Anna Hazare is an Indian social activist who led movements to promote rural development, increase government transparency, and address corruption within the public sphere. In 1992, the Government of India awarded the Padma Bhushan. Despite his official name being Kisan Baburao Hazare, most people know him by the name of Anna Hazare.
Anna Hazare conducted multiple hunger strikes in Delhi with the primary goal of raising public consciousness against corruption and advocating for a robust Lokpal bill from the government. During these strikes, Anna Hazare also exhibited his preparedness to lay down his life, further intensifying the appeal of his cause to the masses.
The hunger strike led by Anna Hazare emerged as a pivotal approach to heighten public awareness in Delhi. His initiative demonstrated that unwavering commitment and resolute determination of an individual can bring about substantial transformations. His resolute battle stirred a fresh consciousness against corruption nationwide, illuminating a route for societal and political change.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was born in 2012 after the Jan Lokpal anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare. This movement highlighted the apathy of political parties, prompting a quest for an alternative. While Anna Hazare aimed to keep the movement apolitical, Arvind Kejriwal advocated forming a new party and entering elections to achieve its goals. Kejriwal believed that dialogue for the Jan Lokpal Bill was failing, leading to the popular idea of entering politics, supported by an India Against Corruption survey.
On October 2, 2012, during the commemoration of the anniversary of the Constitution of India, Kejriwal made a significant announcement by revealing the establishment of a new political party. This marked the official formation of the Aam Aadmi Party on November 26, 2012.
Raju Parulekar is an Indian journalist and former blogger of Anna Hazare. A month-old interview of famous Raju Parulekar has gone viral on social media. He says that when he had done Anna’s first blog, on the second day, Anna had observed a vow of silence. According to him, Kejriwal made Anna, not Anna made Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal used Anna Hazare as a tool for political gain.” He claimed that Kejriwal used Anna Hazare in the “India Against Corruption Movement” as a means to his own political ends and betrayed him and all other dignitaries involved.
