Hazare attacks govt over FDI in retail

As he prepares to launch yet another anti-corruption agitation, Anna Hazare today opened a new front against government, attacking it for allowing FDI in retail sector which he said was not in the country's interest.

Addressing a press conference here, he said Parliament has been disrupted for the past seven days on the FDI issue and wondered why the government was not listening to the voices of opposition against it.

"Many states have opposed FDI and said that they will not allow such shops. In democracy, one has to take into account the wishes of people... People are against FDI," he said and asked, "so why insist on it?"

"Britishers came to India for trade but then ruled us for 250 years. You want to make us slaves once again? Are we inviting them to make us slaves again," he said.

Hazare, who was addressing media to reiterate his decision to relaunch his agitation from December 27 if a strong Lok Pal Bill is not passed in the ongoing Parliament session, contested government's argument that FDI was being allowed for the benefit of farmers.

"If the government were serious for the welfare of farmers, then why should suicides [by farmers] take place even after 65 years of Independence. This is not the way," he said.

He said this was not the way to uplift farmers and if the government claims it was sensitive to them, why is farmer suicides continuing.  "They [foreign investors] will destroy our water resources, power and environment...They are not coming here for service."