Anna Hazare Calls Off Indefinite Fast For Farmers Saying Centre Agreed To Some Demands

"The Centre has no sensitivity left for farmers," Anna Hazare had written in the letter earlier but withdrew the decision after meeting former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.

New Delhi: Social activist Anna Hazare had announced to hold an indefinite fast against the new farm laws but hours later withdrew the decision claiming that the Central government has agreed to some of his demands.

In a statement, Hazare had announced that he will be holding the hunger strike from his village Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra on Saturday. He stated that he had written to Prime minister Narendra Modi and Union agriculture minister Narendra Tomar five times on the plight of farmers but to no avail.

While announcing the hunger strike, Hazare had said, "I have been demanding reforms in the agriculture sector, but the Centre doesn’t seem to be making the right decisions".

"The Centre has no sensitivity left for farmers, which is why I am starting my indefinite fast at my village from January 30," he had written while urging his supporters to not flock to his village district in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

Later MoS Agriculture Kailash Choudhary along with Former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis met Hazare at his hometown Ralegansiddhi to convince him to not begin the protest.

"The Union government has agreed to some of my demands and also announced setting up a committee to improve the lives of farmers. I have decided to suspend my proposed indefinite fast starting from Saturday," Hazare said addressing the media in their presence.

The decision to withdraw is meanwhile being scrutinised as a section of people criticised it, remembering the veteran activist's 2011 anti-corruption movement when Hazare was being hailed and compared to Mahatama Gandhi.

Meanwhile, as the nation observes Gandhi's death anniversary today, farmers will commemorate the occasion as 'Sadbhavna Diwas', observing a day-long fast.