Anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare on Wednesday announced formation of an apolitical front called Jantantra Morcha to fight for the people's rights and bring about the systemic change in the country.
Launching the next phase of his movement at Jantantra rally at the historic Gandhi Maidan here, Anna said that new organization had been formed not to contest the election but to serve the people of the country. "This front will work towards bringing about total change in the system to rebuild the nation," he said.
Making the rallyists take an oath to commit themselves to the fight against corruption, he said that the new front would strive for rooting out corruption at all levels in the country, strengthening of the Right to Information Act, empowering of the Gram Sabhas, introduction of the right to reject and right to recall provisions in the electoral process and ensuring people's participation in the formulation of policies.
Launching the next phase of his movement at Jantantra rally at the historic Gandhi Maidan here, Anna said that new organization had been formed not to contest the election but to serve the people of the country. "This front will work towards bringing about total change in the system to rebuild the nation," he said.
Making the rallyists take an oath to commit themselves to the fight against corruption, he said that the new front would strive for rooting out corruption at all levels in the country, strengthening of the Right to Information Act, empowering of the Gram Sabhas, introduction of the right to reject and right to recall provisions in the electoral process and ensuring people's participation in the formulation of policies.
Back in action: Anna on a new crusade
He called upon the people, especially the youths, to join the front to realize the unfulfilled dreams of Mahatma Gandhi and Jayaprakash Narayan.
He said that Parliament and the state assemblies had the power to make laws but the lawmakers were desisting from introducing the Jan Lokpal bill. "There are 163 tainted MPs in the Parliament," he said. "If they pass the bill, 15 ministers will have to go to jail."
He said that if the people get united, the lawmakers would have to seek their views while preparing the drafts of all the proposed legislations.
Anna, who was accompanied by former Army chief Gen V.K. Singh, Kiran Bedi, Rajinder Singh and many others on the dais, said that he would travel across the country to drum up support of at least 6 crore people for his cause. "If 6 crore people unite for a cause, the government will have to listen to their voice," he said. "When they will seek introduction of the Jan Lokpal bill in Parliamwent, the government will have to ensure that."
He, however, exhorted the people not to resort to violence anywhere to press for their demand. "Nobody should damage any national property in the name of agitation," he said.
Anna said that he had got inspiration from the youths of the country. "The enthusiastic youths of Patna have inspired me," he said. "They have instilled in me energy enough to travel across the country."
Speaking on the occasion, Gen V K Singh said that if nothing was done by the government in the next six months, an unprecedented movement would be launched under the leadership of Anna.
Meanwhile, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said in Patna that mass movement was necessary for understanding the values of democracy. "Annaji is trying to wake up the people against the lacuna in the system," he said. "It is a welcome step."
He said Anna had touched the right chord of people by staying at JP's house. Anna's rally, however, disappointed the Opposition in Bihar. RJD's leader of the opposition Abdul Bari Siddiqui said that Anna had refrained from speaking anything on the rampant corruption prevalent in Bihar.
Earlier, Anna left the JP house, where he had stayed last night, in an open jeep and travelled through main thoroughfares of the town. The crowd at the rally ground was, however, less than expected but it did not deter his supporters. They said that unlike the rallies of political parties, not a single penny was spent to bring in the crowd to the venue.
He called upon the people, especially the youths, to join the front to realize the unfulfilled dreams of Mahatma Gandhi and Jayaprakash Narayan.
He said that Parliament and the state assemblies had the power to make laws but the lawmakers were desisting from introducing the Jan Lokpal bill. "There are 163 tainted MPs in the Parliament," he said. "If they pass the bill, 15 ministers will have to go to jail."
He said that if the people get united, the lawmakers would have to seek their views while preparing the drafts of all the proposed legislations.
Anna, who was accompanied by former Army chief Gen V.K. Singh, Kiran Bedi, Rajinder Singh and many others on the dais, said that he would travel across the country to drum up support of at least 6 crore people for his cause. "If 6 crore people unite for a cause, the government will have to listen to their voice," he said. "When they will seek introduction of the Jan Lokpal bill in Parliamwent, the government will have to ensure that."
He, however, exhorted the people not to resort to violence anywhere to press for their demand. "Nobody should damage any national property in the name of agitation," he said.
Anna said that he had got inspiration from the youths of the country. "The enthusiastic youths of Patna have inspired me," he said. "They have instilled in me energy enough to travel across the country."
Speaking on the occasion, Gen V K Singh said that if nothing was done by the government in the next six months, an unprecedented movement would be launched under the leadership of Anna.
Meanwhile, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said in Patna that mass movement was necessary for understanding the values of democracy. "Annaji is trying to wake up the people against the lacuna in the system," he said. "It is a welcome step."
He said Anna had touched the right chord of people by staying at JP's house. Anna's rally, however, disappointed the Opposition in Bihar. RJD's leader of the opposition Abdul Bari Siddiqui said that Anna had refrained from speaking anything on the rampant corruption prevalent in Bihar.
Earlier, Anna left the JP house, where he had stayed last night, in an open jeep and travelled through main thoroughfares of the town. The crowd at the rally ground was, however, less than expected but it did not deter his supporters. They said that unlike the rallies of political parties, not a single penny was spent to bring in the crowd to the venue.
