As veteran anti-corruption campaigner Anna Hazare's fast-unto-death entered the third day at Jantar Mantar here on Thursday, people from varied political, economic and religious persuasions thronged the venue, united in the belief that this was their chance to rid the country of the corruption menace.
Mr. Hazare's supporters included teachers and students from Delhi schools, labourers and peasants from Muzaffarnagar, student activists from Delhi University, doctors, computer professionals, members of the Aligarh Muslim University Students' Union, insurance agents, sadhus and even a healthy sprinkling of well-to-do Delhiites.
Letters from organisations of traders, wrestlers, farmers and professional bodies across the country voicing their support for Mr. Hazare's campaign were read out to cheers from the assembled supporters.
The curious mix of citizens who reached the venue indicated to some extent the efficacy of Gandhian methods to transcend ideological and class barriers.
While speaker after speaker warned the government that it would be held responsible for any deaths among the 200-odd satyagrahis who had joined Mr. Hazare on his fast, three persons collapsed and had to be given medication.
An elderly person who fainted was taken to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, while a youngster who collapsed with hypoglycaemia, was convinced by Mr. Hazare to take medication despite his protestations. After he recovered, he went back to join the fast.
Between songs and the speeches that were well received, people could be seen jostling to catch a glimpse of Mr. Hazare and capture his photograph on their mobile phones. Strangers huddled together in groups engaged in animated conversation agreeing that the “establishment needed this shake-up.”
A representative of the Delhi Medical Association said doctors in the city would undertake a fast on Saturday with the slogan: “Corruption-free India is a healthy India.” A small girl held up a banner: “Sorry teacher, I will not be able to do my homework as I have to finish this first – Jan Lokpal Bill”.
At a corner of the Jantar Mantar Road, behind the shamiana that has spread out wider to provide shade from the April sun, Bihar-based Tabrez Alam was quietly painting Gandhiji spinning the charkha.
Among the prominent people who visited the venue included senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, film director Madhur Bhandarkar, and actor Raza Murad.
Keywords: Anna Hazare fast, Lokpal Bill demand
This was the long waited step needed to be taken in India. I was expecting something like this right after commonwealth games that there is going to be an action from public which will shake the whole govt. I truely admire the step taken by Mr.Hazare, he is not alone in the this battle, he is just one citizen of the nation who shaken the whole govt body now it is time for the govt to think that what if the whole country unites and fight this battle strongly then no law will work. and kind of responses coming form common masses of the country are the signs of great revolution and the formation of new india a corruption free india. I am coming to join the protest at last. I cant sit in my office whole day and see the whole thing as drama. i want to be a part of it.
Well in democracy like India with tens of millions of poor people, these faults in the system cannot be rectified. You can bring one hundred bills into the system as laws but people will find hundred thousand ways to pay bribes and corruption.
At last, somebody has made us realize it is us who have the real Power. Fish starts rotting from the head and serpent is killed from head. Anna Hazare, you have started the awakening to take India back to the path of 'spiritual leader of the world'.
One and all(except the corrupt) should support Anna Hazare and his followers because this is a struggle for the future generation.The youth should take it as a criket match. We should support for this cause with the same zeal we showered at the time of world cricket to celebrate the maha victory.
we have long enjoyed the happyness of being mum and acting dumb. It's high time for all of us raise our voice. Not only IT people like me but also people from all sort of field can contribute directly or indirectly. People with great background such as Indian winning team , IPL people , sports persons, Bollywood biggies like Aamir, etc can contribute a lot. Jai Hind. Lets see new India!
Jai Hind. I am happy to see ray of hope....At least we are making serious attempt to rid our nation from corruption and showing dispensation of today that now there are no free lunches any more. I would request all brothers and sisters...to pray for health of activist and success of this movement.
I have started imagining a new and changed India;situation like politics is corruption free - Babus have stopped asking for bribes-jobs are being offered considering merit or talent-all black money which is there in various countries routed back to India- Every Indian would get proper food-shelter-education-medication-infrastructure.
This can only happen if we support to Anna Hazare for bringing 'Jan Lokpal Bill' in the parliment to counter corruption. Anna Hazare - we all Indians are with you.
It is the duty of every citizen of India who are not involved in corruption in anyway or who want to make our society a corruption free, to realise the sacrifice that Mr. Hazare is giving for us. It is quite high time the government should realise the seriousness of the movement against the menance of corruption and should with out further delay acccept the demands for a effective Jan Lak Pal law, in the interest if nation.
In India, a new revolution has started a revolution against the menace of corruption. This is sphere headed by a social activist Anna Hazare. Public support is overwhelming, given the fact that the menace of corruption / bribes has reached to its roots into many lives. Support this revolution so that the system can be cleaned. By standing for the revolution, we support clean governance, a rightful judiciary and an efficient public administration. Your Tax money will reach the poor and a part of it will come back to you in the form of infrastructure improvements. India can be emulated in this crusade. The indirect benefits are that the business of politics will cease and the real social workers will emerge, who will walk the talk in true spirit. Nothing to Lose - Much to gain, stand for the cause.
When you live outside the country for a month you will understand how corruption affects our day to day lives. Every Indian should support this second independence movement.
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