Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 6 (IANS) The anger and energy were palpable the minute one crossed the police barricades to arrive at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi where social activist Anna Hazare is on an indefinite hunger strike for a more stringent anti-corruption law.

People with tricolours, posters and paintings against corruption could be seen walking around as slogans of “Inquilab Zindabad” and “Vande Mataram” filled the air.

Dressed in a white dhoti-kurta and a Gandhi cap, Hazare looked calm yet determined to win this battle against the government as his agitation entered second day Wednesday with the septuagenarian showing no signs of slowing down.

On the dais under a white shamiana for more than 30 hours, Hazare would take small gulps of water in between a few hours as doctors checked his blood pressure for the second time in the day.

“Doctors check him twice a day for any unusual development,” said one of the activists associated with the movement.

More than a hundred other supporters, who are also on an indefinite hunger strike, were seated to the right of Hazare while members of various NGOs sang bhajans and songs on his left.

Huge posters with anti-corruption slogans on them adorned the background as the young and old came together to express protest against corruption.

Not far from the leader on fast, the half a dozen corner stalls selling food items from masala dosas to kulfi-faludas did brisk business with several hundred protesters and media persons thronging these shops.

“My brother told me about the large gathering here. So, I’ve come here from Chandni Chowk because I knew the business would be good,” said Ram Prasad, a 34-year-old selling jaljeera on a handcart.