Real Diwali only after Lokpal bill is passed: Anna

Mumbai: Anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare
on Tuesday led his village Ralegan Siddhi in lighting 10,000 diyas
to herald the festival of lights but cautioned that the "real
Diwali" would be when the Jan Lokpal bill is passed.

In a written message, the septuagenarian, who is on a
`maun vrat` (vow of silence), thanked the people for their
part in the battle for the Jan Lokpal bill.

"Anna wrote that the real Diwali will be when the bill is
passed," Hazare`s associate Datta Awari said over phone
from the village.

At a function in Ralegan this evening, the Gandhian
distributed clothes to poor people as is the tradition in the
village.

Tomorrow, he will distribute fire crackers among
students, Awari said.

PTI