Anna Hazare Discharged from Hospital

Aug 30 - Congress red-faced as MP brands Anna a traitor

Teusday - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sent flowers and a short message to Anna wishing him a speedy recovery.

Anna Hazare says :Never felt weak when amongst people

Aug 31 - Anna Hazare discharged from hospital

Courts deny bail, refuse stay on summon to H.D.Kumaraswamy

Former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and his wife Anitha received a double whammy from the judiciary on Tuesday: first the Lok Ayukta special court denied them anticipatory bail and then Karnataka high court refused to stay the summonses issued against them.

Meanwhile, the duo did not appear before the Lok Ayukta special court on Tuesday citing health problems. They had been issued summonses to be present before the court. The couple’s lawyer Azmath Pasha stated in the court that the former chief minister was a heart patient and diabetic, his sugar level was high because of stress and he was on medication.

Pasha contended that Anitha had severe back pain owing to slipped disc along with joint pain. The duo’s counsel stated that the doctors had advised them rest and thus they were unable to come to the court.

The third accused in the case, proprietor of Jantakkal Enterprises Vinod Goel, too stated that he had been suffering from back pain, because of travelling, and had been advised rest.

The case came up for hearing before the Lok Ayukta court at 3 pm. Justice NK Sudhindra Rao waited for the accused for around 10 minutes. Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy and his wife’s lawyer filed an application under Section 205 of Criminal Procedure Code, seeking exemption from personal appearance for the couple.

Their counsel drew the court’s attention to a provision under Sec 205 that says the accused may appear in the court through a pleader. Justice Rao turned down the application, saying he did not find any substance in it.

Earlier in the day, Kumaraswamy and Anitha’s anticipatory bail plea too was rejected. During the hearing, their counsel appealed to the Lok Ayukta special court that the duo be granted an exemption from personal appearance for 15 days as they had decided to approach the Karnataka high court for anticipatory bail.

Not finding any merit in the application, justice Rao said that the duo would have to appear in the court personally. On health grounds, he exempted them from appearing personally and asked them to be present before the court on September 5.

BJP congratulates Anna, says will support anti-graft fight

BJP on Sunday congratulated Anna Hazare for his successful agitation and assured him that the party would continue to extend support to his fight to make India corruption-free.

“I am glad that Anna Hazare has ended his 12-day fast this morning. The entire nation has heaved a sigh of relief. Thank God Anna’s life has been saved. We pray for his long and healthy life so that he can accomplish his dream of a corruption free India,” BJP president Nitin Gadkari said in a statement.

He described this as a “historic moment” for everybody who has been in the forefront of the crusade against corruption.

“I on my personal behalf and on behalf of the BJP congratulate Anna on his successful campaign against corruption. I join the countrymen in rejoicing Anna’s victory. It is a victory of democracy. People of India have won a decisive battle against corruption through peaceful means,” Mr. Gadkari said.

However, he maintained that the battle against corruption is not over yet and the fight shall continue.

“The monster of corruption is not yet completely eliminated. It can raise its ugly head again. We have to root it out from our system. Our campaign against corruption will continue till we achieve our goal,” Mr. Gadkari said.

Mr. Gadkari assured Mr. Hazare of BJP’s continued support, saying the party will stand solidly behind him in his “selfless endeavour to transform the society”.

“We promise you that the BJP will always be ready to rally around you and march forward under your leadership should the need arise any time in future to fulfil your dream of a truly democratic corruption free India,” Mr. Gadkari said.

The BJP president saluted Mr. Hazare for his deeds.

“Anna, rest assured, we will not let you down in and outside Parliament. Nor will we allow the government to betray you further,” Mr. Gadkari said.

The BJP president hit out at the government, saying it had no plans of agreeing to the demands raised by Mr. Hazare and it did so finally under pressure from the opposition.

“There was no intention of fulfilling Anna’s demands and the issue was being diverted to different topics by Congress politicians. We in BJP supported Anna. But even after that attempts were made to spread rumours that BJP was trying to avoid voting on the resolution,” Mr. Gadkari said.

He claimed that it was only after BJP agreed to vote and support a resolution to clarify its stand on the issue that the Congress was forced to agree and move ahead.

“I don’t want to comment on the politics of it. Whatever has happened has happened. Anna’s health is fine. The country needs Anna,” Mr. Gadkari said.

Anna Hazare breaks fast after 288 hours

New Delhi: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare broke his fast on the 13th day at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi as huge crowds witnessed and celebrated the victory of people's power. Anna ended his fast after Parliament adopted the Sense of the House resolution on his three key points on Saturday.

Two five-year old girls from Delhi offered coconut water and honey to Anna Hazare.

After breaking his fast, Anna thanked the people for their support. "I thank the countrymen, my brothers, sisters and kids for the fight against corruption," Anna said.


Two five-year old girls from Delhi offered coconut water and honey to Anna Hazare.

Anna said that this was also a victory for media and thanked the media for waking up to the movement.

The Gandhian also called for changes in the electoral system.

He also thanked Dr Naresh Trehan and the civil society members for their support.

Anna skipped his visit to Rajghat due to health concerns. He is admitted in Medanta Medicity Hospital in Gurgaon for two to three days where he will undergo medical check-ups. Dr Naresh Trehan issued a statement saying that a detailed report on Anna's health will be issued on Monday. Dr Trehan also said that Anna's BP and heart rate are normal but he is very dehydrated.

In the end it was a win-win situation for both sides. After a nine-hour long debate in Parliament on Saturday, the government stuck to its stand and did not go for a voice vote. The resolution on Lokpal was passed by a thumping of desk unanimously, but the real test begins with the government having promised to pass the Lokpal Bill soon.

Even as Anna broke his fast, he made it clear that the fight will continue as the battle is only half won.

Earlier, Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal thanked the Prime Minister and Parliamentarians for agreeing to their demands.

Celebrations broke out across the nations as Anna broke his fast. There were festivities at Anna's village Ralegaon Siddhi as people there distributed sweets and decorated their houses.

Breaking News - People of India wins by Non-Violent movemet

Anna Hazare wins, Parliament passes resolution on Lokpal Bill

Agreed, says Parliament to Anna; fast ends at 10 am


Parliament passes unanimous resolution on Anna's demands

Government not serious about debate on Lokpal, Anna's fast: BJP

NEW DELHI: BJP today accused government of not being serious about Lokpal Bill or Anna Hazare's fast as it was pressing for a "casual" debate on such an important issue which could lead to the end of the Gandhian's hunger strike.

Rahul Gandhi tries to Fish out of trouble waters

Jan lokpal bill: 'Who will believe what Rahul says on corruption issue?'

Medha Patkar criticizes Rahul Gandhi over his speech in Parliament

Gali Gali mein shor hai, Rahul Gandhi chor hai: Anna supporters

Anna Hazare supporters protest outside Rahul Gandhi's office in Amethi

BJP slams Rahul Gandhi's 'sermon' on Lokpal Bill

PTI .NEW DELHI: Asking Rahul Gandhi not to give "sermons" but to persuade the Prime Minister to bring changes in Lokpal Bill, the BJP on Friday slammed his speech in Parliament saying it closes the way for ending Anna Hazare's fast.

"We don't want Rahul's sermons. It is surprising that he is giving sermons to the nation but his party under Manmohan Singh is dill-dallying on a strong Lokpal issue. We urge him stop sermonising and persuade Prime Minister to bring changes in the Lokpal Bill," senior BJP leader Ananth Kumar said.

Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley was equally dismissive of Gandhi's speech in which he proposed making Lokpal a constitutional body like the Election Commission.

"When you have no solution to offer you talk of systemic changes," Jaitley said.

His counterpart in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said, Gandhi's speech "closes the way for ending Anna's fast."

She also made clear her displeasure at Speaker Meira Kumar giving 15 minutes to Gandhi to give his "sermon" in the House when he was not scheduled to speak on Friday.

Some BJP leaders said that the speech reflected that Gandhi differs with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the Lokpal issue and Hazare's fast.

While Singh had been full of praise for Hazare in his speech on Thursday and this led to the Lok Sabha passing an unanimous resolution requesting the Gandhian to end his fast, Gandhi made no such gesture and even questioned such methods of protest.

Ananth Kumar alleged that the current stalemate on Lokpal issue and Hazare's fast was "due to the Congress and the UPA led by Manmohan Singh".

"Yesterday, the entire house and Manmohan Singh expressed concern over Anna's falling health but government is still dragging its feet on the issue. The government Lokpal Bill is totally malafide," Kumar said.

The BJP leader said his party wants "a strong and effective" Lokpal on the lines of Jan Lokpal Bill proposed by the Anna Hazare and his team.

"BJP has clarified its stand. We are for a strong and decisive Lokpal on the lines of Jan Lokpal Bill," he said.

Reports HT

Will back Anna inside & outside Parliament: BJP

Opening up its cards for the first time on Anna Hazare's agitation, the BJP on Thursday (August 25) came out in support of his Jan Lokpal Bill saying it should be made the basis of discussion in Parliament over creation of an effective ombudsman and asking the government to withdraw its version of the legislation.

"The BJP supports Jan Lokpal Bill proposed by team Anna. It should be introduced in Parliament. We will make it as the basis of discussion. The Government's Lokpal Bill has gone to the Parliamentary Standing Committee. The Government can withdraw its Bill with the Opposition's consent," BJP president Nitin Gadkari told a press conference at the party headquarters.

He said he was worried about Anna Hazare's health and urged the Prime minister to take immediate steps to end the current impasse and help the Gandhian end his fast.

"BJP is with Anna Hazare on the issue of corruption and supports his movement. But the way the situation is deteriorating, it is not good for the nation. Keeping in view the interest of the nation and Anna's health, I appeal to the Prime Minister to take immediate steps. I hope a positive response from the Government," Gadkari said.

Ahead of the debate on Jan Lokpal Bill in Lok Sabha today, Anna Hazare team last night reached out to BJP which said a solution to the impasse could be found in consonance with the Constitution if the government has a "constructive" attitude.

Hazare's associates Arvind Kejriwal, Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi met senior BJP leaders L K Advani, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and Nitin Gadkari for over three hours explaining their version of the Lokpal Bill and gave "clarifications" on aspects over which the Opposition party had "doubts".

"We discussed how a solution could be found while preserving the prestige of Parliament and Constitution," Jaitley told reporters later.

He said the civil society representatives agreed that a solution should be in consonance with the Constitution, he said, adding the rest depends on whether the government has a "positive" and constructive" approach.

If government "sincerely" approaches the issue, a solution should not be difficult, the BJP leader said.

He said the Hazare team had given clarifications to the BJP leaders on various aspects over which they had "doubts".

Regarding questions over whether Prime Minister should be brought under the purview of Lokpal, Jaitley said the BJP had clarified its position on July 4 that he should be included. With regard to higher judiciary, he said the BJP favoured
a separate commission.

The team Hazare said while they were waiting for government's response on its demands, the main Opposition "broadly agreed" with their version of the anti-graft legislation.

Prashant Bhushan said he hoped that the resolution to be moved in Lok Sabha on Friday would be "clear" enough and would include the three vital issues raised by them so that Hazare could end his fast.

On meeting with BJP leaders, Kejriwal said, "it appears, they agreed on almost all aspects of the Jan Lokpal Bill." With regard to higher judiciary, he said the Hazare team had no objection to bringing of separate Judicial Accountability Bill and setting up Judicial Accountability Commission.

Bhushan said the Commission should be independent of the judiciary and government and have powers to investigate corruption in judiciary which is not provided for in the government's present bill.

The present bill only deals with misconduct within judiciary and riddled with conflict of interest, he said.

Chidambaram, Sibal to be blamed for talks breakdown

New Delhi: Senior ministers Kapil Sibal and P. Chidambaram strongly opposed the talks between government and civil society representatives and jeopardised the negotiations over the contentious Lokpal bill, activist Arvind Kejriwal said Thursday, the 10th day of Anna Hazare's indefinite fast.

"It is unfortunate that some elements in the government were trying to jeopardise the talks. We had reached (a) consensus," Kejriwal told reporters, a day after parleys ended in a logjam.

Kejriwal squarely blamed IT and Communication Minister Kapil Sibal and Home Minister P. Chidambaram for the breakdown.

"Sibal and Chidambaram strongly opposed the talks process. Perhaps that is why the government took a U-turn on the issues we had (earlier) agreed upon," Kejriwal said.

"We have become victims of internal politics of Congress. How many rounds of talks we have had with senior leaders like Kapil Sibal and Chidambaram but nothing has happened till now. Whom will we talk to?," he added.

The two sides are expected to meet again around noon to thrash out a solution to the row, amid growing concerns over Anna Hazare's health.

Kejriwal said that civil society representatives believed that the issues could be solved through dialogue but refused to commit if they would attend the fourth round of talks.

"We will decide that in our core committee meeting," he said.

Signalling that the negotiations may have hit a dead end, Team Anna member Kiran Bedi said they they didn't know who to talk to and resolve the crisis.

"Who do we talk to? We don't who we talk to. They shift the responsibilities. One person says talk to other, other says talk to another. There is nobody to listen to us. This is dangerous," Bedi said.

B.J.P Tells Govt to Withdraw the Lokpal Bill and introduce an effective bill.

B.J.P the main opposition party appealed to the government to be "sensitive" towards Hazare's deteriorating health in view of his ongoing indefinite fast, and expedite the process of negotiations to reach a solution.

The BJP on Tuesday asked the government to withdraw the present Lokpal Bill and introduce an "effective" bill in Parliament, but made it clear that some provisions of the Team Anna draft and the deadline set by it for passing the legislation were not acceptable to the party. "If required, the government should withdraw the Lokpal Bill and introduce an effective bill. The present bill which is with the Standing Committee is feeble and ineffective," BJP deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha SS Ahluwalia told reporters.

Asked if the Jan Lokpal Bill, prepared by Team Anna Hazare, was acceptable to the BJP, he said, "We agree with certain portions of the draft, while some parts can be improved upon. There are some provisions which cannot be acceptable to us at all."

"We do not know the agenda of the all-party meeting. What they are going to discuss... We have already ventilated our views on the issue," Ahluwalia said.

The BJP has only stated that the Prime Minister should be in the ambit of the Lokpal and the process of appointment of the ombudsman should not be such that an official nominee ends up occupying the post.

"As per the present Lokpal Bill, the government will have a majority in the selection panel for the Lokpal. In the case of CVC appointment, it was seen that though the leader of Opposition was against PJ Thomas appointment as CVC, the Prime Minister and home minister voted for it," Ahluwalia said.

He insisted that the government should not have a majority in the panel responsible for appointment and removal of the Lokpal.

"This government's commitment and seriousness on the issue is not reflected in the present Lokpal Bill," he said.

The BJP was also unhappy that in the Lower House, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj was not allowed to speak on the situation prevailing in the country in the wake of Hazare's fast.

"Swaraj had given a notice for suspension of Question Hour in Lok Sabha to discuss the adverse situation prevailing in the country since the last two-three days. Lakhs of people have taken to the streets and their demand is for bringing legislation on fighting corruption. In her notice, she further said that people have lost patience as there is big scale corruption now," Ahluwalia said.

Swaraj had said that the Lokpal Bill is "toothless and visionless" and should be thrown in the dustbin.

Prakash Javadekar, who had given a similar notice in the Rajya Sabha, said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should make a statement in Parliament on the issue.

IIT-Kgp student refuses to accept degree from PM

Kharagpur, Aug 22: It has been evident that 74-year old Anna Hazare's passion and determination over a stronger anti-corruption bill has gripped the students of India's top institutions. The students of IIT- Kharagpur are showing their protest against the government in their own ways. One of the students of IIT-Kharagpur refused to accept his degree from Manmohan Singh while another aims to wear an Anna cap at the convocation where the Prime Minister is the chief guest.

Shashi Shekhar, a civil engineering student, has decided not to accept his M Tech degree from the Prime Minister as a mark of protest. According to him, Singh is not in favour of a strong Lokpal.

"I will not accept my degree from the Prime Minister. I will accept it from someone who supports the Jan Lokpal Bill," says Shashi Shekhar. Another student and M Tech in Electronics, Chandra Kumar Patel, has chosen to wear an Anna cap instead of the traditional convocation cap when he goes to accept his degree from the Prime Minister. A group of IIT Kharagpur students are also sitting on fast in support of Hazare.

“Desh ka yuva yaha, hai. Rahul Gandhi kaha hai?”

Youths pen new slogans as the Congress masters wait to see Anna is tired.

Anna Hazare's movement against corruption has not only brought people on to the streets in his support, but also has made the youth and others pen new slogans to keep the movement alive.

In Jaipur, supporters from every class, especially the elite, are coming up with fresh slogans. Some slogans depict the public anger against the "adamant" Centre, while many are sarcastic barbs against youth leaders like Rahul Gandhi, who are allegedly ignoring the ongoing situation in the country.


'Saare Yuva Yahan Hain, Rahul Gandhi Tu Kahan Hai (When every youth is here, where are you Rahul Gandhi?)' shouted Anna supporters on bike at the Statue Circle.

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By Artists across the World Free Shipping & Cash on Delivery Inkfruit.com"It is quite unlike him. He portrays himself as a youth icon. When the youth in this country has started a crusade against corruption by supporting Anna, he is nowhere to be seen," said Abhishek Gulania, an engineering student.

Some slogans are terming Rahul as incompetent, as youth were seen shouting 'Mera to Bas Anna Hai, Rahul tu to Nikamma Hai (Anna is mine, Rahul is incompetent).

Likewise, many slogans like 'Thanda Thanda Cool Cool, Anna Hazare Wonderful' were chanted by the supporters of Anna quite regularly during their rallies in Jaipur.

At many places where the supporters of Anna are getting support from the city police who are not interrupting or interfering as long as the supporters are maintaining decency. Slogans in favour of police were also chanted.

'Anna Tum Sangharsh Karo Police Hamare Saath Hai' (Anna continue your struggle as police is with us) were raised wherever the supporters spotted police team deployed at the rallies.

Gaddafi sons in custody Libya'n celebrates fall of Tripoli

The two eldest sons of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi are in rebel custody, but the whereabouts of other relatives and senior officials remain unknown.

Gaddafi's second-eldest son, Saif al-Islam, was detained by rebels on Sunday night, according to Mustafa Abdul Jalil, the head of the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC). The council provided few other details.

Hours later, a spokesman for the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed the arrest. The opposition has not announced whether it will hand over prisoners to the ICC.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Saif al-Islam in June on charges of crimes against humanity. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the court's chief prosecutor, described Saif al-Islam as Libya's "de facto prime minister", and accused him of recruiting foreign mercenaries that reportedly attacked protesters during Libya's six-month uprising.

"We hope he can soon be in The Hague," Moreno-Ocampo said on Monday.

Still, the rebels have not yet said whether they will transfer Saif al-Islam to the ICC. Representatives from the court and the rebel council are scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss a possible transfer.

Libya uprising timeline
17 Feb: Anti-government protests begin across Libya
24 Feb - 6 Mar: Rebels seize control of several towns and cities but are driven back
17 Mar: UN authorises no-fly zone and "all necessary measures" to protect civilians
19 Mar: First strikes by US, French and British warplanes halt pro-Gaddafi forces
30 Mar: Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa defects
16-25 Apr: Gaddafi forces bombard rebel-held Misrata
May-Jul: Stalemate as rebels and government troops engage in skirmishes
Mid-Aug: Rebels seize key towns of Zawiya and Gharyan outside Tripoli
21 Aug: Rebels enter Tripoli

Libyan communities around the world come out in force to sing and chant, anticipating an end to Muammar Gaddafi's rule.


Celebrations have spilled over from Tripoli and Benghazi into cities around the world, as the Libyan diaspora gathered to celebrate the advance of opposition forces.

At least a hundred Libyans gathered outside the White House on Monday to celebrate the rebel's assault on Tripoli, waving the country's flag and chanting "Libya is free" and "Thank you, Obama".

"Tonight for the first time in our lives we are very proud to be Libyan," Rania Swadek, a 33-year-old Libyan-American, told the AFP news service. Swadek was waving a sign showing the red, black and green rebel flag with the words "Thank you, NATO! Thank you, Obama!"

The mother of two, who arrived in the US in 1984 with her brothers and sisters after receiving political asylum, also had kind words for France, which was among the first countries to call for international intervention in Libya.

"We want to say thank you to President Nicolas Sarkozy and the French people who were the first, even before the Americans, to support the Libyans in their struggle," she said.

While Gaddafi's regime has not yet fallen, many Libyans were celebrating what they believed was the beginning of the end.

"They already have the sons," Swadek said, referring to reports that one of Gaddafi's sons, Saif al-Islam, had been arrested and another, Mohammad Gaddafi, also detained by rebels.

"Now we want him alive for a trial for all the crimes against humanity he has done, not just now but for four decades," Swadek said, referring to Gaddafi.


'Replace the flag'

Libyans gathered outside their embassy in Cairo on Monday and demanded that the green flag of Gaddafi be replaced with the opposition's flag.

"As an individual, my demands would be first and foremost, since I'm here in Cairo, for the Libyan embassy in Cairo to lower its flag and raise the flag of the independence and for the Egyptian military council to recognise the [National] Transitional Council," said Omar, a Libyan celebrating in Cairo, who did not disclose his last name.

Dressed in white T-shirts and waving Libyan independence flags, the jubilant crowd shouted, "Replace the flag! Replace the flag!"

In Alexandria, Egypt, hundreds gathered outside the consulate and also clamoured for the removal of the green flag of Gaddafi.

Crowds also gathered outside the Libyan embassy in Tunis, capital of Tunisia, celebrating the reports of the fighting in Tripoli. Waving the flag of independence, many expressed their joy at the news.

The Libyan ambassador in Malta allowed the removal of the Gaddafi flag and raised the emblem of the opposition forces. About 100 people gathered to celebrate the battle for Tripoli.

According to Malta Today, pro-rebel supporters chanted "Libya, Libya", and "Down with Gaddafi". Authorities allowed demonstrators to enter the embassy where they took to the roof and replaced the old flag.

In Sarajevo, however, police were forced to surround the embassy after a dozen Libyans entered the building, threw Gaddafi's pictures out the windows, raised the rebels' flag, and demanded the resignation of the ambassador.

Yet, according to an embassy employee who spoke to The Associated Press, the ambassador is a 'die-hard Gaddafi supporter' who refuses to leave. Currently the Bosnian police are inside the building trying to keep the negotiations peaceful.

Wait is 'finally' over

In Washington, children wore "Free Libya" shirts with the colors of the rebel flag. One demonstrator waved a large multicoloured sign with the capital letters "FINALLY".

Libyans sang in English: "Gaddafi left Tripoli, Libya is free".

About 40 men knelt facing Mecca to pray, some used the rebel flag as a prayer mat.

Among them was Khaled Rouini, a 42-year-old Tunisian taxi driver, who could not hide his excitement.

"I came to the White House to celebrate the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt," he said, sporting a "Free Libya" T-shirt. "And now it is in Libya," he added.

Ahmed Ilhnish, draped in the rebel flag, said he had been overwhelmed by emotions.

"There is no word to tell what we feel," he said. "Now it is just a matter of time."

"I have been waiting this day since the day I was born," Ilhnish continued. "I was in Benghazi in March when the French planes first came. I'm going to get back in Tripoli tomorrow or in a few days as soon as they get him."

Seek fresh mandate, Advani tells Manmohan

L.K. Advani: "Even in villages people are talking about corruption, scams and the money stacked in Swiss banks.... At least now, the Prime Minister should quit the post and contest elections".

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader L.K. Advani has demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh step down and seek a fresh mandate from the people.

Speaking at a party workers' meeting here on Sunday, Mr. Advani said the people had lost faith in the Congress-led UPA government after the 2G spectrum scam and allegations of black money. The common man could not lead a happy life due to high inflation. “Even in villages people are talking about corruption, scams and the money stacked in Swiss banks. Dr. Singh has not contested elections directly till now. At least now, the Prime Minister should quit the post and contest elections,” Mr. Advani said.

Attacking UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister, the BJP leader said both were responsible for the scams. The Prime Minister had defended the corrupt Ministers, including the former Union Telecommunications Minister, A. Raja, and Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi.

Blaming the Congress for bribing MPs to protect the government when the Left parties withdrew support in 2008 over the nuclear deal with the U.S., Mr. Advani said the Supreme Court had taken up investigation in the cash-for-votes case and hoped the culprits would be booked soon.

Even as WikiLeaks highlighted the scams with evidence and the same was published in The Hindu, the UPA government dismissed them as baseless allegations.

Sacrifice

Recalling the sacrifices of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and the party, Mr. Advani explained to the party activists how the founder-president of the Sangh, Syama Prasad Mookerjee, sacrificed his life for integrating Jammu and Kashmir with India.

Only after the death of Dr. Mookerjee in June 1953, Jammu and Kashmir was integrated with India and the jurisdiction of the President, the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of India extended up to Jammu and Kashmir. But now, some parties were trying to restore the pre-1953 situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the BJP would not allow it to happen under any circumstances, Mr. Advani said.

He called upon the party workers to work hard and try to bring the BJP back in power for good governance.

Jan Lokpal and Govt. Lokpal bills - Watch in Full Screen

House should set aside all jobs and pass Lokpal Bill: BJP

Press Trust Of India

Anna Hazare waves the national flag as he stands on the back of a vehicle outside Tihar Jail in New......Amid a strong anti-corruption campaign led by Anna Hazare, senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Saturday said Parliament should set aside all business and pass a strong Lokpal Bill at the earliest so that questions raised over the credibility of Legislature are answered. The Rajya Sabha member wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying it would be "arrogance and stupidity" on part of the Legislature to ignore the tremendous public anger against corruption that is being spearheaded by Hazare and his associates.

"I am writing this letter with sadness. As a common citizen, whatever I am witnessing, it hurts. But as an MP and social worker, I feel ashamed," said the BJP Vice President and former union minister in his letter.

Expressing pride in Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional set-up, he said, "The web of rules and laws" should, however, not be used as a "shield" to stand in the way of a strong Lokpal.

"Today, there is tremendous public anger over corruption and a unique situation has arisen. The credibility of Parliament and Constitution is facing testing times. It will be arrogance and stupidity to reject the voice raised by Anna Hazare and his supporters," Naqvi wrote.

Treating the anti-corruption campaign as "a bugle of 'Mahabharata', he said, it will have to be recognised and accepted.

"The rights and power of Parliament should not represent stubbornness. He said that before the spark of public anger reaches the seat of democracy, "it is my request that we should set aside all legislative work and take up Lokpal Bill.

"If need be, a special session of Parliament should be convened and a strong Lokpal be passed at the earliest so that the trust in Parliament that is shaken is restored. This should be the priority for Parliament."

'Main bhi Anna, Tu bhi Anna, Ab to Saara Desh Hai Anna'

Songs like 'Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram' and slogans welcomed Hazare at Ramlila Grounds where the atmosphere of was electrifying as thousands converged there to show solidarity with him.

Thousands hit the roads in Delhi to give huge support to Anna Hazare's Movement

As the white dhoti-kurta-clad 73-year-old anti-corruption crusader stepped slowly out of the prison gate at about 11:30am, the air reverberated with the nationalistic slogans chanted by hundreds who had gathered since dawn to welcome the person spearheading a movement for a stronger Lokpal Bill after he spend three nights at Asia's largest prison.

A smiling Hazare climbed on to a newly erected podium and announced the "second freedom struggle" has started, a statement which was greeted with a deafening roar from the assembled people which included women, senior citizens and even children.

"The fight against corruption will continue whether I am alive or not," he said, flanked by his aides, who it seems were soaking in the glory spawned by the huge support that Hazare had garnered.

A seemingly satisfied Anna led the people in shouting 'Vande Mataram' and waved the tri-colour to his supporters, which included youths and school students.


Over 10,000 people were present at the site, who were not deterred by the heavy rainfall and a slushy ground.

Songs, speeches and slogans rent the air as people from different walks of life including students, housewives, government servants and businessmen made a beeline to the ground to be part of the movement led-by this ex-Army jawan, demanding a strong anti-corruption Lokpal bill.

Anna walks out of Tihar jail, addresses supporters

New Delhi: Civil society leader Anna Hazare Friday left the Tihar Jail after three days to be welcomed by cheering crowds who had been waiting for hours outside. Hazare, 74, is on day four of his fast for a stronger anti-corruption law.

He now moves to the Ramlila ground in central Delhi to continue his protest.

'He'll (Hazare) address the gathering once he comes out of jail and leave for Ramlila ground. He should leave Tihar jail around 11 a.m.,' Kejriwal told a news channel.

'The crowds gathered to support Anna Hazare are spiritual, and there have been no incidents of violence so far in the country where political rallies turn violent easily,' Kejriwal said.

'We've asked all our supporters that if they see anyone indulging in unsocial behaviour, they should immediately report to police,' he added.

Hazare, 74, had planned to begin his fast for a stronger Lokpal Bill at the J.P. Park in the ITO area Tuesday.

Delhi Police imposed certain conditions before the protest could be allowed. Hazare however refused to agree, after which the police detained him and his associates Tuesday.

He was sent to Tihar and was subsequently released Tuesday night, but he refused to leave the jail until allowed to carry on the fast without any conditions. Hazare is expected to continue his fast from Ramlila ground Friday.

BJP-led Municipal Corporation of Delhi roll out the red carpet for Anna Hazare at Ram Leela Maidan

Some 250 workers of the BJP-led MCD are engaged in getting the Ramlila Maidan ready by Friday.Sensing an opportunity BJP's Delhi unit is leaving no stone unturned to roll out the red carpet for Anna Hazare and his aides at Ramlila Maidan. The historic grounds come under the jurisdiction of the BJP-controlled Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), giving the principal opposition an opportunity to be on the side of the popular anti-graft sentiment which has turned against the government.

Taking advantage of a cowed down Congress government, the MCD has turned all its forces towards preparing the grounds that are in a bad condition after incessant rains for the last two days. Six earth movers, 15 trucks which have made as many as 100 rounds to off-load the muck and 250 people who will continue to labour through the night have been pressed into service.

It was only in the early hours of Thursday that MCD was informed that Ramlila Maidan would be the venue for the anti-corruption crusade and BJP leaders in the MCD immediately started rolling out men and machinery towards Hazare's latest protest venue: the swift response starkly contrasting with the lethargic way in which the civic body ordinarily functions.

Leader of the House in MCD Subhash Arya told TOI that he reached the venue at 9 am and supervised work at the grounds till evening, leaving only for a few hours in the afternoon. Other important BJP leaders including state chief Vijender Gupta, Yogender Chandolia and Ramesh Bidhuri were also closely involved with the preparations.

Congress must be keeping a close watch on BJP's enthusiasm. The party has spoken of an "invisible hand" remote-controlling the Hazare campaign, as well as its infiltration by RSS. The Hazare campaign has taken pains to stress that it is not predisposed towards the opposition, and has tried not to let the government's opponents use their platform.

BJP and RSS, which have pledged their support to the anti-corruption movement, were conspicuous by their presence at Baba Ramdev's protest: something that was subsequently cited by the government to justify the midnight police action on the yoga guru's supporters.

The core group of Hazare's campaign has also decided to provide one lakh water pouches with "ISI mark" gratis to the protestors along with provisions for an ambulance and medical supplies.

When asked if the BJP supported Hazare's campaign, Arya said, "The issue was first flagged off by our leader L K Advani and we are willing to support anyone working on the anti-corruption campaign."

He also did not lose the opportunity to rub in the fact that the Congress-led central government had to buckle to the activist. "Congress has bowed down to Hazare. It is a moral defeat for them," he said.

Modi’s residence produces 80 units of electricity everyday…!!

The residences allotted to the Ministers and MLAs, Government quarters and secretariat buildings are lit up with solar power street lights. Solar photovoltaic panels are fixed on the CM’s residence’s roof top which is now regularly generating 80 units of electricity every day. The rooftop has two plants of capacity 10 Kilowatts. Counting at Rs. 15 per unit, it produces 4.38 lacs rupees of electricity with 29.200 units per year.

Hon’ble CM conveyed a statement while inaugurating 1 Megawatt solar plant project near PDPU last January that Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara and other cities can soon produce electricity and earn by selling it to the Government.

Sources from JEDA confirmed that, if any household, businessman or industrial firm produces more than 10 kilowatts of electricity within their premises then government would purchase it and convert it into main grid. The State has fixed 15 Rs per unit according to ‘JERK’. JEDA has issued a tender for 10, 15, 20 and 25 Kilowatt projects. Aid standards and subsidies for rooftop system will be declared soon.

Solar Electricity in Gandhinagar
• 140 Kilowatt on the terrace of block no. 14 in the New Secretariat building.
• 20 Kilowatt on the terrace of CM’s residence.
• 80 Kilowatt on the GPCB building terrace.
• 75 photovoltaic street lights in 6 gardens of Gandhinagar.
• 155 street lights with 1 Kilowatt system on each Government houses.
• 1 Megawatt plant in PDPU campus.


150 Megawatt target in Ahmedabad
Government is announcing an incentive package for producing solar electricity privately, which will attract people greatly. Government has set the target of 150 megawatt in Ahmedabad city to produce electricity on the house terraces.

Citizens can earn 2.25 Lacs/ year
15 Sq.mtrs of space is needed to set up a 1 Kilowatt solar plant; which will primarily cost 1.50 Lacs. JEDA has suggested setting minimum 10 Kilowatt plant to make it in grids which will need 150 sq.meter space costing Rs. 18 lacs. The seller can earn 2.25 lacs/year with 15 Rs/unit.

Gandhinagar to become solar city by 2014
JEDA is planning the implementation of Solar City concept suggested by Shri Narendra Modi. “Gandhinagar will be a full-fledged Solar City by 2014. With the cooperation of people; big cities like Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar will be given chance to produce electricity privately”– Saurabh Patel, Power & Energy Minister.

Ex Congress M.P Jagan Reddy’s 75 room palace in Hyderabad stuns CBI Officials

For the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials conducting a search operation at the lavish residence of Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddyex at Lotus Pond in Hyderabad, it was a jaw-dropping sight. The 75-room residence completely knocked them out.

The officers were at Jagan’s residence in the hope of finding some key documents relating to the amassing of wealth by one of the richest MPs of the country.

“The CBI did not have an idea of the scale of the building. Theofficials quickly found out that the six members in the team would never be able to complete the search and inventorising of the building. So, more officers were sent into the building,” a source tracking the developments said.

Jagan’s residence is situated in a 32-acre spread, in the upmarket Banjara Hills area. Not many could enter the building since the raids on Jagan’s establishments began on Thursday morning as it was under a cover of tight security. But the sources said it was nothing less than a palace!

“It is spread in a place double the size of the international cricket stadium in Hyderabad,” the source said. It was also said that there was a plan to construct a helipad on the premises and Jagan was thinking of buying a helicopter. Unofficial estimates pegged the cost of the building including its interiors at close to Rs350 crore.

For the officers in the search team, it took them 10 hours to go through the building and record the inventory. “Even the bathrooms were searched,” the source said. However, getting into some of the rooms was not that easy for the CBI officers.
Family members of the son of former chief minister YS

Rajasekhara Reddy at first refused them entry into a prayer hall. It took some tough talking from VV Laxminarayana, joint director of the CBI in Hyderabad, to convince the family members including some women members of the family, to step aside.

Interestingly, Jagan was busy on his consolation tour (Odarpu Yatra) in Krishna district of the state while the CBI officials were busy recording the findings at his residence.

“The entire building was video-recorded by the CBI officers,” the source said.

Jagan’s sister and YSR’s daughter Sharmila, her husband and an evangelist Anil Kumar, Jagan’s mother and YSR’s widow Vijaya Lakshmi were present at the residence at the time of the search. Sources said CBI officials questioned Vijaya Lakshmi and Br Anil Kumar, and that the family members were cooperating with the investigators.

What the search yielded was not known but apparently several incriminating documents and computer hard-discs were found in some of the rooms. It was following a direction from the Andhra Pradesh high court that the CBI swung into action to probe the allegations of amassing of wealth by the MP during the time his father was chief minister of the state.

It was alleged that the corporate entities and individuals who were allotted land for SEZs, mines and irrigation projects, pumped in kickbacks in the form of investments in Jagan’s businesses including the two media outfits - a Telugu news daily and a TV channel. The CBI filed an FIR in a special court in Hyderabad on Wednesday naming Jagan as a prime accused.

Various sections including 120B (criminal conspiracy) were slapped on Jagan by the CBI. “The CBI officers were unfair while conducting the searches. They had taken inventory of even the handkerchiefs and furniture in the house,” B Shobha Nagireddy, a follower of Jagan, said.

Note:

On Apr 15, 2011 Jagan Reddy declares Rs 365 crore assets

In 2009, Jagan had declared assets of Rs 77 crore.

IANS HYDERABAD: Former MP and president of newly-floated YSR Congress Party Y S Jaganmohan Reddy is perhaps one of the richest politicians in India, with declared assets of Rs 365 crore.

In 2009, Jagan had declared assets of Rs 77 crore.

The son of the late Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy Friday declared movable and immovable assets of Rs 365 crore while filing his nomination for the May 8 bypoll to Kadapa Lok Sabha seat. He submitted an affidavit to the returning officer declaring his assets.

Jagan Reddy, India’s richest politician, lied to EC on assets
May 16, 2011

According to his election affidavit, Jagan Reddy is India’s richest Member of Parliament with declared assets (net of liabilities) valued at Rs 365 crore. His wife has properties, cash and jewellery worth Rs 47.25 crore (net of liabilities). That a mere MP can accumulate so much wealth is anyway cause for concern; that he has not disclosed all his assets – often held by proxies – shows how the powerful manipulate the system to accumulate wealth for their own ends.

What is going to earn him infamy is the fact that Jagan has misled the Commission about his assets. For example, he did not declare his palatial houses in Hyderabad and Bangalore worth over Rs 200 crore

His house in HUDA Heights, Lotus Pond area of Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, is under construction. Jagan has cleverly concealed his ownership of a massive mansion in Bangalore, which has a private helipad. It is located in the Green Belt area of Yelahanka. This property is valued at over Rs 100 crore

Jagan’s wealth would not have been problematic but for the speed with which he acquired it. In 2004, when Jagan’s father YSR Reddy was yet to become the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, he had only Rs 8.19 lakh of assets. Clearly, being the son of a Chief Minister is not injurious to one’s acquisitive streak.

Five years later (in 2009), by the time YSR completed his first term as CM, his son’s assets together with that of his wife had jumped to Rs 77.40 crore. Just two years later, he and his wife were worth Rs 410 crore. And we know he hasn’t disclosed everything.

While little is known about the Bangalore property, details of how Jagan acquired the plots in the HUDA Heights Lotus Pond area of Banjara Hills are now available with Firstpost.

The sale deeds reveal a well-worn style of operation used by people who have something to hide. Documents accessed by Firstpost investigation partner THL-Mediagrove reveal how four ‘front’ companies (companies that are typically created to shield against legal or tax liability without any seeming operations) of Jagan acquired six adjoining plots in this manner:

Marvel Infrastructure purchased Plot 6 in Huda Heights for Rs 4.31 crore
Records show that Harish Chenna Veerappa Kamarthy is the key person in Jagan’s companies. He is a director in Marvel Infrastructure. The company came into existence on 31 January 2006 and the other director is Ramesh Babu.

Both the directors invested Rs 1,000 each and the capital is Rs 26.42 crore.

On 10 April 2008, the company purchased plot no 6 in HUDA Heights for Rs 4.31 crore (Rs 4,31,88,990 to be exact). Official records accessed on behalf of Firstpost reveal that Rs 20.24 crore was invested into this company by Classic Reality, while Sandur Power’s investment is Rs 1.35 crore and Silicon Builders invested Rs 4.80 crore. All the three companies are owned by Jagan.

Jagan directly invested Rs 3.05 lakh in shares of in this company.

Harish Infrastructure purchased Plot 8 for Rs 4.10 crore
The company was created on 18 January 2007 with Harish Chenna Veerappa Kamarthy and Jagan’s wife Bharathi Reddy as its directors with an investment of Rs 4.98 crore.

On 28 January 2008, the company purchased plot no. 8 in HUDA Heights for Rs 4,10,50,000 (Rs 4.10 crore). The shareholding pattern of this company, too, is interesting. While one of the directors, Harish Chenna Veerappa Kamarthy, invested just Rs 1,000, Jagan’s wife Bharathi Reddy invested Rs 98,000. Jagan’s Sandur Power invested Rs 4.97 crore.

The company lent Rs 40 lakh to an anonymous person in the 2007-08 fiscal year.

Documentation accessed by Firstpost’s partner THL-Mediagrove reveal that this company strangely does not have any operational expenditure that would naturally be incurred in running the company, including salary payment of its employees.

Capstone Infrastructure purchased Plots 3 & 4 for Rs 4.47 and Rs 4 crore respectively
The company came into existence on 1 June 2007 with Harish Chenna Veerappa Kamarthy and AV Raju as its directors. Since inception, the company pays only Rs 25,000 towards the salaries of its employees, which is a poor reflection of the business operations of this infrastructure company.

Four months after its incorporation, on 13 October 2007, the company accomplished the purpose of its creation by purchasing plot no 4 in HUDA Heights for Rs 4 crore.

On 1 January* 2009, it spent Rs 4.47crore to purchase plot no. 3 in HUDA Heights.

Jagan’s Classic Realty has spent Rs 4.42 crore to acquire shares in the company.

Jagan’s Sandur Power – his key business interest apart from property – has invested Rs 1 lakh and Jagan’s Silicon Builders invested Rs 4.30 crore. The same company again invested Rs 1 crore and an anonymous company invested another Rs 70 lakh during this period.

Utopia Infrastructure purchased Plots 2 & 7 for Rs 1.37 crore and Rs 3.76 crore.
Jagan’s uncle EC Gangi Reddy, aunt EC Suguna and his close associate B Ramesh Babu floated the company with just Rs 1 lakh on 12 June 2006.

Gangi Reddy and Suguna brought in Rs 50,000 each as their initial investment. A year after it was incorporated the company purchased a plot of land in HUDA Heights, Lotus Pond area of Banjara Hills, for Rs 3,76,63,000 (Rs 3.76 crore).

The company shows that in the 2007-08 fiscal year, it borrowed Rs 4.5 crore from ‘a’ company, the identity of which remains anonymous. In the year 2009-10, the company received Rs 1.80 crore as application money from Silicon Builders. But in reality, Silicon Builders is another front company of Jagan.

Except for Utopia Infrastructure, all of the above mentioned companies, which acquired the six plots of land in Banjara Hills, are mentioned in Jagan’s declaration of assets in his 2011 election affidavit. Capstone is indirectly mentioned through the ownership of Sandur Power and Classic Realty.

Jagan’s modus operandi is old-fashioned; open several companies, transfer funds from one company to another and use these front companies to acquire assets. In his 2011 election affidavit he has revealed his direct and indirect ownership of 11 companies. These are:

Sandur Power
Saraswati Power
Carmel Asia Holdings
Bharathi Cement Corp
Kealawn Technologies Pvt Ltd
Marvel Infrastructure
Classic Realty
Silicon Builders
Swasti Power Engineering Ltd
Sandur Power Pvt. Ltd and Jagati Publication Limited (JPL) are Jagan’s flagship companies. JPL, in which Carmel Asia holds shares, operates his vast media business in Andhra Pradesh, including Sakshi TV Channel and Sakshi newspaper. At launch during the 2009 elections, JPL had managed to arm-twist many companies to invest in it, including Matrix Group, India Cement, Lanco, and, above all, B Ramalinga Raju, the Satyam promoter who is now in jail for mis-stating accounts and cheating investors.

A cursory glance at Sandur Power’s annual reports will show that it has several subsidiaries, such as:

Classic Realty
Harish Infrastructure
Capstone Infra
Silicon Builders
It is important to note that while Jagan has declared his shareholding status in all other companies in his 2011 election affidavit, he has not mentioned Utopia Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.

It is clear from the manner in which these companies are structured that they are front companies of Jagan Reddy. Interestingly Jagan’s mouthpiece, Sakshi newspaper, on 9 September 2010 admitted the ownership of the HUDA Heights Lotus Pond (Banjara Hills) plots in the name of Jagan Reddy and Sharmila Reddy.

The newspaper report stated that Jagan owned 3,800 square yards (or 3,177.283 square metres) of the property in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, and that his sister Sharmila Reddy owned 2,100 square yards (or 1755.867 square metres).

In effect, Jagan owns a 4,933.15 square metre plot in the poshest locality of Hyderabad. According to the current property rates in Hyderabad (if one goes by the current rate of Rs 5,737 per square feet in Banjara Hills) just the land price of this plot owned by Jagan Reddy is currently valued at Rs 30.46 crore.

But as mentioned earlier, the sale deeds of these plots show ownership in the name of four front companies of Jagan.

So Jagan’s fancy palace, rumoured to be the biggest house in Andhra Pradesh, is being constructed on Plots 2,3,4,6,7 and 8 of HUDA Heights, Lotus Pond (Banjara Hills).

Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy won from Kadapa Parliamentary Constituency and Pulivendula Assembly constituency respectively with record-breaking margins. PTI

The floor plans show 14 escalators, 10 lifts, a mini-theater of 200 seating capacity, libraries, squash court, gyms, marble flooring in about 60 rooms and bathrooms which are of the size of a single bedroom flat.

The current construction cost in Hyderabad’s Banjara Hills area is Rs 10,000 per square ft. So construction on Jagan’s 4,933.15 square metres, or 53,099.984 square feet, would cost Rs 53.09 crore.

Add to this the cost of the land currently valued at Rs 30.46 crore. According to the sale deeds the price paid for the acquiring the land is Rs 22.04 crore.

Jagan’s undeclared opulence is bound to taint his Kadapa by-poll victory because he deliberately with-held information on his massive properties worth hundreds of crore in Hyderabad and Bangalore.

Several political parties in Andhra have demanded a CBI enquiry. Senior TDP politician Yanamala Ramakrishnudu told THL-Mediagrove: “There should be a detailed CBI enquiry of his properties. He also resorted to a lot of Fema (Foreign Exchange Management Act) violations. Till 2004 he was a struggling industrialist with no profits from any of his companies; today he owns one of the biggest business empires in Andhra. His modus operandi is simple, abuse of power and benami transactions”.

Congress’s official spokesperson Tulasi Reddy feels Jagan’s property dealings are just the tip of a mammoth corruption iceberg. “His properties must be thoroughly investigated. No company has seen the share values increase so much. This is the heights of corruption. We demand a thorough investigation and necessary action has to be initiated”.

Anna's victory lap from Tihar to begin soon

New Delhi: Three days after he shook the government and sparked popular protests, social activist Anna Hazare will finally walk out of Tihar Jail at around 11 am on Friday - he will continue his fast at the Ramlila Maidan. He spent a third night at Tihar with his supporters continuing to rally for him outside.

From Tihar he will head to Ramlila Grounds to continue with his fast for another 15 days. Anna is expected to leave Tihar at around 11 am and reach the fast venue post-noon.

"Anna will come out from Tihar at around 11 am. He will go to Rajghat first, then he will go to Ramlila Maidan," Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday morning.

Three days after he sparked popular protests, Anna Hazare will walk out of Tihar Jail.

"Anna will go to Mayapuri Chowk and then to Rajghat. Then he will go to India Gate, Vijay Chowk and then to Ramleela Maidan," said Kiran Bedi.

"Anna is on a dharna because he was taken into custody for no reason and then let off. Anna would have gone to Ramlila Maidan if the the ground was ready," she added.

Earlier, Delhi Police had claimed that the Ramlila Maidan was ready on Thursday, but Anna was advised by his team members to wait as they felt the preparations weren't enough.

Outside Tihar on Friday morning, a part of the entrance has been blocked to facilitate Anna's exit. But supporters remained jubilant through the night, singing songs and chanting slogans.

Anna Hazare Arrested - Parliament reverberated

Parliament reverberated today with the repercussions of Anna Hazare’s arrest as the Opposition came out in unanimous support of the activist’s right to peaceful protest and rejected the government’s claim that the arrest was made to uphold parliamentary supremacy. It sought unconditional permission for Anna’s fast.

Leaders of Opposition in both Houses - Sushma Swaraj in the Lok Sabha and Arun Jaitely in the Rajya Sabha - tore into Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s defence that the government was duty-bound to maintain peace when some sections (read Anna and team) challenged its authority and Parliament’s prerogative to make laws. “The issue is not whether a Lokpal Bill is necessary; the question is who drafts the law,” the PM said in a statement justifying Anna’s arrest. The Opposition dismissed his contentions that Anna’s campaign was a confrontation between Parliament and the civil society, with Jaitely asking if anyone had ever disputed Parliament’s right to make laws. “The question is not who drafts the law; the question is that people have the right to express views on those laws,” he said, ripping into PM’s arguments that the government arrested Anna to protect democratic principles which he was questioning by seeking to foist his version of the Lokpal Bill on Parliament and wanting to fast towards that end. The debate happened under Rule 193.

The PM’s statement merely listed events leading up to Anna’s arrest and snubbed the Gandhian saying those who believe their voice alone represents the will of 1.2 billion persons should reflect on that position. “Many forces will not like to see us realise our true place. We must not play into their hands,” the PM warned. In the LS, he was repeatedly disrupted and Speaker Meira Kumar had to request for calm.

His statement had the Opposition wondering who drafted it. Jaitely had an answer when he took a dig at P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal and Salman Khursheed. He said: “This is the problem with a government that has too many lawyers advising it. It invokes Section 144 of the CrPC for what is a political solution.”

Anna Hazare - A Profile -Know whom you are Supporting

Short Biography of Anna Hazare – Story of Army Driver becoming the Crusader of the Movement





Name - Kisan Bapat Baburao Hazare known as Anna Hazare

Birth date - 15 January 1940

Anna Hazare was born in Bhingar village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra state in western India to Baburao Hazare and Laxmi Bai, an unskilled labourer family
He was raised by his childless aunt in Mumbai but could not continue beyond VII standard and had to quit midway due to problems.
He has two sisters.


He is unmarried.

1963
Anna Hazare started his career as a driver in the Indian Army.

During his 15-year tenure as a soldier, he was posted to several states like Sikkim, Bhutan, Jammu-Kashmir, Assam, Mizoram, Leh and Ladakh and braved challenging weathers.

Anna was greatly influenced by Swami Vivekananda’s teachings.

In the year 1965, Pakistan attacked India and at that time, Hazare was posted at the Khemkaran border. On November 12, 1965, Pakistan launched air attacks on Indian base and all of Hazare’s comrades became martyrs

In 1978, he took voluntary retirement from the 9th Maratha Battalion

After serving 15 Years in Army Anna took the voluntary retirement and returned to his native place in Ralegan Siddhi, in the Parner tehsil of Ahmednagar district.

Ralegan Siddhi falls in the drought-prone area with a mere 400 to 500 mm of annual rainfall.

There were no weirs to retain rainwater.

During the month of April and May, water tankers were the only means of drinking water.

Almost 80 per cent of the villagers were dependent on other villages for food grains. Residents used to walk for more than four to six kilometers in search of work

Hazare came across the work of one Vilasrao Salunke, a resident of Saswad near Pune who had started a novel project of water management through watershed development in a joint venture with the Gram Panchyat. Hazare visited the project and decided to implement it in Ralegan Siddhi.

He steered the villagers to begin working towards water conservation.

At the outset, they completed 48 Nala Bunding work, contour trenches, staggered trenches, gully plugs, meadows development and of forestation of 500 hectares of land. Thereafter, they constructed five RCC weirs and 16 Gabion Weirs.

This resulted in increase in the ground water level.

Hazare’s Ralegan Siddhi became the first role model of an ideal village from the worst village to an ideal village.

Anna rightly thought that Development is marred by corruption and started a new venture in 1991 called Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Aandolan (BVJA) or public movement against corruption.

It was found that some 42 forest officers had duped the state government for crores of rupees through corruption in confederacy.

Hazare submitted the evidences to the government but the latter was reluctant to take action against all these officers as one of the ministers of the ruling party was involved in the scam.

A distressed Hazare returned the Padmashree Award to the President of India and also returned the Vriksha Mitra Award given by then prime minister of India Rajiv Gandhi.

He further went on an indefinite hunger strike in Alandi on the same issue.

Finally, the government woke up and took action against the criminal and corrupt officers as well as six of the ministers were forced to resign and more than 400 officers from different government offices were sent back to home.

Hazare raised the issue of alleged massive land purchase by Gholap's wife Shashikala in Nashik between April to September 1996.

He forwarded the available documentary evidences in support of his allegations to then Maharashtra Governor P. C. Alexander

On 4 November 1997, Gholap filed a defamation suit against Hazare for accusing him of corruption.

On 9 September 1998, Anna Hazare was imprisoned in the Yerawada Jail after being sentenced to simple imprisonment for three months by the Mumbai Metropolitan Court all political parties, every one from Maharashtra came in support of him

Later due to public protest, outcry the Government of Maharashtra ordered his release from the jail.

The state government has opened cooperative societies, credit societies & urban banks everywhere in states.

However, the directors of such societies do the corruption and failed to pay back the basic amount to the members of the societies.

Thus poor people get cheated when Anna saw this he again began his agitation against this.


Hazare agitated for over eight months.

The result was that more than Rs 125 crore was recovered from defaulters and the members of such societies heaved a sigh of relief.

Recovery of around Rs. 400 crores is in the pipeline.

After this Anna started to fight for the Right to information act.

Government ignored Anna.

In 1997 Anna agitated in Azad Maidan in Mumbai to create mass public awareness about RTI amongst the youth.

Anna started to travel across state.

Government promised Anna they will pass RTI act but in reality they never did it.

For this Anna agitated ten times for this law.

When Anna saw that Government is not willing to pass this law Anna went on an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in the last week of July 2003.

After 12 days of Hunger strike in Azad Maidan the President of India signed the draft of the Right to Information Act and ordered the state government to implement it with effect from 2002. The same draft was considered as the base document for the making of the National Right to Information Act-2005.

In 2003 Anna Hazare raised corruption charges against 4 ministers of the Congress-NCP government

Government ignored him

Then Anna started his fast unto death agitation on 9 August 2003.

He ended his fast on 17 August 2003 after then chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde formed a one man commission, headed by the retired justice P. B. Sawant to probe his charges.

The P. B. Sawant commission report was submitted on 23 February 2005, indicted Suresh Jain, Nawab Malik and Padmasinh Patil.

Suresh Jain and Nawab Malik resigned from the cabinet in March 2005

Jan Lokpal Bill –
Agitation and hunger strike at the age of 73 and great victory against powerful and rich government

India against corruption movement
N. Santosh Hegde, a former justice of the Supreme Court of India and Lokayukta of Karnataka, Prashant Bhushan, a senior lawyer in the Supreme Court along with the members of the India against Corruption movement drafted an alternate bill, named as the Jan Lokpal Bill (People's Ombudsman Bill) with more stringent provisions and wider power to the Lokpal (Ombudsman)


On April 5 2011 Again Anna started second freedom struggle in India.
Anna wrote to everyone regarding Jan Lok Pal bill but no one listened him
After that on 5th April 2011 Started fast unto death to wake up the government for India.
Anna started war against corruption in India.
Hazare has started a fast unto death from 5 April 2011 at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, to press for the demand to form a joint committee of the representatives of the Government and the civil society to draft a new bill with stronger penal actions and more independence to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Ombudsmen in the states)

In beginning Government of India ignored him, many people said many things, but as First day was over Anna got the support from every corner of India and
No one has expected such a support Anna will get for this bill.

Over night table were turned and after 4 days of discussion with government of India servants .
Finally Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh realized that demand of Anna is right and government accepted all the demands of Anna.
Thus Jantar Mantar saved from becoming another Tahir Square.

Anna Hazare won the following awards –
1. Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra award by the Government of India on November 19, 1986 from the hands of Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi.
2. 1989 - Krishi Bhushana award by the Government of Maharashtra.
3. 1990 - Padmashri award, by the Government of India
4. 1992 - Padmabhushan award, by the Government of India
5. 2008 - On April 15 2008, Anna Hazare received the World Bank's 2008 Jit Gill Memorial Award for Outstanding Public Service
6. Care International of the USA, Transparency International, Seoul (South Korea)
7. He received awards worth Rs 25 lakh and donated the entire amount for the Swami Vivekananda Kritadnyata Nidhi (social gratitude fund). Out of the two lakh rupees received from the above amount, mass marriages are carried of at least 25-30 poor couples every year.

Anna Hazare has given his life for the benefit of India.

He got the home in his village but he has not entered in that house from last 35 years.

Anna Hazare and Properties –

Anna Hazare has declared he has got Rs68, 688 in bank balance and cash and three pieces of land
Hazare's lands were either donated to him or family owned
In his statement, Hazare said two land pieces measuring 0.07 Hectares and two hectares are in his native village in Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra while 0.46 hectare of land is in Pimpianer.
one of the pieces of land in Ralegan Siddhi was donated by Army to him which he has donated for village use
the Pimpianer land was donated to him by a villager.Hazare has further donated this land for village use.




Anna Hazare never got any grant from Government of India.



Appeal: Lets Support Anna Hazare.


Jai Hind....!

Great deal of angst and anger forced Govt.to free Hazare

NEW DELHI: A nervous government suddenly capitulated on Tuesday, jettisoning its attempt to take on Lokpal activists led by Gandhian leader Anna Hazare in the face of rising criticism that it has cracked down on an anti-corruption movement.

Always a risk-laden option, the move to confront Anna and arrest him backfired on the government and Congress as after spending the day defending the police action, the ruling coalition found the civil society leader too hot a potato to keep in the Tihar Jail.

Having said that the action against Anna was taken by the Delhi Police because as it apprehended he would commit a "cognizable offence" by defying prohibitory orders at the venue where Anna was to go on fast, it is clear that legal arguments proved to be totally inadequate.

"Hazare said he was proceeding to Jaiprakash Narain Park to defy the orders. At that time, police came to the conclusion that he and his supporters would commit a cognizable offence and there could be likely breach of peace and they decided to take action under Sections 107 and 151 of CrPC," home minister P Chidambaram said.

But it was not a case of whether Anna was going to break a law. It was about the moral offensive he was launching, running down the government as an entity incapable of delivering a genuinely effective anti-corruption Lokpal. This is the issue at hand that the government's spokespersons have only partially addressed.

After deliberations, including a meeting of the cabinet committee on political affairs, and faced with a united Opposition, HRD minister Kapil Sibal and I&B minister Ambika Soni said they shared Anna's concern on corruption. "We are on Anna's side and Anna is on our side (as far as fight against corruption is concerned)," Sibal said, adding that the disagreement was over Team Anna's insistence on accepting their bill and no other bill.

Chidambaram admitted that there was "great deal of angst and anger" among people on corruption and termed the Lokpal as "not a panacea but one of the answers" to deal with the menace. The government line was shared by the Congress, which felt that tackling Anna's movement carried the inherent risk of painting the government as favouring the corrupt because the aam aadmi, suffering daily hardships, was unlikely to be drawn into legal niceties.

The tricky issue manifested itself in the form of Anna's judicial custody, with party leaders saying it was bound to be seen as another government act of persecuting the veteran leader. The ruling party was hoping that Anna would be set free after arrest. But the court decision to send him to jail gave another issue to civil society to agitate against. Anna's late night release appeared targeted at blunting this criticism that the government had to face both in Parliament and outside.

With corruption having a strong resonance with the aam aadmi, there is a realization that it will be tough to deal with Anna while not being seen to be soft on corruption. Many felt the need to act fast on anti-corruption measures, with delays proving costly. The Lokpal bill itself is set to stay beyond the monsoon session of Parliament, providing a reason for the government's opponents to rally around.

The anti-graft momentum had allies like the Samajwadi Party and the RLD and the Left too joined the BJP-led Opposition ranks to protest Anna's arrest. It showed that painting the Anna agitation with RSS was not cutting ice in the short run, with an SP leader saying it was the party's compulsion to be seen with the popular opinion. While BSP stayed away, the SP was not scared into thinking that it could cost support among minorities in the coming polls.

In a marked difference from earlier Congress attacks on Anna, Soni said the activist was a "reputed person" and the government trusted his word on the protest being peaceful. She, however, said that no one could guarantee that there would not be any problem when such large numbers of people gathered at one place as people seated on a dais do not have control on each and every person participating in an agitation.

While echoing similar views, Chidambaram said the only way a law could be made was by legislating it in Parliament. "But if laws are not to be made by Parliament but by some social activists in a maidan, however well-meaning they are, outside Parliament, then it is beyond my comprehension," the home minister said.

Chidambaram termed as "careless" lawyer Shanti Bhushan's allegation that the Delhi Police was a puppet in the hands of the Centre. "There would be different conditions for different venues, whether the restrictions are reasonable or not can be decided in a court of law," he said, adding exhorting government employees to take mass leave was a "wrong call."
Credits:TOI

PM has started speaking like Kapil Sibal: Anna Hazare

If government falls, we don't care, says Anna

New Delhi: Social activist Anna Hazare on Monday lashed out at the government accusing it of misusing its power and said that the Prime Minister has also started speaking like Union Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal. "I had great regard for the Prime Minister, but he has also started speaking the language of minister Kapil Sibal," Anna said.

Quoting the Prime Minister's Independence Day speech about the Lokpal Bill and the procedure in Parliament, Anna said that he trusts Parliament but not its members. He also said that though Parliament will pass the bill, but the major concern is to hand over the right bill to Parliament. "The government doesn't have the will power to bring the right Lokpal Bill. If the right Lokpal Bill comes, 60 to 65 per cent corruption will be wiped off," he said.

Anna also called for a 'jail bharo aandolan', saying that going to jail for betterment of the country is good.

Addressing the nation a day before his fast, Anna made it clear that he will start his fast from August 16 despite being denied permission.

Defending his fight against corruption, Anna said that his fight will continue till his last breath. He also said that he has no intentions of bringing down the government. "If the government doesn't understand the intentions of the common man, then we don't care even if the government falls," he said.

He also laid stress on the farmers' plight in the country saying that the government is only concerned on giving land to industrialists. "They fire, carry out lathicharge upon farmers and the poor people to give land. The government is not concerned about farmers," he said.

"Farmers were fired upon in Pune, this is not the right independence. We have to talk and fight for change," he added.

Section 144 imposed at the fast venue, but Anna to go ahead with fast

Section 144 has been imposed at the JP Park, the venue where Anna Hazare is supposed to fast from August 16. Heavy security has also been deployed at the venue.

The Delhi Police rejected the undertaking given by Team Anna on Monday after they refused to accept some of the key conditions set.

The conditions that were not accepted by the Hazare team were capping the day of protest to three and the number of protestors to below 5,000, government doctors to check on Hazare, ban on use of loudspeakers after 9 pm, limiting the number of vehicles to 50 cars and 50 motorcycles in parking and that no tent be erected.

The police move to reject the application came soon after the Hazare team submitted an undertaking leaving six out of the 22 conditions laid out by Delhi Police for granting permission for the fast at the park.

Anna said that they are ready to court arrest if they are not allowed to fast at the JP Park in the national capital from August 16. He also said that once released, they will return back to the same venue and fast again.

If government falls, we don't care, says Anna

NEW DELHI: Expressing his desire that the Lokpal bill will be a reality soon, social activist Anna Hazare said, "We are not interested in pulling down the government but during our fight for change, if it falls, we don't care."

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Sunday, he said, "there has to be a mass uprising to bring about a change." He also said that he will live and die for the country.

He reiterated that he will be starting his fast from tomorrow. He also called for a revolution to "fight against the government and change the system". He added that he has faith in the country's parliament but the government was not producing the correct version of the Lokpal bill before it.

"We believe completely in the country's parliament but the government is producing the flawed version of the bill before it," said Hazare reacting to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement that the Lokpal bill had been introduced in parliament.

Hazare further said that the fight for a stringent Lokpal bill is fine, but there is a need for a revolution to change the prevalent system in the country.

"A revolution on a much larger scale is the need of the hour to fight against the government and change the system," he said.

"This is a fight for change and till the time our system doesn't change we won't progress. Even after 64 years there is corruption and scams, what is the use of this Independence? This freedom is not right," said Hazare.

"The government is only concerned about power and money," he added.

Hazare is scheduled to begin a hunger strike to press for a stronger Lokpal bill from Tuesday but has been denied permission by the Delhi Police to do so.

Centre won't interfere

The Centre has decided not to interfere with the decision of Delhi Police's refusal of permission to Anna Hazare to hold his protest fast, saying the force has taken the stand on its own and it was fully capable of dealing with any situation.

"The home ministry will not interfere in the decision of Delhi Police. We have nothing to do with it," the official said.

A home ministry official said the Delhi Police took the decision of denying permission to Team Anna to stage the protest since they refused to comply with its set conditions which are applicable to any group which wanted to stage any protest in the national capital.

The Centre also thinks that Delhi Police are capable of dealing with any situation arising out of Hazare's announcement that he would go ahead with the protest despite the refusal of the permission.

"If they (Team Anna) decide to go ahead with their programme defying the order, law will take its own course," the official said.

Corrupt Govt. makes heavy road blocks for Anna Hazare's Fast

Govt of India behaves like Burmese Dictators Repeats the mud slugging of Baba Ramdev
Anna Hazare not so clean, say govt & Cong


NEW DELHI: The government and Anna Hazare headed for a showdown as the confrontation over anti-graft activist's proposed fast in support of a Lokpal bill scripted by his group rapidly escalated on Sunday.

In a coordinated attack, the government and Congress questioned Hazare's anti-corruption credentials while challenging him to reveal his source of funding. Stung by the charges, Hazare challenged the government to prove "even Rs 100 of corruption" against him.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari lashed out at Hazare over a report submitted by Justice P B Sawant in 2005 that cited a diversion of funds from a trust run by the Gandhian. The decision to refer to the six-year-old report was deliberate, intended to undercut Hazare's credentials as an anti-corruption crusader.

Referring to Team Hazare as "A-company", Tewari said it comprised "armchair fascists, overground Maoists, closet anarchists... lurking behind forces of right reaction and funded by invisible donors whose links may go back a long way abroad".

Govt looks to undercut Anna anti-graft edge

By upping the ante against the Anna Hazare campaign, the government seems to have decided to run the risk of being criticized of throttling an anti-corruption protest. But there is a strong consensus in Congress that Hazare should not be allowed to set the agenda.

It is now evident that the government is not ready to allow Hazare to stage his protest without agreeing to a timeline to wind it up. The ruling party seems to have steeled itself for a clash, with the protesters that might see the police arresting leaders if the Hazare group goes ahead with its plan to sit at JP Park near Feroze Shah Kotla.

Congress spokesperson Tewari claimed the "moral core" of Hazare was "ripped apart" by the PB Sawant Commission of 2003 and said, "The fast from August 16 has nothing to do with either the issue of corruption or the Lokpal Bill. If that was the case, Hazare would have first clarified the grave charges... What is Hazare's clarification about the serious findings...The nation wants to know."




Kejriwal hits out at restrictions on Hazare's fast

A key associate of Anna Hazare on Monday accused the government of a "dictatorial attitude" for imposing restrictions on the Gandhian's fast against corruption set to start on Tuesday. Arvind Kejriwal told reporters that the restrictions betrayed a "dictatorial and arbitrary attitude" and said Hazare would not call off his hunger strike.

He said the Delhi Police, clearly with the sanction of the government, was trying to obstruct Hazare's protest meant to show the civil society's unhappiness with the government version of the lokpal bill.

The police, he said, had told the organisers that more than 5,000 people could not gather at the protest site, only 50 vehicles could be parked, no tent could be erected, no sound system put up, and only government doctors could examine Hazre when he fasts.

All these conditions, Kejriwal said, were "unreasonable, unjustified".

Kejriwal said while police were entitled to impose reasonable restrictions to maintain law and order, he wondered how a tent posed a security threat.

"It is raining now. Where will people take shelter if there is no tent?

"And why allow only 50 vehicles to be parked. Why not 100? Why not 75? How have they arrived at this figure of 50? It is completely arbitrary."

Kejriwal said a sound system was a must in case Hazre had to make appeals in the event of any trouble.

"They are creating an Emergency like situation," Kejriwal said, referring to the 1975-77 period when thousands of political activists were jailed and fundamental rights were suspended.

Kejriwal's comments came only a few hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his Independence Day speech, said that hunger strikes were no answer in the search for a lokpal bill.

Kejriwal, however, made it clear that Hazare and his supporters would undertake the fast from Tuesday as promised.

"We will definitely go there and sit peacefully." he said, and added that the option of seeking judicial intervention was not ruled out.

Anna Hazare Movement - The time line starts now

Mumbai: A rally held to support the Jan Lokpall Bill and Anna Hazare commenced on Tuesday at Dadar station and culminated at Azad Maidan with throngs of people taking to the streets. Below is a timeline of the events of the day.

8.30 am
Anti-graft crusaders assemble outside Dadar station to participate in the India Against Corruption rally. Senior citizens are joined by young students from Anandratri Vidyalaya, Santacruz and chant slogans 'Inquilab Zindabad, Anna Hazare, aage badho hum tumhare saath hain.' AR Pathan, a retired policeman, said, "This is our second freedom struggle against the cancer of corruption."

9.00 am
The 74-year-old crusader Anna Hazare arrives and lights a torch to symbolise the start of the protest. The rally begins.

9.30 am
Members of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association greet Anna Hazare.

10.30 am
People make their way to Azad Maidan and sing patriotic songs. While Vinod Shenbaga, a local, chose to take a day off from work, Sanchita Pawar, a Xavier's student, missed class to join the rally.

12.30 am
By mid-afternoon the crowd grows, with protesters condemning politicians.

2.00 pm
Huge crowds of businessmen's associations throng to the maidan. They move to Churchgate station and the Gateway of India to garner additional support.

5.30 pm
Anna Hazare arrives at Press Club for the conference. Hazare and Kejriwal request people to switch off their lights from 8 to 9 pm on August 15 and request citizens to refrain from going to work from August 16.

6.00 pm
Hazare arrives at Azad Maidan to lead a torch rally to August Kranti.

London Riots instigated by Somalis and Muslims ?

Read some tips from the reports at the below given link.Fingers point to some thing
which is not reported openly in the media so far but the Iranian leaders and the Gadaffis are reacting in favour of the rioters

1.Rioters who had targeted shops on Commercial Road arrived in the area as prayers were finishing at the East London Mosque on Monday evening.

2.“Within about 10 minutes there were 1,500 people on the street, not just Asians but also Somalis,” said Muhammad Ali, 27.

3.“The riots are disgusting, I would never have thought I would have witnessed something like this in a civilised society,”

4.They arrived as a large number of worshippers – many in their 20s and 30s – were spilling out onto the street.

Read more at:http://muslimmatters.org

Kapil Sibal not fit to be minister: Anna Hazare

August 05, 2011

After Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh another Congress leader has incurred the wrath of social activist Anna Hazare.
This time Hazare has slammed Human Resource Minister Kapil Sibal [ Images ] for sabotaging the Lokpal bill by not bringing a good bill before the Parliament.

Speaking to reporters on Friday from Ralegan Siddhi, Hazare said that Anna was not fit to remain as minister.

"Sibal is not fit to be a minister, if he would have been a good minister then he would have brought a better bill (Lokpal).
Ministers like Sibal are damaging the country," said Hazare. He accused Sibal of not having 'good' intentions about the Lokpal as he was bent on sabotaging it from the beginning.

Hazare attributed the smear campaign against active members of the civil society to Sibal who wanted the civil society to be discredited before the eyes of the people.
"He has been spreading lies and falsehood since day one. Prashant Bhushan and his father Shanti Bhushan were deliberately targeted through the fake audio CD.
Even former Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hedge was targeted. He even tried to snoop on me with an objective to get some leverage," alleged Hazare.

Hazare said that several persons were assigned the job to find out how many properties he held. "I stay in a temple and neither have I accumulated any wealth.
He (Sibal) can keep looking, but he will not find anything against me," said Hazare.

Before Sibal, it was Congress leader Digvijay Singh who had irked the social activist when the latter tried to link the civic society movement to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
Hazare had then said that Singh should be sent to a mental asylum.

Asia stocks plunge, joining in global rout

‘Complete loss of confidence’ dominates; Hang Seng index drops 4.3%

HONG KONG — Asian stock markets were pounded Friday as a severe sell-off on Wall Street and escalating fears over the global economic outlook took a heavy toll on investor confidence, prompting a flight to safety.

The stampede out of equities spared few sectors or individual stocks as losing stocks overwhelmed gainers across Asia, wiping out hundreds of billions of dollars in market capitalization across the region.


At 12:21 hours IST, the carnage on the street continues on the back of heavy panic sell-off. The 30-share BSE Sensex touched the lows of 17,000-mark and then managed to rise to 17,030.

The 30-share BSE Sensex was trading at 17,030, down 662 points and the 50-share NSE Nifty fell 203 points to 5129.

Market breadth was completely in favour of losers; about 26 shares were declining for every one share gaining.

At 12:10 hours IST: Bears haunted: Sensex cracks over 600 pts

Among sectors, the BSE IT, Realty and Metal indices were down 4-5%. Auto, Power, Capital Goods, Bank, FMCG and Oil & Gas indices fell 2-3%.

Nifty at 52-week low; IT hit hard

Benchmark NSE Nifty tumbled 167 points to 5,164 and the BSE Sensex lost 550 points to 17,142. Market breadth deteriorated further; about 21 shares declined for every one share gained.

The Nifty has touched a 52-week low today led by sell-off in 49 stocks. Heavyweights Reliance Industries, ITC, ICICI Bank, Bharti Airtel and SBI were down 2-3.5%.

Technology stocks were under extreme selling pressure. TCS and Infosys lost more than 5.5% on fears of US recession. Wipro lost nearly 4%.

At 11:49 hours IST: Sensex loses 570 pts; all sectoral indices in red

The 50-share NSE Nifty fell 172 points to 5,159 on the back of mayhem in global markets. All sectoral indices were on sellers' radar.

Asian markets were under extreme pressure, falling 2-5.5%. The US markets had closed down 4-5% yesterday.

About 19 shares were falling for every one share gaining on the National Stock Exchange.