Giving the much needed boost to the nation wide anti-corruption movement launched by the veteran Gandhian and anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, two freedom fighters today announced they would also join his indefinite fast from August 16 demanding a stronger Lok Pal Bill.

Mr Venkita Kalyanam who was the last surviving personal secretary of Mahatma Gandhi and Lakshmikanthan Bharathi who was part of the Quit India movement in 1942 said in Chennai today they would also sit on indefinite fast along with Anna Hazare from August 16 supporting the demand to introduce in Parliament the Jan Lok Pal Bill prepared by the civil society.

 The two veterans were among the hundreds of people who burnt the copies of what they described as the Joke pal Bill in the Marina Beach today.

 Speaking to media persons at the Marina, the two freedom fighters called the British rule as ‘the good old days’ and said corruption began in India immediately after the declaration of Independence.

“Even as early as September 1947, the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru used to receive not less than 100 letters daily from the public complaining that politicians and ministers had become corrupt  and were living in luxury,” said the 85-year-old Bharathi, who, at 16, was jailed for six months for participating in the Quit India Movement. 

“It is a great feeling to participate in the anti-corruption movement,” said Kalyanam, adding he was happy that the youth was taking up the cause. “Never was India against corruption as it is today,” he said proudly.