The social activist Gandhian Anna Hazare has decided to end his hunger strike against Maharashtra’s wine policy.
“I have decided to suspend my proposed hunger strike against Maharashtra Government’s wine policy. I received a letter from the Secretary of the concerned department in which he assured me that people’s decision would be considered before implementing the policy,” Anna Hazare told media on Sunday.
Anna Hazare had announced an indefinite hunger strike starting February 14 in protest of her opposition to the Maharashtra administration’s plan to allow the sale of wine in walk-in stores.
He had sent an email to the Maharashtra Chief Minister in which he announced his hunger strike.
“If the state government fails to reverse its decision to sell wine based on the views of the workers and people throughout the state, we are required to agitate…I will be forced to commence an unending hunger strike starting January 14th at Yadav Baba temple at Ralegan Siddhi,” the letter included.
“The decision is believed to have been taken because of the rising state revenue and those of the winemakers and wine sellers. However, the government doesn’t believe that this decision will cause young children to become dependent on alcohol, but women might also be affected by this choice,” they added.
Anna Hazare had said that she had already written two reminder letters at the head of the government on the issue, but no response has been received.
Maharashtra government has approved the idea of selling wine in walk-in stores throughout the state for a fixed annual license cost of Rs. 5000.
According to the state’s cabinet, this decision is designed to provide an easier marketing avenue that is more accessible to Indian wineries.
