Demonstrations, processions, and rallies were organised by various outfits across the city on Tuesday in protest against the Delhi Police arresting civil rights activist Anna Hazare and his close aides in New Delhi.
While demanding Mr. Hazare's immediate release, demonstrators in a procession taken out by the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The CPI(M-L) leadership also demanded the Trinamool Congress, which is an ally partner of the Congress in the United Progressive Alliance government, to make its stand clear on the issue of rampant corruption in the country and its will to fight against the same.
Several civil rights groups staged token fasts in different parts of the city to express their solidarity with the issue raised by Anna Hazare and his anti-corruption brigade.
A dharna was held at Esplanade - at the heart of the city - where activists under the banner of ‘Jago' alleged that the government's Lokpal Bill provides greater protection to the corrupt section of the society rather than bringing it to book.
Criticising the arrest of Anna Hazare, the activists demanded his immediate release and the tabling of a “strong” Lokpal Bill in the Parliament. ‘Citizen's Forum' launched its campaign ‘India against Corruption' at the Salt Lake city area.
