Anna Hazare Calls Off Monday Hunger Strike Against Maharashtra Govt's Wine Sale Policy, Here's Why

On Sunday, a gramme sabha was organised in Hazare's hometown of Ralegan Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district.

Social Activist Anna Hazare. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Anna Hazare, a social activist, has decided to call off his Monday hunger strike against the Maharashtra government's decision to allow the sale of wine in supermarkets and grocery stores beginning Monday, stating that the state government has assured him that it will consider citizens' views before implementing the policy.

On Sunday, a gramme sabha was organised in Hazare's hometown of Ralegan Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district.

"I told the villagers that now the state government has decided to put up the cabinet's decision before citizens for their suggestions and objections and only after their nod, a final decision will be taken by the government. Hence, I have decided to suspend tomorrow's hunger strike," Hazare was quoted by PTI in its report.

Hazare wrote a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray a few days ago, claiming that the people of the state have requested that the policy allowing the sale of alcohol in supermarkets and walk-in stores to be reversed immediately.

During a meeting in his hamlet on Sunday, Hazare stated that there are plenty of beer bars, permit rooms, and businesses that sell wine, so why does the government want to sell it in supermarkets and grocery stores?

Does it want to spread addiction? he asked.

"During a discussion with officials of the Maharashtra government, I had told them that I don't feel like living in the state, following which the government started re-thinking about its decision," the activist said.

'Wine Sale Will Destroy Our Culture': Anna Hazare

Wine, according to Hazare, is not part of the culture of Maharashtra, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and saint Tukaram Maharaj previously resided.

"The wine sale in supermarkets will destroy our culture," he adds.

When state government officials arrived to meet with Hazare, he informed them that they should have considered people's opinions before deciding on the wine policy.

(With PTI Inputs)