The city on Friday responded to the call Gandhian Anna Hazare had given to fight against corruption.
Students, professionals, retired persons, members of Fifth Pillar, representatives of various organisations and non-governmental organisations and others observed a fast in Gandhipuram to protest against corruption.
Rajkumarr Velu, Director, Operations, Coimbatore Zone, said Vanitha Mohan, Managing Trustee, Siruthuli, inaugurated the fast and extended her support. M. Krishnan, president, The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, expressed his solidarity with the protestors.
He said the protest would go in till 6 p.m. and thereafter a relay fast would be undertaken at the Fifth Pillar office in Sai Baba Colony. Members of the organisation had planned to carry on the protest till Anna Hazare continued his.
Students of many city colleges also participated in the protest. Mr. Velu said students from 10 institutions were present.
J. Arunachalam, S. Ezhilarasan and L. Govind, all students from the Government College of Technology, said they were on a fast and at the protest to make India a corruption-free country. They were also inspired by Anna Hazare. “If Annaji, who is so old can do so much for the sake of the welfare of the country, we thought we should do our bit as well,” said Mr. Ezhilarasan.
Their batch mate P. Dharaneeshwari was also there. She said such a mass movement was the only way to get rid of corruption from the country, which in the recent past had seen one scam after another.
R. Mohandoss, a quality management consultant, said he wanted to play his part in helping the country becoming better.
He had also messaged his friends to join. Many participants also shared their experience regarding corruption.