India: Thousands Gather For Anti-Graft Rally
By UCA News
By Bijay Kumar Minj
More than 10,000 people across religious and political party lines gathered in Delhi yesterday to show their support for a one-day fast by anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare.
Representatives from political parties on the left and right shared a dais with Hazare yesterday to demand independence for the Central Bureau of India, the country’s primary investigative body.
The reformer is pressing for parliament to introduce tougher anti-corruption legislation during its current session, further warning the body that he will start an indefinite hunger strike beginning December 27 if they fail to act.
The latest rally follows previous protests earlier this year, including a 13-day fast in September.
Hazare urged people to fill the streets and jails across the country to force the government to accept their demand for new legislation.
Father Babu Joseph, spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, said that while Hazare’s demands were “justified,” legislation alone would not eradicate corruption.
He urged government officials and anti-graft activists to sort out their differences and work together for an effective law.
