We decide whether to live with corruption or without it: Aamir

“I have come to meet Annaji and hug him because he has awakened all of us. We all support him and are together in this anti-corruption struggle. I have read both the drafts of the Lokpal Bill and I completely support the Jan Lokpal Bill. Of course,it is upto Parliament to pass it and even Annaji wants Parliament to debate it and then pass it,” said Khan,addressing the huge crowd at Ramlila Maidan.

“We have elected our MPs and the whole country is now looking up to these elected representatives with great expectation to usher in a strong anti-corruption law. How far we or Annaji is successful,we will see only once the Bill is passed. This is just the beginning of the struggle and the end will come only when the Bill is passed,” he said.

Khan also expressed concern over Hazare’s failing health and said he was “scared for him”.

“I request him to end his fast. We all understand that this is a process and there should be a debate on the Bill. Today,we understand the importance of elections,something that many of us ignore and do not participate in. Since,I support the Bill,I will ask my elected representative Priya Dutt to support it,too. And I feel every Indian should go to their MPs and request them to support the Bill,” he said.

Urging the crowd to keep a close eye on “what kind of a Bill is passed”,Khan said even if a strict law is passed,it is finally up to the people of the country to “root out corruption”.

“I hope there is a strict law,but along with this,at the end of it all,you and I have to decide how we live our lives,whether with corruption or without it. We have to root out corruption with our actions,” he said.

Khan joined the singers on the stage and hummed along the song O Mitwa from his film Lagaan. The actor was at the protest site till late in the evening and joined other Muslims observing roza in breaking the fast.

Hirani also addressed the crowd. “I have seen corruption right from childhood,but never thought that there could be such a crusade against corruption. I have come here to salute all you people and Annaji. I had made a film with a character on (Mahatma) Gandhi and people said that in today’s world his ideals do not work. But now we have a new Gandhi in front of us. We need Annaji to keep the struggle on and I too urge him to break his fast as soon as possible,” he said.

Earlier in the day,singer Sonu Niigaam enthralled the crowd by singing some of his popular songs for over 30 minutes. Niigaam,however,said he did not know much about the Bill and had come after he heard from his mother that “an old man was fasting”. Niigaam said he wanted to “treat him (Anna) with his music”.