Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption protest sees Delhi signal compromise

Indian PM calls summit, although hunger striker accused of ignoring more urgent issues and backing xenophobic politicians Moves to resolve the political crisis in India triggered by a 74-year-old anti-corruption campaigner’s hunger strike have gathered pace. After a weekend of mass street protests, the government has appointed a representative to hammer out a deal to the week-long standoff, reports said. Anna Hazare, who has fasted for a week, wants the government to create an anti-corruption ombudsman with sweeping powers. His hunger strike has focused widespread anger over corruption – which is endemic in India – as well as broader grievances amid the growing middle classes. “It is not just about corruption, not just about one issue. People are very emotional about this,” Bhaskara Rao, a political analyst in Delhi, said. “However … there may be a deal relatively soon.” Following protests earlier this year, India’s prime minister, Manmohan Singh, proposed a small package of reforms.

Posted by on August 23, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.