These are the highlights of what Home Minister P Chidambaram told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday regarding Anna Hazare'e protest.

• Parliament should reject Hazare's argument that only his Jan Lok Pal bill be passed.
• Do not diminish the right of Parliament to make laws, every other right is with them (civil activists).
• We will take a political decision on the manner in which to move forward.
• Hazare has right to protest at an agreed place, for as long as he wants, subject to conditions.
• Hazare was inevitably but unfortunately arrested.

Everyone knows of the Rs 1.76 lakh crore skimmed off in the 2G spectrum sale, but how much has the government earned so far as entry fees in 2G, 3G and the new-fangled BWA?

The government today said it has received over Rs 2.15 lakh crore so far from telecom operators as spectrum fee and licence fee.

Up to June 2011, the government has received Rs 1,27,775.47 crore as spectrum charges and Rs 88,095.38 crore as licence fee from operators, total amounting to Rs 2,15,870.85 crore, Minister of State for Communications and IT Milind Deora said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

"These figures include entry fee in respect of 2G, 3G and BWA," he added.

The government seems to have become even more pliable. It now says that the rules for parking at the protest venues is this: Parking till all the parking slots are full.

Anna apparently has had just four hours of sleep at Tihar last night. Amazing resilience for someone who is 74.

And speaking of sleep, here's something that should interest you. The best position is to sleep on your back, according to a new study. It prevents neck and back pain, reduces acid reflux and minimizes wrinkles. Sleeping on your back makes it easy for your head, neck and spine to maintain a neutral position.

Anna's supporters have stopped the Dehradun-Varanasi Express.

The Delhi police which had allowed seven days fast at Ramlila Maidan, now says it can be extended.

Prasanna Zore says at India Gate, tricolours are aflutter amid a sea of humanity. An eight-year-old vendor selling trinkets says he has no idea who these people are or what they want, but such huge numbers are bad for his business.

Here's what's been happening in the Rajya Sabha in the impeachment proceedings against Justice Soumitra Sen.

Sen says: I will prove there has been no misappropriation, in fact and in law. I seek justice. There is no whisper of an allegation against my conduct. You are holding me guilty of corruption, when I have been cleared by judicial process. Fact is, the decision was taken long time ago to hold me guilty. Allegations against me have been expunged and does not stand in the eye of law.

He says, "I was cleared by district judge and order is binding until set aside by a higher court. I was offered VRS, I could have gone with a large sum of money, I still have a long tenure of service left.

Bizarre, but apparently true.

French film actor Gerard Depardieu was caught short on a Paris to Dublin flight and chose not to bother going to the toilet before relieving himself, reports the website timesofmalta.com.

"I will only confirm that he, in effect, urinated in the plane," a spokeswoman for the Air France-KLM subsidiary said.

According to the passenger, who was not named, the 62-year-old was visibly inebriated and tried to stand up before take-off, when passengers are asked to wear seatbelts, declaring: "I want to piss, I want to piss."

Let's give Anna a rest for a bit.

An interesting read in the Guardian: Former president Mikhail Gorbachev looks back on his role in the fall of the Soviet Union 20 years ago in an exclusive to the paper.

Meanwhile, yoga guru Baba Ramdev met President Pratibha Patil here today and submitted a memorandum against the arrest of Anna Hazare. According to reports, Ramdev requested President Patil to direct the Delhi Police to allow Hazare to hold his fast for a strong anti-corruption Lokpal Bill.

The yoga guru, who was evicted along with thousands of his supporters from Delhi''s Ramlila Maidan during their agitation on the night of June 4, later visited Tihar Jail to meet Hazare.

Historic session in the Rajya Sabha today. Justice Soumitra Sen defends himself as impeachment proceedings begin in earnest. To date, no judge of the higher judiciary (Supreme Court and High Courts) has been successfully impeached.

Why is he being impeached? Scroll down to our 15:25 pm post.

Manish Sisodia told the gathering that the issue was now stuck on conditions being imposed on the Gandhian for his fast. He said the Hazare team was willing to hold their protest at Ramlila Maidan but permission should be given for at least a month without any condition. "We are not willing to accept any condition like hold the protest for five or seven days," he said and added that, "Anna is not coming out as of now."

Long haul ahead of protestors in the muggy Delhi heat.

What remains now, is for a consenus on the number of days -- government nod for five days at Ramlila, Anna wants a month. Compromise likely.

Here's the report of the Inquiry Committee to investigate allegations against Justice Soumitra Sen. Read

In conclusion, the report says that based on the findings on the two charges the Inquiry Committee was of the opinion that Justice Soumitra Sen of the Calcutta High Court is guilty of misbehaviour.

Prasanna Zore from outside Tihar jail says the flow of people coming to the protest venue is ebbing. Energy is waning among protestors. Protestors now chanting: Rahul jiska tau hai, woh sarkar bikau hai.

Here's why court cases take forever to reach conclusion in India.

An application seeking the registration of a case against social activist Anna Hazare and nine others has been filed for allegedly insulting the national flag by unfurling it at night.
The application has been filed in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate R G Singh here, alleging that Hazare and nine others had insulted the tricolour by unfurling it at night in a TV programme recently.

In other news.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has said that Sachin Tendulkar should not play in the Indian Premier League if his name was under consideration for the country's highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna.

"When players like Sachin Tendulkar are sold and bought, it really hurts. A player plays for the country and not for companies," the Chief Minister said here last evening at a function to mark the completion of 75 years of Indian Hockey
team's victory in the Berlin Olympics, 1936. Chouhan blamed the IPL for 'ruining' the sport.

Just in: Justice Soumitra Sen arrives in Parliament to face impeachment proceedings in Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha is scheduled to discuss a motion for the removal of Justice Sen of the Calcutta High Court. Till date, no judge of the higher judiciary (Supreme Court and High Courts) has been successfully impeached. Sen, who will be  the second Judge in independent India to face such a motion for  alleged  misconduct in misappropriating Rs 42 lakh when he, as a lawyer, had been appointed a receiver by a court of law.

All that you wanted to know about impeachment

Anna update.

• Restrictions on loudspeakers after 10 pm to remain.
• Restrictions on crowd and vehicles likely to be removed.

The government has finally toed the line, but ensured that everybody who was critical of Anna is now a supporter.

Here's what Sushma Swaraj said in Parliament today.

"This government is not only corrupt but also repressive ... Corruption is a big issue and the way you have acted the people are on the streets," Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj said, initiating a discussion on the issue in the Lok
Sabha.

"The long statement conceals more than it reveals," Swaraj said, adding that protection of civil rights was one of the most important principles in a democratic country and the Opposition parties which are for supremacy of Parliament as also the judiciary, will fight for it.

No sighting of Anna as yet.

Across the world in Seychelles, a shark killed a British honeymooner in what is being called a freak attack. Read 

This is what the bbc has on the Anna Hazare story.

The Indian PM has criticised the hunger strike campaign by popular anti-graft activist Anna Hazare as "misconceived". Manmohan Singh's speech in parliament was drowned by cries of "shame" from the opposition MPs. Mr Hazare has spent a night in Tihar jail in Delhi, despite the government decision to free him. An aide said he was continuing his hunger strike in prison and would leave only after he was given permission to continue his fast at a city park.

Protestors waiting with baited breath outside Tihar jail's gate 4 and 5. Anna can emerge from either.

Prasanna Zore outside Tihar speaking to protestor Baldev Gulati reports: Gulati, a visually challenged person working with an NGO calls the PM, Sardar Churchill. Says he will camp outside Tihar till Anna succeeds in his campaign.

On Twitter  

Tushar A Gandhi says: 'A satyagrahi exhausts all other avenues before he resorts to Satyagraha'. M K Gandhi.

Tushar Gandhi is the Mahatma's great grandson.

The patriotic fervour outside Tihar jail is unmistakable. Prasanna Zore tells us that Sandeep Sharma, who works with Reliance Digital in Delhi told his boss that they could sack him, but he will resume work only after Anna is released. He plans to camp outside Tihar.

Hazare's aide Manish Sisodia, who was released from jail last night, said though the Gandhian was given bail he did not agree to the terms and conditions imposed by authorities. 

To a specific question, Sisodia said Anna has told the jail authorities that he will not leave the premises until the police tell him the status of his application for launching a hunger strike at the JP Park. "He told them very clearly that he wants to sit and fast there with his followers. So this is the status and we are fasting here outside Tihar jail," he said.

In sports...

Manchester United supporters hope for 'beginning of the end' as Glazers prepare to relinquish sole ownership, says the telegraph.co.uk. Read 

Quick updates on other news as we wait for Anna Hazare to emerge from Tihar jail.

The Times, London, has this story.

A couple lost their jobs because of romance across caste divide. They fell in love across an ancient divide and endured humiliation, hostility and the loss of their jobs and prospects, a young couple claimed at a tribunal yesterday, in a test case showing how the Indian caste system affects lives in contemporary Britain.

The man, from the lower caste known as Dalits, was a practice manager at a law firm, where he met his future wife. She, like her employers, comes from a higher caste. The couple are claiming wrongful dismissal after stating that they were discriminated against on the ground of caste.

The case comes as Theresa May, the Home Secretary, is considering whether to add the caste system to race, sex, religion and sexuality in British equality law.

Protestors being told to move to gate number 4 outside Tihar jail. Rumor is that Anna will be released from there.

Complete chaos outside Tihar. Medha Patkar addressing protestors.

Rediff.com's Prasanna Zore reports from Tihar. Trickle of the morning turning into a flood of protestors.

The mood is collective anger, but they are venting their ire against the government peacefully. They are shouting anti-government, anti-politician and pro-Anna slogans expressing their mood against corruption.

Unprecedented crowds outside Tihar Jail. Agnivesh, Kiran Bedi about to address the protestors. Around 50 to 60 students from MCM School march towards Tihar alongwith their teachers to join protestors, says Prazanna Zore. Some of the children he spoke to, don't really know why they are there. They've just tagged along with their parents.

In the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj continues with her diatribe against the government.

PTI says that activists Kiran Bedi, Swami Agnivesh and Medha Patkar are outside Tihar Jail. Hazare's supporters in huge numbers also gathered outside Chhatrasal Stadium, which was converted into a special detention area, this morning and shouted anti-corruption slogans demanding that the Gandhian be allowed to protest at JP Park.

Lok Sabha has reconvened, even as the din continues.

Jaitley: You only released Hazare when you saw the magnitude of protests. So your tack is now, can I somehow make it a confrontation between civil society and Parliament. We may or may not accept what a citizens' group wants to say, but we cannot take away his right to protest. Allow him the right of peaceful protest.

We reject the entire thesis you (the PM) have built up that this was police power.  

Jaitley: Time for govt to take tough decisions.

Incidentally,  Swami Agnivesh, who is part of Anna Hazare's team says the Gandhian is likely to come out of Tihar Jail.

Jaitley: Arrogance of power has become the hallmark of the government.

Who, how, size, duration of protest cannot be determined by the government. You can't impose the right to protest. Problem with the government is that it has too many lawyers advising it. (Chidambaram, Sibal are lawyers). PC smiles.

Jaitley to PM: Does your govt have the political will to fight corruption?

Civil society and the opposition wants you to know they have the right to campaign and crusade, protest and dissent. Your government is here to scuttle that. And we are opposed to that.

Jaitley addresses the government/PM: You don't a magic wand. You need political will. You bring in the necessary laws, the country will support you.

On the one hand you send ministers to receive Baba Ramdev and in the night you unleash the police on the gathering. Political spokesmen are being used as hitmen.

You cannot stand up and say these are the compulsions of alliances. The more arrogant you are, the earlier you disappear.  

Jaitley in RS: India is exasperated with the government which has no solutions to corruption. This government is responsible for the most monumental scams. India is fed up with corruption. Action taken against corruption was not voluntary. You were forced to take action.

People in the country are becoming restless.

Leader of the Oppostion in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley speaks. He says the PM has posed a question before Parliament -- who drafts and makes the laws.

Jaitley says, "But I am wondering who runs this country. We find that the political leadership of the country is hiding behind the men in uniform. The most defining moment on Independence Day was not the PM's speech, but that Anna had gone to Rajghat."

Advani says he is reminded of Emergency.

The PM begins his statement in the Rajya Sabha.

In the Lok Sabha, all-pervasive din.

Meanwhile, news from in Tihar.

Rediff.com's Toral Varia reports: Sunil Gupta, Tihar jail's administrative officer, says that Anna Hazare has left the jail and was in the administrative block. "Like any other person, the relationship between him and the jail is over, and the jail manual does not apply in his case any more. We are considering what further action can be taken, we are talking to them."

Dr Singh says the path of Anna's protest is not correct. Team Anna must therefore allow the government to do its job. Anna wants only the Janlokpal bill to be passed in Parliament. But Parliament must be allowed to function.

His statement ends and Question Hour begins in the Lok Sabha.

The PM is due to make his statement on Anna's arrest in the Rajya Sabha now.

The PM says that all of us agree that Lokpal Bill should be passed by
Parliament. The question is who drafts the law and who passes the law. He says that the government acknowledges the right of citizens to hold peaceful protests.

Differences of opinion must be resolved lawfully. Must allow the elected representatives of the people to do the job they were elected to do. Says Anna's fast is misleading.

Opposition din continues unabated.

Speaker asks members to allow PM to continue with his statement, but the heckling continues.

PM says the Lokpal bill should be passed as early as possible and that the  government does not any confrontation with civil society.

PM began his statement with a moment of truth. Says it is "my painful duty" to report to Lok Sabha about certain events that took place yesterday. A

The PM says Anna made it clear that he and his supporter would defy the law and intended to move SC. Why is Anna stuck on Janlokpal Bill? 

The PM justifies action on Anna. Says the organisers (Anna Hazare's team) refused to accept the conditions laid down by the Delhi police to hold a public gathering. Hence the government had no option but to arrest him after reviewing the situation.  (Din from Opposition benches). 

PM Manmohan Singh begins delivering his statement in Parliament on Anna Hazare's arrest.

Meanwhile, yoga guru Baba Ramdev will meet President Pratibha Patil to submit a memorandum against Anna Hazare's arrest.  

According to sources, Ramdev will meet President Patil 11.45 am. Ramdev also proposes to visit Tihar Jail to meet Hazare. Hazare and key aide Arvind Kejriwal spent Tuesday night in the conference room of the Director General (Prisons) of Tihar Jail and reportedly slept for about four hours. He continues to be on a fast inside the prison premises after turning the down the release order sent by the government.

R Rajagopalan on Twitter: Government motion in Rajya Sabha proposes Sudharshan Nachiappan as member of JPC on 2G scam to fill the vacancy of Jayanthi Natarajan.

Jayanti Natarajan was the inducted as the new environment minister in the cabinet reshuffle.

Kiran Bedi on Twitter:

Anna is determined to go to JP park. Its a matter of time when DP (Delhi police) relents and let the matter be sorted out between Anna and the Govt. DP must remain professionally neutral and allow excercise of peaceful protest. Janlokpal matter is between people and Govt.

Anna updates this morning.

Kiran Bedi and Prashant Bhushan will lead protests outside Tihar jail at 11 am.

Anna Hazare's team wants him to be released unconditionally.

Congress on the backfoot: PM is ready to make a statement on Anna Hazare in Parliament today.

BJP demands suspension of question hour in both houses of Parliament to discuss the Anna Hazare issue. 

This morning:

Anna Hazare asks his supporters to attend a rally at India Gate at 4 pm.

A Congress core group meeting is on headed by PM Manmohan Singh. In the meeting are AK Antony, P Chidambaram, Pranab Mukherjee and Ahmed Patel.

Good morning. Hundreds have gathered outside Tihar jail as Anna Hazare refuses to leave, despite being offered release. Hazare spent the night in Tihar Jail refusing to come out insisting on an unconditional release and permission to launch his fast at Jai Prakash Narain Park.

Congress core group meeting is underway, even as Anna Hazare's team says it's ready for talks