Anna Hazare cancels fast over agri reforms

Veteran social activist and 83 year old  kisan Baburao Hazare alias Anna Hazare has cancelled his planned fast against the three central agricultural laws. He announced his decision on Friday  in the presence of senior BJP leader and former Maharashtra chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis. He and Minister of State (MoS) Agriculture Kailash Choudhary met him at his hometown Ralegan Siddhi.

"I have been doing andolan (agitation) on various issues for a long time. It is not a crime to protest peacefully...I have been raising the farmers' issue for three years... they die by suicide because they don't get the right prices for their crops...the government has decided to increase the MSP (Minimum Support Price) by 50 percent - I have got the letter," he told reporters."Since the centre decided to work on these 15 issues (his demands for farmers), I have cancelled my fast," he added.Asked if this U-turn will hurt his credibility, Hazare said the high-level committee will look into the implementation of the reforms, and he felt that he can trust the Union government.

A release was also issued by Anna Hazar's office which said that "It was decided in today's (Friday) meeting that a committee comprising members from Agriculture Ministry, NITI Aayog and some members recommended by Anna Hazare will make a proposal in the next six months to implement/fulfill Anna Hazare's demands related to farmers."