Various organisations held rallies and meetings, and undertook fasts in support of the social activist Anna Hazare, at Manipal and Malpe here on Wednesday.
The citizens, office-bearers, and members of various voluntary organisations from Manipal, Parkala, Sarlebettu, Indrali, and Sagri took out a vehicle jatha supporting Mr. Hazare and demanding an end to corruption, and a strong and effective Lokpal Bill. A public meeting was held near the Manipal bus-stand.
Adarsh Gokhale, lecturer at Jnana Sudha Pre-University College, Karkala, said that corruption had struck deep roots in the country. It was a tragedy that persons with dubious track records were getting elected as MLAs and MPs. Only a strong Lokpal Bill could check corruption in the country.
The members of the Malpe Nagarika Kriya Samiti observed a fast from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in support of Mr. Hazare at Malpe. The shops in the Malpe bus-stand area downed shutters from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. backing Mr. Hazare and demanding a strong Lokpal to prevent corruption.
Rotary Governor Jnanavasantha Shetty said that there was no sphere in the country where corruption had not entered. Hence removal of corruption should be given priority. The people in the country were fed up of corruption.
Mr. Hazare, who was undergoing a fast at the Ramalila Grounds in New Delhi, was echoing the deep desire of every Indian against corruption. The Opposition parties at the Centre should put more pressure on the Centre to introduce a strong Lokpal Bill in Parliament, Mr. Shetty said.
Leader of Samskara Bharati Srikrishna Upadhya said it was the duty of every Indian to support Mr. Hazare. Those who were not doing so were cowards, he said.
Municipal councillors Panduranga Malpe and Vijay Kundar, president of Malpe Fishermen's Association Hiriyanna Kediyoor, leaders of fishermen community Rama Kanchan, Gopal Kundar, Balakrishna Mendon, and members of nearby bhajan mandalis were present.
