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The status quo remains – reformer Anna Hzare continues to
fast, and the anti-corruption campaign that he started is steadily gaining momentum
garnering more support across the country – as the committee for drafting an
anti-graft law rejected two major demands of the anti-corruption campaigners.

The campaigning civil society leaders had asked the government
to ‘officially notify’ the committee that will draft the Jan Lokpal Bill and had
requested to appoint former chief justice of India JS Verma or former Supreme
Court judge Justice Santosh Hegde as chairman of the panel.

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal told Arvind
Kejriwal and Swami Agnivesh, two civil society activists backing Hazare, that
the government disagrees over two of their important proposals. Sibal said that it
was ‘not possible for the government to issue an official notification’ with
respect to constitution of the committee and also could not accept that the chairmanship
of the committee be given to a member of civil society.

However, Sibal confirmed that the government was willing to
issue an official letter, probably from the law ministry, and would also issue a press
note.

Sibal also said that all other conditions and points raised by
Anna Hazare on the formation of the committee were acceptable to the government.

Hazare is on a fast-unto-death seeking the anti-graft law, for
the fourth day since April 6. Among other things, Hazare wants 50 per cent of
the committee’s membership for prominent civil society representatives.

Campaign garnering
huge support

Amid the growing number of supporters from all sections of society ”
journalists, bloggers, doctors, lawyers, teachers, corporate executives, students,
homemakers – the campaign has now attracted
endorsements from celebrities, too. Friday saw actor Anupam Kher and Pritish
Nandy sitting at Jantar Mantar in support of the movement.

Anupam kher appealed to Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan and
Amitabh Bachchan to come and support the Lokpal Bill.

In a letter to the prime minister, actor Aamir Khan asked
him to pay heed to Hazare. ‘With great hope and all humility, I request you to
pay heed to the voice of Mr Anna Hazare. The nation is slowly but surely
collecting behind Mr Hazare in appreciation for what he is fighting for,’ wrote
Aamir.

‘I agree with Aamir Khan: Anna Hazare deserves greater support than the cricket
team. Please show your support for Hazare ji,’ tweeted Indian cricket captain
MS Dhoni.

Filmmaker Farhan Akhtar wrote, ‘I support Anna Hazare. Our
country has suffered from corruption for too long… Now is the time we get
together and do something about it.’

‘Just read about Anna Hazare … I pledge my support to this
cause,’ posted actor Priyanka Chopra.

Sonia meets PM and
other senior leaders

To discuss the present situation, Congress president Sonia
Gandhi met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday.

Ministers Pranab Mukherjee and Kapil Sibal, political secretary to Congress president Ahmed Patel, and principal secretary
to the prime minister TKA Nair were also present at the meeting, said media
reports.

Gandhi decided to hold the meeting after she had appealed to Hazare to
end his fast, and had assured him that the government
would seriously consider his views.

Hazare had brushed aside Gandhi’s appeal.