New Delhi: Anna Hazare on Friday broke his 19-day
`vow of silence`, saying it was not against any person or
party but in the interest of his own health.
74-year-old Hazare broke his `maun vrat` at Mahatma
Gandhi`s memorial Rajghat at around 7 am, saying `Bharat Mata
ki Jai`. He was observing the vow of silence since October 16.
Hazare, who had reached Delhi last night to attend a
meeting of the Standing Committee on Lokpal Bill, said, "My
vow of silence was not against any person or party. After
12-day hunger strike at Ram Lila Maidan, my health weakened.
So, there was no other way then `maun` which Mahatma Gandhi
has shown us. So when such a situation comes you should do
maun.
"After maun my situation has improved. BP and weight is
normal. We have to fight for Lokpal and corruption. I have
regained new strength to fight. I am ready to fight," he said.
Hazare had started his `maun vrat` at his native village
in Maharashtra for `atma shanti` (peace of soul).
Team Anna had got engulfed in a series of controversies
including financial misconduct, during Hazare`s 19-day `maun
vrat`.
He had last week held a meeting with prominent members in
Ralegan Siddhi during which it was decided that the
anti-corruption movement will have a constitution and its core
members will have to adhere to certain norms.
Hazare had threatened to launch another hunger strike if
a strong Lokpal Bill is not passed in Parliament`s Winter
Session.
PTI
