Indian corruption activist abandons hunger strike

AN INDIAN reform activist, whose protest galvanised the nation’s anger against corruption, ended his 12-day hunger strike after forcing Parliament to throw its weight behind his crusade.

Seventy-four-year-old Anna Hazare accepted a glass of coconut water and honey from a five-year-old girl as thousands of his supporters cheered him on, waving Indian flags, chanting “long live India” and singing patriotic songs.

“This is your victory. This is the fruit of your work in the last 13 days,” Hazare told the crowd, filled with his supporters wearing the white cloth caps, reminiscent of India’s independence leaders, that have become the protests’ signature.