Free Anna Hazare NOW

Veteran Indian social activist has been arrested and 1400 of his supporters detained as authorities defy a protest to force tougher laws against corruption.

Anna Hazare,74, was taken into custody early Tuesday as he prepared to lead a parade to a public park in New Delhi where he was to begin a “fast unto death”.

Hundreds of of his supporters gathered outside the building as he was driven away.

“Police have detained us,” Arvind Kejriwal, an aide to Hazare, told NDTV broadcaster before being taken away by plainclothers police in a white car early on Tuesday.

In a pre-taped appeal, Hazare urged his supporters to protest despite his arrest.

“My dear countrymen, the second freedom struggle has begun, and now I have also been arrested. But will this movement be stopped by my arrest? No, not at all. Don’t let it happen,” he said.—…

…Hazare’s protest has tapped into deep public anger against corruption in India as the Congress party-led government battles a series of graft scandals.

These include the sale of mobile phone licenses and the hosting of last year’s Commonwealth Games, which together lost the country as much as $40bn, according to government auditors.

The Indian parliament has been paralysed by anti-corruption protests for two weeks, stalling crucial legislation.