Indian PM asks anti-graft activist to end hunger strike

Indian PM asks anti-graft activist to end hunger strike

2011-08-24 02:40:58 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW DELHI (BNO NEWS) -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday urged activist Anna Hazare to end his eight-day-old fast in support of an anti-corruption legislation, local daily The Hindustan Times reported.

Singh wrote to 74-year-old Hazare that the Jan Lokpal Bill framed by him will also be taken to the Parliamentary Standing Committee along with the government's version of the bill and a third version by social activist Aruna Roy. In his 500-word letter to Hazare, the prime minister expressed "deep concern" over his health and urged him to "consider my suggestions and end your fast to regain full health and vitality".

"Despite the differences between the government and your team, I do not think that anybody is or should be in any doubt about the deep and abiding concern which I and our government share about your health," Singh wrote, according to the newspaper.

The premier's call came as Hazare's supporters warned that the activist is getting progressively weaker. Hazare has lost 5.5 kilograms (12.12 pounds) since August 16.

Meanwhile, Hazare confidants Arvind Kejriwal, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi on Tuesday opened talks with Congress veteran and finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, the government's most experienced member. The informal channel of communication was opened to end the impasse caused by the civil activist's hunger strike.

Hazare began his fast on August 16 shortly after he was detained by police. Thousands of protesters were also arrested across India following his detention.

Hazare's protest happens amid a series of corruption scandals involving government officials, which have sparked widespread public anger and calls for reform. The Indian government has failed to pass an effective anti-corruption law.

The current government proposed the Lokpal bill, which exempts the prime minister, the judiciary and lawmakers from the purview of an ombudsman.

In 2010, Transparency International ranked India, one of the few countries yet to ratify the United Nations convention against corruption, at 87.

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