He wrote a letter to CM Uddhav on 3 February
Social activist Anna Hazare threatens to go on indefinite hunger strike against Maharashtra government Decision to allow sale of liquor in general stores and supermarkets,
Mr. Hazare had on February 3 sent a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray opposing the government’s liquor policy. In a reminder sent on Saturday, he said he would go on an indefinite hunger strike from February 14 at his home village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district since no response was given to him and if the decision is not reversed.
He said, “If the government does not take back the decision to sell liquor keeping in mind the sentiments of the workers and the people across the state, then we will have to agitate.. I will start an indefinite hunger strike from February 14 at Yadav Baba Mandir in Ralegan Siddhi. Will have to do He wrote in a letter to Mr. Thackeray. Mr. Hazare, who was part of the India Against Corruption movement against the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, has been silent for several years now. Several questions have been raised against him, pointing to his silence since the Narendra Modi-led central government came to power.
Alleging that the government’s decision was only aimed at increasing its revenue and profits of liquor companies, Mr. Hazare claimed that the decision would make the youth addicted to drugs. A meeting of workers will also be organized at Ralegan Siddhi where the direction of agitation against the decision will be decided.
Two weeks ago, the Maharashtra government announced its liquor policy, under which supermarkets and general stores with an area of more than 1000 square feet are allowed to sell liquor. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also opposed the decision, claiming that it will make Maharashtra a madya (liquor) nation. The government has claimed that this decision will help the farmers as well as the liquor companies.
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