Hazare claims he is fine and ready for open talks

Hazare claims he is fine and ready for open talksNew Delhi, Aug 23 : Despite being on fast for eight days, social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday said that he is fine and would continue his fast for a week or more.

Addressing the gathering at Ramlila ground, Hazare said: "I have been fasting for eight days but I am fine. There is no cause for concern. The doctors attending to me won''t let me die. I''ve lost 5.5 kilos."

"I am ready for dialogue but it should be political one and direct with the government mediators," he added.

He also urged his supporters to avoid taking law into hands and protest peacefully.

Hazare warned of an unprecedented revolution in the country if the Jan Lokpal Bill is not passed by August 30.

"If the Government does not get the Jan Lokpal Bill passed by August 30, there would be an unprecedented revolution in the country by the people. We will protest in front of every MP''s house, he said

Noting that he has been fighting against corruption for the past 20 years, Hazare said the government has betrayed the citizens of the country on the Lokpal issue, despite constituting a joint committee for the drafting of the Bill.

"They constituted a joint committee after my fast in April. But nothing came out of that meeting despite talking for two months. They betrayed civil society.... The government''s intention to fight corruption is not noble," he added.

He was all praise for the youth who have joined the anti-corruption movement and expressed confidence that with the youth power, the "revolution" will be able to demolish corruption through the enactment of a strong Lokpal (ANI)