New Delhi: Social activist and anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare said he will return his Padma Bhushan award to the President if the Centre doesn’t concede to his demand for Lokpal and Lokayukta.
“I will be returning my Padma Bhushan award to the President. I did not work for that award. You only gave me that while I was working for a social cause and the country. If the country or society is in this condition, then why should I keep that?,” he said.
Meanwhile, his health condition worsened with doctors pointing out high ketone bodies in his blood, low blood sugar levels and impaired liver function. Hazare, doctors said, has lost 3.75 kg since he started his fast on 30 January.
Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena today appealed to the BJP-led government to save the life of Anna Hazare whose hunger strike entered its sixth day. The 81-year-old anti-graft crusader has been on hunger strike in his native Ralegan Siddhi village in Ahmednagar, since Wednesday. Hazare, the face of the Lokpal movement, has been demanding the appointment of anti-corruption watchdogs at the Centre and in Maharashtra and resolution of farmers’ issue.
The Sena said, “Anna faces criticism for being adamant and stubborn. It is said to be the trait of selfless people. Similar characteristics are found in Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well, but it is portrayed as his greatness.”
In its editorial in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ today, the Sena said, “First you should save Anna’s life and then we can see what is to be done later. If the government is wishful of Anna losing his life in this battle, then it is a sign of the state’s culture getting morbid,” the Sena editorial alleged.