Amid the loud theatrics, over-the-top speeches and fervent flag waving at the Freedom Park here, it was easy to miss out the silent group of volunteers at the back of the stage who have undertaken a hunger fast to protest against corruption.
The numbers of those fasting has been increasing on a daily basis — from about 60 on August 16 to about 120 on Sunday — with a majority choosing to go on a hunger strike only for a day or so. However, at the back of the stage were a group of 16 people who have been fasting for six days in a row.
Most of those on fast are working professionals who have given up their day jobs for the week to lend support to the protest. “I am willing to fast as long as the doctors advise me to,” said architect Pratibha Reddy. She adds that she has lost nearly two kilograms since the fast started.
“It is the thought of leaving a corruption-ridden India to future generations that motivates me during the fast,” said 73-year-old Dharmaraj M.K, a retired professor, and the oldest person on hunger strike here. Not a stranger to hunger fasts, having done a three-day fast in April in support of Anna Hazare, Mr. Dharmaraj said, “I have never felt the need to stop this fast, and will continue it until Anna Hazare asks us to.”
Gurudeva Prabhu, who, at 18, is the youngest among those fasting, is an anomaly in this gathering of middle- and upper-class protestors. This small-time painter says that he was inspired to join the protests after facing much hardship due to corruption.
“I have not been given a ration card or an electoral identity card because I could not pay the officials a bribe,” he said.
However, the realities of supporting a family, including his widowed mother, overweigh his eagerness to continue with the fast. “I have to break my fast today, and return to work tomorrow,” said Prabhu.
Those fasting were being attended to by a team of 10 doctors, and even a Pranic healer. The doctors are all volunteers most of whom are students who have just completed their MBBS.
“Having studied in a government medical college in Bellary, I have seen first-hand the corruption that goes on in government hospitals,” said Jagadish S., a medical volunteer. Working with basic drugs, electrolytes, blood pressure and sugar checking instruments, these volunteers administer first aid to those fasting for dehydration, low sugar-related ailments and influenza.
