JAGATSINGHPUR: Social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday announced to hold rallies across the country to put pressure on all state governments and the Union government to take adequate social security measures for peasants. Mr Hazare, who is on a three-day visit to the state, said that the schedule for farmers’ rallies in eight states has been finalised and programmes for remaining states are being worked out.
“Farmers in the entire country are in distress. They need social security measures to lead a decent life. Like government employees, all farmers should get a monthly pension after reaching the age of 60,” noted Gandhian leader said while addressing a farmers’ rally. He called for a second freedom struggle against corruption and nepotism. “We have got democracy, but not true democracy. Corrupt and influential people are ruling us as per their whims and fancies. We need emancipation from those elements. Good and honest people should enter politics to prune the system,” he said.
Earlier in the day, in an interaction with reporters in Bhubaneswar, Mr Hazare asked how many industrialists commit suicide in the country, claiming that 12 lakh farmers had committed suicide in the last 22 years. The Gandhian leader also announced that the Lokpal bill fight would begin in Feb next year. The social activists exhorted youths to dedicate their lives for the better of society and the nation, as well.
“Influenced by Gandhi’s ideals and leadership in freedom struggle, I started social service at the age of 25. I didn’t get married as I thought all my energy will get wasted in family affairs. I have my property, but, I gave up all those things for the sake of social service,” he said. Today, I can’t say names of my brother’s children. Now, I’m 80 and the same spirit of social service continues as before within me,” said Mr Hazare.
