Anna Hazare's Fast: Battleground Ramlila Maidan on Day 7

Anti-graft activist Anna Hazare, whose hunger strike has galvanised millions to hold the biggest protests in decades, appeared ready to end a standoff with the government, saying he was open to dialogue. Hazare's statement comes a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also said the government was open to discuss the 74-year-old self-styled activist's demands after briefly detaining him earlier this week. At least 50,000 people gathered on Sunday to support Hazare, who is demanding a tough anti-graft law.

Waving a sheet of paper at the Ramlila Maidan, Hazare's associate Arvind Kejriwal said the government has sent a proposal which, he said, has nothing new and none of the demands of the team has been met.

Government has initiated move for back-channel negotiations by roping in Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Umesh Chandra Sarangi and spiritual guru Bhaiyyuji Maharaj.

The dark hours in Ramlila Maidan that have been normally a witness to slogan shouting and singing of 'bhajans' saw another scene in the wee hours Sunday when a group of drunk men created ruckus at the site of Anna Hazare's protest.

Team Anna said Government has sent a proposal to Anna Hazare but there was nothing new in it. Government sources however said no proposal had been sent from their side. Bollywood celebrities also joined the Anna Hazare campaign against corruption.

Expressing hope that differences between Anna Hazare and government could be sorted out soon, spiritual leader Baiyyuji Maharaj, who has emerged as a mediator, today said the government was trying "really hard" to find a solution.

Police enhanced the security at Ramlila Maidan this morning by deploying additional personnel, including a woman unit of the CRPF.

Noting they have not changed their stand and they cannot leave the government free to do help corrupt people, Kejriwal put the ball in government's court on negotiations saying now the way ahead has to be decided by the government.

A group of Indian-Americans has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to meet the demands of social activist Anna Hazare by himself tabling the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament.

Asked about Hazare's statement that the government should go if it does not pass the bill by August 30, Kejriwal said Team Anna has no intention to topple the government.

As Indore-based spiritual leader Baiyujji Maharaj met Hazare and Union Minister Kapil Sibal in an attempt by Government to open back channels to defuse the crisis, Government sources said no one has been asked to mediate on the issue.

Hazare's supporters also thronged outside the residence of Congress spokesman Manish Tewari and shouted slogans against him and the government.

A day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stated that the Government was open for discussion, Hazare said his campaign against corruption has not closed the door of dialogue with it to resolve the differences on Lokpal bill.

Hazare has lost five kgs during the past seven weeks and ketone particles have been found in his blood and urine. Ketone particles may affect vital organs like kidney and liver.

Anna Hazare's fast demanding a strong Lokpal entered the seventh day with his Team asserting that they have no intention to topple the government but defended the Gandhian's remarks that it should go if the bill is not passed by August 30.

A senior police official looking after security arrangements said CRPF and Delhi Police personnel have been asked to keep a tight vigil and ask for identity cards in case of suspicion.

Hazare's fast inched close to 150 hours as hundreds poured into Ramlila Maidan to express solidarity with the 74-year-old Gandhian who began his indefinite fast in police custody on August 16.

Arvind Kejriwal said the ketone level in Hazare's blood and urine has risen slightly. Activist Kiran Bedi said Anna has not eaten for seven days but no one in government seems concerned.

As his protest continued, Team Anna said they were yet to hear from the government side on the talks.

Supporters of Indian anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare shout slogans during his hunger strike in New Delhi, India, Monday, August 22, 2011.(AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)

A young boy dressed as Hindu God Krishna on the day of Janmashtami, makes his way to the ground where the Indian anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare is on his seventh day of hunger strike in New Delhi, India, Monday, August 22, 2011.(AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)

Supporters gather at the ground where Indian anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare is on his seventh day of hunger strike in New Delhi, India, Monday, August 22, 2011.(AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)

Supporters of anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare burn an effigy symbolizing corruption during a protest rally in Allahabad, India, Monday, August 22, 2011.(AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh

The number of supporters of Indian anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare swelled on the national holiday of Janamashtami in New Delhi, India, Monday, August 22, 2011.(AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)

A supporter of India anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare is wrapped in a banner reading, "Put and end to corruption," at the site of his hunger strike in New Delhi. The Indian activist on a hunger strike that sparked a popular campaign against corruption said Saturday he was feeling physically weak but resolved in his demand that the government adopt his version of a bill setting up an anti-graft watchdog.(AP Photo/Kevin Frayer)

Anna Hazare acknowledges the crowd as he returned to the stage after a break, in front of the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the Ramlila Grounds in New Delhi, India, Monday, August 22, 2011. Hazare, who has entered the seventh day of his fast, is unhappy with the Indian government's response, aides said Monday, as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appeared staunch against caving to the activist's demands for a powerful anti-graft watchdog office. (AP Photo/Gurinder Osan)

Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare drinks water in front of the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the Ramlila Grounds in New Delhi, India, Monday, August 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Gurinder Osan)

Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare, lying down, speaks to Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar with the backdrop of a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the Ramlila Grounds in New Delhi, India, Monday, August 22, 2011.(AP Photo/Gurinder Osan)

Supporters of India's anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare wave Indian flags and raise slogans as they arrive in a tractor to the fast venue in New Delhi, India, Monday, August 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Gurinder Osan)

Young supporters of India's anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare wave Indian flags and raise slogans at the fast venue in New Delhi, India, Monday, August 22, 2011.(AP Photo/Gurinder Osan)

Supporters of India's anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare wave Indian flags and raise slogans at the fast venue in New Delhi, India, Monday, August 22, 2011. (AP Photo/Gurinder Osan)