RALEGAN SIDDHI: Amidst preparations by the India against Corruption (IAC) volunteers for the one-day-long symbolic fast in New Delhi, Gandhian and anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has taken ill. The 73-year-old Hazare is said to be down with a "serious spinal issue", described by doctors attending on him as swelling in the spinal cord.

The pain in his spine and lower waist, close aides say, have been troubling him for the last few weeks but the situation aggravated on the weekend and since Monday evening Anna has been bed ridden, badly in pain and the legs giving in. Doctors attending on the ageing Anna Hazare said that he had swelling in the spine and hence would be out of action for a few days.

Suresh Pathare, assistant of Hazare told newspersons that Anna was restricted to bed and had been asked to spend the next two days lying down. The doctors have put traction on his legs and have advised him complete rest until the swelling subsides and the pain dims. Anna, who has always held pride in his fitness has been going through a bad phase on this front for the last few months, especially after the Ram Leela grounds fast he undertook for 13 days.

Hazare advised 2-day rest ahead of Delhi visit

Ralegan Siddhi: Social activist Anna Hazare has been advised to take two days of 'complete rest' on health grounds ahead of his visit to the national capital.
"The doctor attending on Hazare has advised him two days of complete rest on medical grounds," Hazare's close aide Suresh Pathare said.
Hazare, who is currently in his native village, will leave for Delhi on December 10 and join the day-long agitation for a strong Lokpal Bill the next day.

According to Pathare, the doctor has also prescribed some tablets for Hazare, "which are being sent to the village," he said.
Although, Pathare did not elaborate on the nature of Hazare's health problem, sources close to the activist said he was suffering from severe back ache.
Hazare has already announced that he will sit on an indefinite fast in jail, if police do not give permission for his proposed protest at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, later in December for a strong Lokpal.
Team Anna has sought permission from Delhi Police for a fast by Hazare from December 27 at the Ramlila Maidan, if the Bill is not passed in the ongoing Parliament session.
Hazare had sat on a fast in Delhi's Tihar Jail in August, when the government did not give him permission to sit on a dharna in the national capital.