New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Monday rejected an undertaking submitted
by Team Anna to sit on fast tomorrow at Jai Prakash Narain Memorial Park
in central Delhi, against the government’s draft Lokpal Bill.The permission to sit on fast at the park was denied after the civil society group led by Anna Hazare agreed to accept only 16 of the total 22 conditions set by the Delhi Police.
Speaking to Zee News, Special Commissioner of Police, Dharmendra Prakash, said the permission to protest at JP Park has been denied as Hazare group refused to accept all 22 mandatory riders set by police.
Prakash said Section 144 has been imposed in the area surrounding the park and that no one would be allowed to enter the venue. He categorically stated that Hazare could be arrested if he tries to enter the park.
The other riders rejected by Team Anna include the three-day time limit for the fast, cap on number of people who can gather at the venue, and regular examination by government appointed doctors.
The Delhi Police had earlier made it clear that they won’t allow any protest at the site if all conditions laid out under the permission letter are not met.
Meanwhile, Hazare team member Kiran Bedi told Zee News that they would decide on the future course of action soon.
The development came after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today questioned the proposed fast by Anna Hazare on Lokpal issue. The Gandhian's team had called him an "insensitive" person who is asking people to fall in line on the issue.
Kiran Bedi claimed people have no trust left in the UPA government which was elected two years back as it had squandered an opportunity to make history by enacting a strong anti-corruption ombdusman.
The Hazare team's reaction came as Singh used his Independence Day address to assert that those who are opposed to the Bill should not resort to hunger strikes and fasts-unto-death.
"He speaks like a final arbiter. He says you cannot protest. This is a direct imposition of a bill on people against their will. The Prime Minister is imposing a bill on the country and saying protest fast is wrong. The PM is asking people to fall in line," Bedi said.
"He is insensitive to people's perception. Surveys after surveys and referendums after referendums showed that people rejected the government's Lokpal Bill. He is not taking this into account," she alleged.
The government and Team Anna had yesterday engaged in a war of words, with Congress spokesperson calling Anna Hazare corrupt. Both the party and the government also criticised Hazare for the strong-worded letter he had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday.