Six days after he began an indefinite hunger strike at the Ramlila Maidan, social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday called it off after the Centre gave assurance on fair crop prices for farmers, appointment of Lokpal and electoral reforms.
“The government has agreed to fix a minimum support price which is 50% over and above the total cost incurred by a farmer for producing the crop,” Mr. Hazare said.
The 80-year-old said he was giving the government a six-month deadline to implement his demands, which also include appointment of a Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayuktas in states. “If the government fails to comply with the assurance, I will be back again in September and continue the protest. It should be done within the time-frame,” Mr. Hazare stated.
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Union Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat accompanied Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to the protest site to convey to Mr. Hazare that the government has agreed to his demands.
Mr. Fadnavis offered a glass of water to Mr. Hazare to break his fast. “The Prime Minister has accepted Anna’s demand,” Mr. Fadnavis said.
On the issue of electoral reforms, such as inclusion of the right to recall and reject, Mr. Hazare said that the government has forwarded it to the Election Commission of India as it comes under their jurisdiction.
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Mr. Hazare, who began his Jan Andolan Satyagraha on March 23, lost over 5 kg of body weight and his health was deteriorating.
A man who hurled a shoe at the stage was detained by the police. “The protest ended peacefully and all the protesters left the Ramlila ground on their own,” said Anto Alphonse, Additional DCP.