Pune: Anna Hazare’s social activist has decided to suspend the hunger strike which was proposed from Monday against the decision of the Maharashtra government that allowed the sale of wine in supermarkets and grocery stores, said the state government had assured that it would consider the views of residents before advancing with their policies.
A ‘Gram Sabha’ was held on Sunday in Hazare’s original Raleghi Siddhi Village in the Ahmednagar district.
“I told the villagers that now the state government has decided to post cabinet decisions before residents for their suggestions and objections and only after their nod, the final decision will be taken by the government.
Therefore, I have decided to suspend the hunger tomorrow,” Hazare said.
A few days ago, Hazare had written a letter to the Head of Minister of Uddhav Thackeray, said that people from the state had demanded that the policy allow sales of wine in supermarkets and walk-in shops called immediately.
On Sunday, during the meeting held in his village, Hazare said there were many beer bars, room permits and shops to sell wine, then why did the government want to sell it in supermarkets and grocery stores? Do you want to spread addiction? He asked.
“During the discussion with Maharashtra government officials, I had told them that I did not feel like living in the state, after the government began to think about his decision,” said activist.
Hazare said the wine was not a Maharashtra culture, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Saint Tekaram Maharaj had lived.
“Sales of wine in supermarkets will destroy our culture,” he said.
Hazare said when state government officials came to meet him, he told them that they had to consider people’s views before deciding on wine policies.
There is democracy here, and not the dictatorship.
Therefore, the decision must be taken only after inviting suggestions and objections from residents, and people must be given three months to apply their views, he said.