Social activist Anna Hazare has once again announced plans for an indefinite hunger strike, scheduled to begin on January 30, 2026, in his native village of Ralegan Siddhi, Maharashtra. The protest is aimed at demanding the implementation of the new Lokayukta Act, which, according to Hazare, has been neglected by the Maharashtra government.

Hazare had previously written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, warning of the hunger strike and calling for the immediate enforcement of the Act.

The activist argued that, despite being passed by the state Assembly in 2022, the Lokayukta Act has yet to be implemented in Maharashtra. Hazare, who previously led a nationwide movement over the Lokpal Bill, has now demanded that the Lokayukta Act be enforced by January 30, 2026, threatening to go on hunger strike in Ralegan Siddhi if his demand is not met.

Hazare further claimed that, despite receiving the assent of President Droupadi Murmu in 2023, there has been no progress in enforcing the law. He described the issue as a critical fight against corruption, accusing the state government of lacking the political will to implement the law.

In response, Chief Minister Fadnavis has reportedly reached out to Hazare, assuring him that the Lokayukta Bill will soon be put into effect. “The CM and his secretary spoke to Anna Hazare and informed him that the Lokayukta Bill has received assent from the President and will be implemented within the next three months,” Hazare's office was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

The original Lokayukta Bill was passed by the Assembly on 28 December 2022 and by the Legislative Council on 15 December 2023, before being sent to the President for assent. President Murmu approved the Bill but recommended three key amendments. These suggestions were formally communicated to the Maharashtra government, as confirmed by Chief Minister Fadnavis in the Legislature.

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Fadnavis clarified that bodies established under Central laws will not automatically fall under the jurisdiction of the State Lokayukta. However, if officers in such bodies are appointed by the State Government, they will come under the Lokayukta's purview. Similarly, if the State appoints officials to a Central institution, those officials will also be subject to the Lokayukta Act.

Hazare first rose to national prominence in 2011, when he announced a hunger strike at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan to protest against corruption. His movement played a key role in the downfall of the Congress-led government in Delhi and at the Centre, and also drove new political figures such as Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP convener, into national politics.

( With PTI Inputs )


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