Anna released; refuses to leave jail, firm on his demand

New Delhi, Aug 16 : Gandhian Anna Hazare was tonight released from judicial custody but he refused to leave the jail premises unless he was allowed to go on fast at Jai Prakash Narayan Park with his conditions.

"Anna Hazare has been released but he is not coming out of the jail as he wants to go straight to J P park and start his protest there," Manish Sisodia, Anna's close aide, told mediapersons after he was also released this evening.

Mr Hazare is now sitting in the office of Director General (Tihar) Neeraj Kumar and waiting for the government's response.

Mr Sisodia, however, denied to having received any information about sending Anna outside Delhi.

As hundreds of supporters gathered outside Tihar jail carrying candles, Mr Sisodia continued the protest with them there itself.

He said Anna has requested that the movement should not die down.

Mr Hazare was sent to seven days judicial custody this afternoon after he was arrested by Delhi police for defying prohibitory orders.

Security was stepped up at J P park immediately after Anna put forth his demand. His supporters started reaching the spot after which police had to detain them.

Kiran Bedi, Shanti Bhushan released from detention

New Delhi, Aug 16 : Gandhian Anna Hazare's close aides Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan were released this evening, few hours after they were taken into preventive detention for allegedly defying prohibitory orders.

Ms Bedi, a former IPS officer, and Mr Bhushan, senior lawyer, were taken into custody when they arrived at Rajghat to participate in the protest announced by Mr Hazare.

Mr Hazare along with seven others was sent to seven days judicial custody by a Special Magistrate following their arrest under Section 107/151 of the CrPC early this morning.
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This is second freedom struggle: Anna after detention

New Delhi, Aug 16 : Asking the people to continue the struggle against corruption, Gandhian Anna Hazare today said his arrest must not affect in anyway.

"Do not let the struggle against corruption cease due to my arrest," Anna told countrymen after he was detained here much before he could start his fast.

Calling it the second freedom struggle, Anna urged his supporters to give eight days for the nation. He also appealed to them to lead a peaceful protest.

"Satyagraha is all about penance to our own self, which is being felt by others. Do not harm others. No public or private property should be destroyed," he said.

He added that this has shown yet another face of the corrupt people who are not serious about eradicating the menace.

His message was shown to the nation through various news channels and links on "youtube" portal.

The anti-corruption crusader were detained around 0735 hours from Mayur Vihar. Soon after, his close aides Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan and Manish Sisodia courted arrest from Rajghat area. They all were taken to Special Court in Civil Lines area.

Police said Anna was taken into preventive custody.

Meanwhile, more than 50 of his supporters were displaced from near Rajghat and Jai Prakash Narayan Park, and were taken to Chhattrasal Stadium for further legal proceedings. A similar number of people were held last night also.

Anna along with his supporters and associates had to begin his hunger strike at JPN park beginning 1000 hrs. However, as the police had denied him permission to use the venue, it was likely that the crusader and his brigade would court arrest.
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Anna's supporters rounded up by police outside JP park

New Delhi, Aug 15: Around 50 supporters of Gandhian Anna Hazare were detained from outside Jai Prakash Narayan Memorial Park, the venue which was earlier allotted to the social activist for his fast scheduled to begin tomorrow.

After Team Anna denied to agree to six of the 22 conditions laid by the police for holding the hunger strike, police cancelled the permission and imposed Section 144 of CrPC at the spot.

The people detained had accumulated outside the park to participate in the movement. Police displaced them and sent them to Chhatrasal Stadium.

Addressing mediapersons earlier today, Mr Hazare had announced that irrespective of any obstacle created by the government he would go on the fast against Corruption.

Mr Hazare is starting his hunger strike in the capital from tomorrow to protest against the government's failure to bring in a strong Lokpal Bill after rejecting the version introduced by it in Parliament on August 4.

Anna to go on fast tomorrow, calls for "Jail Bharo Aandolan"

New Delhi, Aug 15: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare today said he will go on fast on Lokpal issue from tomorrow irrespective of hurdles created by government and gave a clarion call to citizens to go for "Jail Bharo Andolan" against corruption.

"I will go to Jai Prakash Narain Park tomorrow morning. If I will be stopped, I will sit there itself and ask police where to go. If they will take me to jail, I will fast there and if they release me, I will again sit at the same place and continue with the fast," Mr Hazare said while addressing mediapersons here.

He called for a revolution to "fight against the government and change the system".

The statement comes on a day when Delhi police denied him permission to hold fast tomorrow after the organisers refused to agree on all the conditions laid down by the police.

Anna expressed regret over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's address today on the occasion of Independence day and said, "I was so upset to hear him. I have always believed that he is an honest person but today he also spoke the language of (Telecom Minister) Kapil Sibal. He also said the Parliament will decide on the Lokpal Bill." He stressed that he has full faith in the Parliament but only if the right Bill is placed in it. "Lok Sabha is the temple of democracy. But when such corrupt ministers reach there, it is its insult. Send the right Bill to the Parliament," he added.

"I have been asked that would Jan Lokpal curb corruption 100 per cent. This is nothing less then an effort to stall the process. I challange that if the Jan Lokpal will not be able to curb at least more than 60 per cent corruption, I will work at (Mr) Sibal's home to fill water," he further said.

The Gandhian continuously posed a question to the government as well as people that has the country actually achieved independence.

"Is this freedom? Even after 64 years of independence, the corruption level has only gone up. Don't we know about democracy? Does democracy means that get elected for five years and then only mint money?" he asked. Anna claimed that the government has lost its balance in the run for money.

Referring to the youth who has joined him in his movement, he said they were here as they were angry. "Today they have to pay for even their rights. So they are angry." Mr Hazare further said he feels so depressed to see poor people's condition in the country. "Initially I felt I should commit suicide. But I thought what example will it be for today's youth.

I would not let my spirits down. We wills surely establish a clean nation." He gave a clarion call to people to go for "Jail Bharo Andolan" and said going to jail in this way is a matter of pride. "We will go to jail and fight from there." He,however, noted that it should be non-violent.

Out of the 22 conditions laid down by the police, Team Anna did not agree to six of them. They were ending the protest on the third day, restricting the number of agitators to 5,000, parking of only 50 cars and motorcycles near the venue, no erection of shamiana on roads, no use of loudspeakers after 2100 hours and only government medical observer for Anna.

Government nervous, conditions unconstitutional: Santosh Hegde

New Delhi, Aug 15: Santosh Hegde, the former Karnataka Lokayukta and a close aide of Gandhian Anna Hazare, today claimed that Government is feeling nervous ahead of the anti-corruption crusader's hunger strike and so is imposing "unconstitutional" conditions.

The statement came in the wake of Delhi police denying permission to Mr Hazare to hold his fast on Lokpal issue tomorrow after the organisers refused to give an undertaking regarding agreement on all the conditions laid down by the police including ending the protest on the third day and restricting the number of agitators to 5,000.

"Why is the Government scared of Anna? Police is following orders from higher ups. This denial is signal of nervousness in the Government," Mr Hegde said while talking to a national news channel.

He added that the conditions laid down by the police were "unconstitutional". Legal remedy is the only solution for Team Anna, he added.

In run up to his fast that was scheduled to be held at Jai Prakash Narain Park, the Gandhian caught administration in surprise by making an unscheduled visit to Rajghat. Along with hundreds of his supporters, he prayed in front of the memorial of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi for more than two hours.

As the crowds poured in at the spot, Delhi police also had to reach there to keep a check on the security conditions.

Sources said Mr Hazare visited Rajghat to pray for peace and gather strength ahead of his fast tomorrow.

Anna prays at Rajghat after denied permission to fast

New Delhi, Aug 15 : A couple of hours after social activist Anna Hazare was today denied permission to hold his fast tomorrow on the Lokpal issue at the venue proposed by police, the Gandhian visited Rajghat to "pray for peace".

Anna reached Rajghat at around 1800 hrs. His supporters said he went there to spend some time at peace in front of his idol, the Father of the Nation, and added that the plan to go there was made suddenly.

Anna sat quietly with his hands folded and eyes closed on the grounds in front of the memorial.

As soon as people came to know about Anna's presence at Rajghat, crowds continued to pour in to see the anti-corruption crusader. Hundreds of people reached the place and sat around the praying activist.

From here, Anna is likely to leave for Constitution Club near Reserve Bank of India to address the nation at 1900 hrs.

Turn off the lights: Team Anna

New Delhi, Aug 11: Gandhian Anna Hazare and his team has appealed to citizens to turn off the lights for an hour on August 15 in the run up to his indefinite hunger strike from the next day.

"Anna Hazare will appeal to the nation on August 15 at 1900 hrs to join the hunger strike for the sake of the country. In addition, he would request everyone to turn out their lights between 2000 hrs to 2100 hrs," activist Arvind Kejriwal told newspersons here.

He added that during that one hour of darkness, they should light a 'diya' (an earthen lamp) "which will signify a ray of hope to remove illiteracy, hunger and corruption from this country".

Mr Hazare will go on fast from August 16 at Jaiprakash Narayan park adjacent to the Firoz Shah Kotla Ground in the capital for the Lokpal Bill issue.

Mr Kejriwal advised people to have a non-violent protest. "We appeal that no one should resort to violent means and people should not be adversely affected. We have come to know that some mischief mongers may enter the peaceful protests across the country and try to resort to violence," he said.
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Long day for team Anna in run up to Aug 16 fastLong day for team Anna in run up to Aug 16 fast

New Delhi, Aug 11: Civil society members, under the leadership of Gandhian Anna Hazare who has agreed to stage his indefinite fast on Lokpal Bill at Jaiprakash Narayan Park near Feroz Shah Kotla ground here, are making all efforts to make the movement against corruption successful with a number of events scheduled daily.

Today, the team would hold rallies, discussions, interactions with students and candle marches at various places across the capital.

Beginning at 0900 hours, the activists held a 'Padyatra' without foot-wears at Satya Niketan in south Delhi while conducted a rally at 0930 hours from Vishvidyalaya metro station. Candle marches will take place from New Colony More to New Railway Station Road, Gurgaon via Jyoti Park and Ashok Vihar and from Madhuban Chowk to DC Chowk between 1830 hours and 2000 hours.

A rally will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) at 1800 hours along with a street play by ASMITA. After around a couple of hours, a Tiranga Rally will be held from Sundar Nagri to Nand Nagri.

During the day, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi will hold an interactive session with students at 1330 hours at St Stephen’s College while RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal along with her fellow team members Kumar Bishwas and Manish Sisodia will interact with students and then participate in a rally at ITS Greater Noida around 1600 hours.

A Sarv Dharm Sabha will also be organised at Jantar Mantar between 1600 hours and 1800 hours in which various religious gurus will participate.

Yesterday, appearing before the standing committee of Parliament, Anna Hazare reiterated his demand that the government withdraw the Lokpal Bill under consideration, and take measures to deal with problems of corruption faced by the public at every step of life.

Anna denied to go back on his demands and said he would again go on a fast on August 16 if the decision will not be taken within the time-limit prescribed by him.

Following the two-and-a-half hour meeting, Prashant Bhushan and Kejriwal told the media that they asked the committee to recommend to the government that the Bill be withdrawn.

Corruption result of lack of moral values: Dalai Lama

New Delhi, Aug 10 : Calling corruption an outcome of lack of moral values, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today said a country does not belong to any political party or a leader but only its people.

"There is a lot of corruption. It is obviously due to lack of moral values. Without moral values, a person loses self-control and do what is wrong as soon as he finds the opportunity. There is a need to find your inner self," the Dalai Lama said.

He was addressing the gathering here as part of fourth annual lecture of National Commission for Minorities.

"The world belongs to humanity. A country belongs to its people, but not to any political party or person," he added.

The spiritual leader advised the corrupt people to be believer of God. "India is a nation of religion-minded people. They get up early morning to pray to their Gods but side by side involve in corruption. These two cannot go hand in hand. Faith without moral values is not faith," he said.

He, however, stressed that he was not criticising anybody but felt concerned about a country (India) which has kept its principles of non-violence and harmony.

Union Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, NCM Chairman Wajahat Habibullah, BJP leader Jaswant Singh and Minister of State for Minority Affairs Vincent H Pala were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

Government has to take care of other ppl in civil society: Salman Khurshid

New Delhi, Aug 10 : Government has to look into the interests of other people of the civil society also, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid said, not appearing optimistic about any outcome of the meeting to be held today between the Parliamentary Standing Committee looking into the Lokpal Bill and Team Anna.

"People have the right to talk to the comittee, so they will.

But they are a few people only. Civil society is big. Government has to take care of other people also in the civil society," Mr Khurshid told reporters on the sidelines of an event held here.

Gandhian Anna Hazare and his associates including Arvind Kejriwal, Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan, will meet a Parliamentary panel headed by Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi today to put forth their views on the Lokpal Bill.

When the bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 4, Opposition BJP had raised objection over non-inclusion of the office of the Prime Minister under the purview of the Lokpal.

It was then referred to the Standing Commitee by Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari giving it three months time to give its report.
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Anna Hazare firm on demands, says no going back on Lokpal issue

New Delhi, Aug 10: Undeterred to go on fast against corruption, Gandian Anna Hazare today stressed that civil society will not go back on the issue of Lokpal Bill and demanded that all issues set aside by the government be brought back into the bill.

The statement comes on the day when he and his associates will meet a Parliamentary panel to put forth their views on the Lokpal Bill. "There is nothing in the bill which is introduced in Parliament.

It is just a show off. It has been drafted just to tell the people that we have a law to fight corruption. It will be of no use," Mr Hazare told mediapersons here. He said he is not going on fast because of any happiness but only for the public, for the country.

Regarding the meet today, the civil society representatives called it a formality. "There is no use of it. If the Committee discusses the draft, it will be a waste of time for it also. There is nothing to discuss in the bill. The government has left no way for us to call off strike," RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal said.

Delhi government defends Sheila Dikshit, says no role in awarding CWG tenders

New Delhi, Aug 8 : Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had no role in awarding tenders regarding the XIX Commonwealth Games, Delhi Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said today.

The statement comes close on the heels of reports regarding the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) indicting Ms Dikshit and jailed former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi for serious lapses and irregularities in the infrastructure projects, bidding process for procurement of different Games-related items and several instances of wasteful expenditure.

"We have gone through the CAG's report. Neither the Chief Minister nor any political functionary has been indicted in it," Mr Lovely said in a press conference here.

The 743-page report has accused various ministries of the Delhi government of irregularities and lapses in the Games, held from October 3-14 last year in the national capital.

Ms Dikshit, who had maintained her innocence, told mediapersons yesterday that if the Public Accounts Committee finds anyone guilty, action will be taken against them.

She has been stressing on the PAC to study the CAG report to find any doubtful pecuniary actions made by her government in the Commonwealth Games bungle.

Besides the Delhi Government, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and other ministries and various agencies including the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Municipal Corporation of Delhi(MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Public Works Department(PWD) have been blamed for the entire mess in the sporting extravaganza, in which 4,336 athletes and 2,115 officials representing 71 countries participated.

Janlokpal Yatra: Citizens all set for Anna's protest on Aug 16

New Delhi, Aug 6 : Girding up their loins for another mass movement against corruption led by Gandhian Anna Hazare from August 16, thousands of citizens are organising Jan Lokpal Yatras across the nation to show their anguish against "anti-people" Ombudsman Bill proposed by the government.

The city's Jantar Mantar will witness hundreds of people assembling together to burn the copies of present version of the Bill, as initiated by Mr Hazare on August 4 when it was tabled in Parliament for discussion.

Similar marches will be held at Lucknow in UP, Raipur in Chhattisgarh, Pune in Maharashtra and Jodhpur in Rajasthan, a statement issued by India Against Corruption, Anna's NGO, said.

A car and bike rally, led by activist Arvind Kejriwal, was also organised today that started from Mewar College in Sector IV of Vasundhara, Ghaziabad and concluded at Vaishali via Indirapuram, Sahibabad, Kaushambi and some parts of Delhi.

In Jamia Nagar, nearly 500 students joined in an event to burn the Bill while in the evening, Nukkad Nataks were organised in Ajmeri Gate and Hauz Qazi chowk area.

Mr Kejriwal appealed to people to take leave for a week and come out on streets in support of the movement from August 16.

Burn government's Lokpal Bill: Team Anna to people

Ghaziabad, Aug 4: Gandhian Anna Hazare's protest against the present Lokpal Bill today reached the next level when civil society representatives urged all citizens to burn its copies to show their anguish against the "anti-poor" draft.

Today when the Lokpal Bill was tabled in Parliament, on the one hand Mr Hazare burnt its copies in Pune while on the other his team members -- Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Prashant Bhushan -- appealed to people here to follow the same.

"The government is forcing its version of the Bill on us. It is not serious about the institution of Lokpal. We challenge the authority by burning their copies of the draft," Mr Kejriwal said, addressing mediapersons.

He stressed that the main issue of contention between the government and the civil society is that the present version does not incorporate any measures against corruption at lower levels.

"The common man today has to face corruption at Panchayati level, 'rashan' shops, municipal corporations, government medicine outlets, to name a few. But all such issues are out of this version," he said. The team also burnt the copies here.

Mr Bhushan called the present version "useless" and said it will cause confusion and discourage the common man from complaining against corruption.

"The present Lokpal bill is not drafted to deal with corruption at all. In fact, it will deter people who want to complain against corruption," Mr Bhushan, who had drafted the civil society's version of the Lokpal Bill, said.

Mr Bhsuhan noted that there is "too much confusion" in the jurisdiction of the Lokpal and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and said a common man would not know whom to approach if he wants to complain against any scam.

"We have spoken to some political parties and are appealing to oppose the introduction of such a useless bill in Parliament. Even if they cannot oppose that, they should pressurise the government to bring a fresh bill which is structurally sound," he said.

One of the main points of differences between the government and the civil society is the inclusion of Prime Minister within the ambit of Lokpal. The proposed legislation does not bring the Prime Minister under the purview of the Lokpal during his term in office but once he demits office, he may be investigated for any wrongdoing during his term.

It also excludes the judiciary and any action of an MP inside Parliament or Parliamentary committee.
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Hazare writes to Prime Minister about Aug 16 fast; warns against crushing it

New Delhi, Jul 18: Confident of people's backing, Gandhian Anna Hazare today formally wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh regarding his decision to go on a hunger strike from August 16 if an effective Lokpal Bill is not presented in Parliament and warned the government that it would not be able to foil the protest like it did with Yoga guru Ramdev.

In his letter, the anti-corruption crusader referred to various civil society's demands regarding inadequacies of the Bill draft prepared by the government and demanded that these be corrected before it reaches Parliament.

"I have written to the Prime Minister about our fast at Jantar Mantar from August 16 today for the first time. It is our constitutional right to protest, so when the government says that it will crush our 'andolan' like Baba Ramdev's, it is not right," Mr Hazare said at a press conference here.

The social leader further said he was ready to face the consequences. "We are ready to get arrested and be beaten up but we have had enough of corruption. We are ready to sacrifice our lives... that is what I have written to the Prime Minister," he said.

Lawyer Prashant Bhushan, retired IPS officer Kiran Bedi, RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal and Swami Agnivesh also accompanied Mr Hazare.

Coming down heavily on the UPA leaders for their comment to impede his fast in the same way as Ramdev's, Mr Hazare said it is a democracy. The way people's support enabled him to go for an uninterrupted fast in April, they would back his team this
time too.

"The government is thinking itself to be a dictator but it should realise that it is people's servant," he pointed out. Mr Hazare and his team have been campaigning for a strong Lokpal Bill to fight corruption.

Mr Bhushan informed the gathering about their ongoing meetings with the Delhi police for holding the protest in the city. He said they have informed the police about their protest but their conditions to hold the fast were "unconstitutional".

"We informed the police about the fast on July 15. On the same day, we received a reply seeking an undertaking from us in the office of Commissioner of Police, well in advance. In that undertaking, they are asking for a 'No Objection Certificate'
(NOC) from the land owning agency, without which the permission would not be granted. This kind of demand is totally unconstitutional," Mr Bhushan said.

Reasoning further, he said the land owning agency in this case is New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). "Do you think they will give us the NOC?" he asked.

The meetings between the Hazare team and Delhi police in this regard are still underway, he said and added they were hopeful of sorting out the matter. Meanwhile, they would also apply for the NOC from NDMC.

Mr Kejriwal told reporters about a referendum they were going to hold in Chandni Chowk area, which happens to be Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal's constituency, to know the people's view on Lokpal.

"We have drafted an eight-page questionnaire which will reach people on July 21. They would independently reply to it in two days and submit it back to us by July 24. Then it would be checked through OMR process. It would tell the government what the people want," he said.

He added that interested persons will also be able to download the form from their website and answer it.

Shanti Bhushan v/s Amar Singh: 'CD not tampered'

New Delhi, Apr 21 : The CD allegedly containing a conversation between former law minister Shanti Bhushan and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav has not been tampered, sources in Delhi Police today said after receiving the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) report.

"The CFSL has concluded that the recording was authentic, clear and continuous and there is no tampering, splicing or interpolation," sources said.

Sources added that the dominant voice in the CD is alleged to be that of Mr Bhushan telling Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh that judges can be fixed for Rs 4 crore.

The Lokpal Bill Draft Committee's co-chairman Bhushan and his son Prashant Bhushan have so far denied the authenticity of the CD and claimed that it was doctored.

The report by the CFSL was sent on Tuesday evening to the Delhi Police. It contradicts two reports furnished by Bhushans which said the recordings were spliced or put together by combining separate conversations. Since the voice sample of Shanti Bhushan was not submitted, the report does not confirm whether the voice is of the former law minister.

The CFSL is a government-owned laboratory that specialises in forensic investigation. It is under the administrative control of the CBI and under the overall control of the Home Ministry.

The Delhi Police had forwarded the tape to the CFSL after the Bhushans lodged an FIR.

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After 76 hrs without eating, Hazare stands strong, loses 2.5 kg

New Delhi, Apr 8: As veteran social activist Anna Hazare’s fast against corruption demanding a stronger Lokpal Bill, entered the fourth day today, his blood pressure has started fluctuating with loss of weight but he still stands strong.

The anti-corruption crusader has lost 2.5 kg and his blood pressure is fluctuating, doctors examining Mr Hazare said and added that he is mentally going strong. Health of the 73-year-old activist has become a matter of concern as he has not been consuming even Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). Addressing the gathering at Jantar Mantar yesterday, he mentioned about his high blood pressure. “I am pleased with the people’s support.

Yesterday my Blood Pressure had shot up a little but today it is back to normal visualising the people’s support. Thank you,” he told his supporters who assembled there in thousands of number. More than 76 hours have passed when Mr Hazare vowed not to eat till his demands are met.

There have been wide examples from the Indian history when people had survived without food for numerous days. Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi had gone without food for 21 days, Bhagat Singh for 64 days, Potti Sreeramulu for 82 days and many others.The whole nation is looking and praying for the well-being of the Gandhian activist, who is trying hard to make the country corruption-free.

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Kalam "dies" and comes alive on cyber space!

New Delhi: "People's President" A P J Abdul Kalam today became yet another eminent personality to have received numerous condolence messages and homage while being very much alive!

The former President's educational advisor Hafiz Saleh Muhammad Alladin's death, in no time, turned into a rumour about Dr Kalam's passing away and spread like wildfire in cyberspace.

Dr Alladin, 80, a renowned astronomer, died yesterday.

Homage and condolence messages started flashing on social network portals like Twitter and Facebook.

One of the tweets said, "India salutes its greatest president! Dr Abdul Kalam brought rare grace, courage, dignity and simplicity to Rashtrapati Bhavan. RIP." The rumour gained further strength when noted author Shobhaa De also tweeted regretting the death of Dr Kalam. Soon she removed that message and expressed deep regrets saying, "A thousand apologies.

Our beloved former President is alive and well. Jiyo Hazaaron Saal.

Maafi Chhaiye." However, with no dearth of people who rejected the news, the post was removed from the sites soon followed by many posts and tweets about Dr Kalam being very much alive.

Some called it a "cyber death for a few hours" while others termed the people who spread such rumours as "dumb".

Numerous countrymen also wished for Dr Kalam's well being and long life. "Guys, believe me, Abdul Kalam performs Shivananda yoga everyday and eats simply. He'll outlive all of us," a tweet said.

Stone pelting is weapon used by Pakistan to invade India: Advani

New Delhi, Aug 27 (UNI) Recalling the history of India when it was divided into two nations, senior BJP leader L K Advani today said the present situation in Kashmir is another tactic used by Pakistan to invade it. ''

The neighbouring nation has just changed its strategy to conquer this integral part of India. Initially it was through wars on borders, then proxy war and now civil war among people,'' Mr Advani said.

He was speaking during a discussion on 'Resolving the Kashmir Issue', organised by a Conclave of Defence Services Veterans here.

Referring to stone pelting incidents in the Valley, Mr Advani said it was not a deliberate act of innocent youths in the Valley but militants and some politically-motivated people formed a part of them.

''The people there are provoked to get into such an act,'' he said. In the august gathering of defence officers, the BJP leader also mentioned about calling back the Army from the Valley and said, ''It is a conscious effort to demonise the Army and if the government will accept it, the consequences will be terrible.'' He added that it was due to the efforts of the Indian Army that the state was still with India.

Mr Advani also elaborated the history of enforcement of Article 370 in the state and cited the sequence of events of how it was done. He categorically said if during the process of integration applied by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Kashmir would have been involved, then such a turmoil would have never occurred. He asserted that a measure of firmness was needed to resolve the issue in Kashmir.

However, ending his address by quoting BJP's Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, he said, ''The slogan still remains the same -- Ek desh mein do Vidhan, do Pradhan aur do Nishan nahin chalega (Two legislatures, two presidents and two symbols can not exist in one nation).''

Lieutenant General S K Sinha, Air Chief Marshal S Krishnamurthy, BJP leader Smriti Irani and many other dignitaries from Defence were also present on the occasion.

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