and former IPS officer-turned activist Kiran Bedi watched the Rajya Sabha proceedings live on television, described the passage of lokpal Bill as a “revolutionary moment” in the country’s history. He expressed confidence that lok Sabha would endorse the legislation on Wednesday.
“This (passing of the Bill) is a revolutionary moment. During the last 40 years the bill was introduced as many as eight times but was never passed…I thank all parties, excepting Samajwadi Party (that boycotted the RS proceedings to register its Opposition to the Bill), who supported the bill in Rajya Sabha,” Hazare said, while talking to mediapersons at Ralegan Siddhi.
“Our Parliamentarians have begun to realise that the people want a legislation against corruption. That’s why Rajya Sabha today passed the lokpal Bill. I am confident that the bill will be passed in lok Sabha tomorrow. After the passage of bill in lok Sabha, I will break my fast,” Hazare said.
A satisfied but practical Hazare went onto add: “I don’t say the legislation will root out corruption 100 per cent, but it will definitely help bring it down by 40-50 per cent”.A festive atmosphere prevailed in and around Yadavbaba temple at Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district of western Maharashtra, where Hazare’s fast entered eighth day, all through Tuesday.
The entire village burst into joy, as Rajya Sabha prepared to pass the landmark anti-corruption bill. Hazare’s supporters danced to the tune of popular Hindi film song Dil Diya Hai Jaan Bhi Denge, E Vatan Tere liye, while the Gandhian began to wave the national tricolour. “On behalf of the people in the country, I pray for passage of the Bill,” Hazare said.
Earlier in the day, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) released the letters exchanged between Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Hazare over the passage of lokpal Bill, during the few days. “I welcome your commitment towards passing the lokpal and lokayukta Bill in Parliament. My request is that the points which have been endorsed and recommended by the select committee on the bill are included in the amended bill,” Hazare wrote.
“These points have been decided with consensus by all political parties who were part of the select committee,” Hazare went on to add. In his reply, Gandhi thanked Anna and stated: “I was very encouraged by your letter. We are committed to giving the country a strong lokpal Bill… We respect your role in this effort and are grateful for your support”.