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NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saluted the idealism of fasting anti-graft activist Anna Hazare in a televised speech to parliament Thursday in which he urged him to end his hunger strike.
“He has become the embodiment of our people's disgust and concern about tackling corruption,” Singh said of the ailing 74-year-old, whose populist campaign has put intense pressure on the government.
“I respect his idealism. I respect him as an individual... I applaud him. I salute him.”But Singh asked all MPs to unite in requesting Hazare to halt his fast for stronger anti-corruption legislation.
“He has made his point,” the prime minister said. “His life is much too precious.”
Singh's public and emotional appeal came as talks between Hazare's aides and the government appeared deadlocked, and amid mounting concerns over the campaigner's health as he entered the tenth day of his fast.
