Govt notifies joint panel,Anna breaks fast

“People from all castes and religions joined me in the strike. We have shown the world that we stand as one,without any barriers. I am overwhelmed by the public support,and I congratulate the media for standing out as the fourth pillar of democracy in this fight,” Hazare said.

He cautioned the government against further delays,and set the deadline of August 15 for the enactment of the law. If the Bill was not passed in Parliament’s monsoon session,he would march to Red Fort on Independence Day and launch a new agitation,Hazare said.

“This is just the beginning. We have to ensure that the Bill is drafted properly in time,and that it is passed by Parliament. These stages will be revolutions in themselves.

“This is a second independence struggle… If Bhagat Singh had thrown the British out of India,today we have managed to do the same to the kaale angrez who rule us today,” he said.

Earlier in the day,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issued a statement saying he was happy that Anna Hazare had decided to end his fast,and the government intended to introduce the Bill in the monsoon session.

“I am happy that the government and representatives of civil society have reached an agreement in our mutual resolve to combat corruption. This is a scourge that confronts all of us. The government intends to introduce the Lokpal Bill in Parliament during the monsoon session,” the PM said.

“…I am pleased that Anna Hazareji has agreed to give up his fast… I hope that the process of preparing this legislation will move forward in a constructive mode so that after consultation with a wide spectrum of stakeholders the legislation is placed before the Cabinet for introduction during the monsoon session.”

The 10-member committee to re-draft the Bill will be chaired by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee,and will have,from the government’s side,Home Minister P Chidambaram,Law Minister M Veerappa Moily,HRD Minister Kapil Sibal and Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khursheed.

The nominees of Anna Hazare,besides Hazare himself,are Justice N Santosh Hegde,senior advocate Shanti Bhushan,advocate Prashan Bhushan and activist Arvind Kejriwal.

Shanti Bhushan will be the co-chairperson of the Joint Drafting Committee,and Moily will be its convener. The committee,the gazette notification said,“shall commence its work forthwith and… complete its work latest by 30th June,2011”.

Before breaking his fast,Hazare asked the others fasting with him to break theirs,personally offered sips of cool drinks to some. “Our relationship should not culminate here. I will travel to all states,and meet all of you whenever I can. Remember,our responsibility has increased tremendously now,and we have to fight for many more revolutions,” he said.

There were celebrations with Holi colours,volunteers formed human chains and groups of people marched with placards,flashing the victory sign.

Hazare said reforms were needed in the electoral system as well,and that electronic voting machines (EVMs) should have a ‘None of the Above’ option. “I urge more people should join this movement. But only clean people should come in,we do not want any miscreants,” he said.

Hazare said he had never tried to blackmail the government. “Fasting is the most democratic way of protest. Anti-corruption bodies like the CBI and Vigilance Commissions have failed,since they are all under the government. Such a law (Lokpal) is urgently needed to ensure independent investigations on corruption charges,” he said.

A victory rally scheduled at India Gate in the evening was cancelled after doctors said Hazare was too exhausted after his 98-hour fast.

“He was a bit dizzy after the speech and there were some fluctuations in blood pressure. Though he is completely stable,he is after all a 73-year-old man. We have advised him complete rest for a while,” said Dr Praveen Sharma,Hazare’s personal physician.