Hostage To The Fast

Three men launched a fast-unto-death in Maharashtra in the last few weeks. Raju Shetty, MP from south Maharashtra, was seeking hike in the procurement price of sugarcane. Government yielded after five days. Ravi Rana and Girish Mahajan, both MLAs, went on a fast to demand better price for cotton.  Again, the government  yielded.

It seems that fasts-unto-death are now in vogue. Certainly, this has to do with the resounding success of Hazare's two fasts early this year. I do not know how effective the Jan Lokpal Bill would be. The triumphs of  Shetty, Rana and Mahajan  would lead to tangible and immediate benefit for farmers. 

There could be hundreds of burning and worthy causes in this country. What happens if the government is faced with  fast  a month? 

Anna Hazare must answer this question. You started the epidemic, Anna. Or should one blame Gandhi?

In the aftermath of Kandahar hijacking, the government passed a resolution. It said that in future, as a matter of policy, demands of hijackers would not be conceded. May be another policy decision would have to be taken now: demands of fast-ers would not be conceded, whoever be the fast-er, whatever be the cause.