Will go on fast from August 16: Anna Hazare

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Social crusader Anna Hazare on Saturday said that he is firm on sitting on a fast from August 16 to bring a powerful Lokpal Bill.

“The present government and some leaders of the ruling Congress are actually denying the fundamental rights of the freedom of expression and agitation within the frame of law given to every Indian by the Constitution of India,” he told PTI at Ralegan Siddhi village, 40 km from here.

Hazare also said that he might take up a nation-wide campaign to make India aware about the “conspiracy by the rulers”.

When asked on Congress leader Digvijay Singh’s statements that Hazare be given the same treatment that had been meted out to yoga guru Ramdev, the Gandhian challenged Congress leaders and central government to go ahead if they were honest to their words.

“Even the British rulers were not that brutal on satyagrahis agitating against them,” the anti-graft crusader said.

Hazare also condemned the union government for the hike in the prices of diesel, LPG and kerosene.