Speaking at a village council meeting in Ralegaon Siddhi, Hazare lashed out at the UPA government for arresting him before his fast and appealed to the people not to allow the torch of the second “battle of independence” to be extinguished as more ‘repeated shocks’ was the only way that could ensure a corruption-free India.

“This Congress-led UPA government consists of a mob of cunning and liar people. They created a number of obstacles when I declared my intention to fast and they issued prohibitory orders at all the public grounds in Delhi where I asked permission to hold fast. And when they gave permission for the Jai Prakash Narayan Park, they imposed several pre-conditions,” Hazare said.

Hazare said that the success of his recent agitation exhibited that the federal government was compelled to bow down to the demand and wishes of the people of the country. “Let us not forget that we would have to give such repeated shocks to the government to ensure there is corruption-free India,” he said.

Expressing his anguish at the situation in the country, Hazare urged the people, particularly the youth not to allow the torch of the second “battle of independence” to be extinguished.

“Even after 64 years of independence from the British rule, nothing has changed in the country. The only difference is that the whites have been replaced by the blacks, looting, corruption and terrorism has become rampant, and we have achieved nothing.”

Considered a hero in the entire country and also identified as “second Gandhi,” Anna Hazare was accorded a grand felicitation by the village council of Ralegaon Siddhi attended by more than 10,000 people from all over the country. Addressing the meeting, Hazare said that the battle for the Lokpal Bill was the victory of the people, and appealed to the people to be prepared to go to the prison for banishing corruption from the country.

“Even the federal government betrayed me when I began my fast. More than fifty percent of the ministers in the government are cunning liars. Therefore I am concerned what will happen to the country. The federal home minister Chidambaram had said that the government would not interfere in my agitation and it will be handled by the police, while on the other hand, the police detained me for two hours and then set me free stating that there was likely hood of breach of law and order due to my agitation. The cunningness and mischief of Chidambaram was clearly seen in the police action. What is happening to the country? One can only see the rule of the politicians and the bureaucrats and their arrogance,” Hazare said.