Septuagenarian anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare, who has been fasting since August 16 for a stronger Lokpal Bill, has lost weight significantly. On the seventh day of his hunger strike, he was found to have lost around 5 kg as a team of doctors examined him at Ramlila Maidan on Monday morning.
"He has lost five kilograms in the past seven days. His weight has come down to 67 from 72 kg. His blood pressure is 130/80 and pulse rate 90," close associate Manish Sisodia told reporters in New Delhi.
Hazare's key aide Arvind Kejriwal said ketones were found in his blood and urine samples. He, however, ruled out any serious health problem to the veteran Gandhian.
Ketones in urine can give an early indication of insufficient insulin in a person who has diabetes. Its presence in urine indicates blood in the urine. Kejriwal however said Hazare was not diabetic.
"The ketone level in blood and urine has risen slightly. There is nothing to worry as of now. He is fine," he said.
'Whom do we meet', asks Team Anna
On the other side, Kejriwal put the ball back in the government's court saying no one from the government had approached the civil society to resolve the impasse over the Lokpal Bill.
Supporters of Anna Hazare hold a huge Indian flag as they march during a rally in support of Hazare in Mumbai on August 21, 2011.
"The prime minister tells you people (media) that they are ready for talks. But we are asking again and again where do we come? Whom do we meet? Until we don't have a concrete proposal, we cannot react to it," Kejriwal said.
Team Anna asserted that they have no intention to topple the government. They however defended the Gandhian's remarks that the government should go if the bill was not passed by August 30.
Our motive is not to topple the govt: Kejriwal
Asked about Hazare's statement that the government should go if it does not pass the bill by August 30, Kejriwal said Team Anna has no intention to topple the government.
"We have been repeating that our motive is not to topple the government. If the government is so insensitive even on the seventh day of protest and mass gathering, they are saying we will protect corruption and shelter the corrupt...so what is wrong if Hazare said this," he said.
Noting they have not changed their stand and they could not leave the government free to help corrupt people, he put the ball in government's court on negotiations saying now the way ahead has to be decided by the government.
"If they have the political will, it will take less than two minutes to pass the bill," Kejriwal said.
Government has initiated move for back-channel negotiations by roping in Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Umesh Chandra Sarangi and spiritual guru Bhaiyyuji Maharaj. Both had a meeting with Hazare and his team on Sunday.
Security tightened at Ramlila Maidan
A child dozes off as supporters march to Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on August 21, 2011.
Meanwhile, thousands of people reached the venue for hunger strike, Ramlila Maidan, to express solidarity with Hazare, 73, who began his fast in police custody on August 16.
Police enhanced the security at Ramlila Maidan on Monday morning deploying additional personnel, including a woman unit of the CRPF.
A senior police official looking after security arrangements said CRPF and Delhi Police personnel have been asked to keep a tight vigil and ask for identity cards in case of suspicion.
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