Indian campaigner finishes fast

Updated: 2011-08-28 14:57

(Xinhua)

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Indian campaigner finishes fast

Children Simran (2nd L) and Ikra wearing traditional Indian caps bearing the words: "I am Anna", offer coconut water and honey to veteran Indian social activist Anna Hazare (C) after he ended his fast at Ramlila grounds in New Delhi August 28, 2011. Self-styled Gandhian activist Hazare, whose campaign against corruption sparked some of India's biggest anti-government protests in decades, ended a 13-day hunger strike on Sunday after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh caved in to his demands. [Photo/Agencies]

BANGALORE, India - Indian anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare broke his 13-days fast on the morning of Sunday with both Indian lower and upper house passing a resolution Saturday on the proposed Lokpal Bill.

Anna broke his fast by having honey and coconut water, and will go to hospital to get a check-up for health concerns.

Both Indian lower and upper house passed one resolution conveying the sense of the parliament on the bill through " thumping of the desk."

The houses didn't adopt formal voting on the resolution as asked by Anna team, resulting to a "half victory" claimed by Anna.

The resolution maintained that an effective Lokpal at the central government and its equivalent Lokayuktas in states should be set up.

The employees of both central and state governments will be brought under the purview of Lokpal and Lokayuktas, respectively, according to the resolution.

The resolution also said all government department will have citizen's charter with timeline to improve accountability.

The resolution thus meets the requirement of Anna team on the above-mentioned three sticking issues.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote a letter to Anna on later Saturday to convey the content of the resolution.

"You will be happy to know that a resolution has been passed by the parliament on your demands on Lokpal Bill. Considering the resolution passed by the parliament, I appeal to you to withdraw your fast," said the Prime Minister's letter.

"I congratulate every member of parliament on what has happened today. It's a victory of people power. This is just half the victory for us and this victory is for you, the people. I thank the media also for this victory. I'll break my fast at 10 am tomorrow," said Anna amid thunderous applause.

Anna also announced to end hid fast on Sunday morning, since he has never broken his fast after sunset.

The 74-year-old Gandhi-styled crusader has been on indefinite fast since August 16, demanding the passage of his Jan Lokpal Bill by Parliament by August 30.

Hundreds of people joined Anna's fast since August 16 and thousands of citizens rallied and protested against corruption across the country with Anna as the hero equivalent with India's founding father Mahatma Gandhi.

People call the movement as the freedom movement from corruption compared with the freedom movement from British rule before independence in 1947.

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