India’s Hazare resolute but ready to talk

Hunger striker Anna Hazare says he is open to dialogue but his determination to change India remains intact.

At least 50,000 people gathered in Delhi on Sunday to support the self-styled activist’s campaign for a tough new law on corruption.

Until it is passed in parliament, he told supporters: “I will not back down, even if the prime minister comes to persuade me. I will die but will not bow down until our demands are met.”

India’s Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee declined to expand on the premier’s offer of dialogue on Sunday but Hazare’s bill has been sent to a parliamentary committee for consideration.

The Gandhi-inspired campaigner’s supporters say he will not fast to the death but a medical team is on hand to monitor his condition.

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