Pune: Gandhian Anna Hazare on Wednesday opposed the Centre's decision to allow FDI in retail and called for a review of the move.
Speaking to reporters at his native Ralegan Siddhi, Hazare said foreigners came as traders in our country and ruled over us for 200 years. "After independence, we accepted democracy. So if the people of this country are opposed to FDI in retail, the government should respect their wishes. Problems faced by farmers cannot be solved by bringing foreign money into the country. Laws need to be changed for the betterment of farmers," he said.
Hazare also reiterated his decision to sit on a one-day fast at Jantar Mantar on December 11 followed by an indefinite agitation at Ramlila Maidan from December 27. "My agitation is not against a particular political party. The common man is finding it difficult to live and there is an urgent need to curb corruption. We will never accept a weak Lokpal. What is the use of a law that is so weak that it will fail to eliminate corruption?" he asked. He said that he would continue his fight till his last breath.
Meanwhile, Hazare's office on Wednesday released the letter written by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to him on August 27 and a copy of the 'sense of House' resolution tabled by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee accepting Team Anna's demands about citizens' charter, bringing low-ranking government officials in the ambit of Lokpal and appointing strong Lokayuktas in states on the lines of the Lokpal. On Tuesday, Hazare had criticized the government for going back on its word and the written assurance given by the PM.
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