Fasting is over, struggle will continue: Hazare

Anti-corruption crusader who led a successful struggle against the government's lackadaisical approach to the issue of enacting the Jan Lokpal Bill today ended his 98-hour fast after the government acceded to his demand for setting up a joint panel to redraft the Lokpal Bill.

Hazare broke his fast after Swami Agnivesh collected a copy of the notification from Union minister Kapil Sibal's residence and handed it over to him at Jantar Mantar.

"This is a victory of people. Still there is a long way to go. The real fight begins now," Hazare told his supporters at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

But, he said, the real issue is getting the bill passed in Parliament so that it becomes law after the Monsoon Session. If the bill is delayed, "the activists would converge at Red Fort on 15 August 15 and hoist the national flag", he added.

"This is only the beginning. If the government does not pass Lokpal Bill, I will come back to fight again," Hazare said.

Hazare also announced plans to form a national council of civil activists to coordinate action and carry out the fight against corruption.