Huge crowds throng Jantar Mantar as Anna Hazare begins his fast

New Delhi: 12.22 pm: Nearly a hundred India Against Corruption activists arrested in Chennai for protesting outside Home Minister P Chidambaram's residence.

10.31 am: Anna Hazare said that he decided to join the fast despite requests from colleagues not to do so.

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Sunday began his fast at Jantar Mantar at 10.30 am. While the protest began, 15 of Anna's supporters were hospitalised.

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare began his fast at 10.30 am. While the protest began, 15 of his supporters were hospitalised.

Soon after launching his fast, Anna said, "We are starting our fast from today and it will continue."

He further said, "The government is alleging that we are deviating from our aim but it is the government which is moving away from its path.

"Our main demand is to get the Jan Lokpal Bill passed. Till all the 15 corrupt ministers are sitting in Parliament, the Lokpal Bill will not be passed."

"I am ready to sacrifice my life for the cause," he added.

Before he launched his fast, Anna's blood pressure, weight and pulse rate were checked.

Hazare reached Jantar Mantar to slogans of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', 'Vande Mataram' and 'Inquilab Zindabad'.

Crowds throng venue

The Sunday protest by Anna Hazare has managed to pull in the numbers. A strong crowd was witnessed at Anna's fast venue, with people from varied backgrounds joining in the protest.

The IITs of Kanpur and Delhi too have pitched in with support this time.

Around 50 students of the prestigious institutions have come to the fast venue to join in the protest.

(With additional information from PTI)

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