Thaindian News

New Delhi, June 3 (IANS) Small activist groups who were also demonstrating at Jantar Mantar for an unemployment allowance, Sunday blamed the media for not covering them and giving more attention to anti-corruption crusaders Anna Hazare and yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s fast.

“It is the country’s media which decides whose demonstration to cover and whose not to cover. We are not as famous as Ramdev and Anna. Does it mean we are not fighting for the public or against corruption?” asked Satish Chander Arora, who was among the few protestors sitting on a day-long fast, demanding the award of unemployment allowance to each unemployed person in the country.

Demonstrating under the banner of International Awakening Centre, Arora said: “We are also fighting for the benefit of people, so why such a big difference? Why does the media not cover our cause and show it to the public?”

“At the Jantar Mantar, someone sits on a fast every day. But the media does not come here to cover. Ever when we call them to come, they never turn up. Because we are not Baba Ramdev or Anna Hazare,” another protester added.

Demanding that the government of India pass the right to employment and allowance bill, Sarabjit Singh, another protestor said: “India is a rich and powerful country, its economic power is very strong. Despite all that, almost 40 percent citizens are facing poverty and economic problems.”

“All unemployed people must be given allowances and jobs by the government. The government must retain the black money from foreign countries and conduct raids on corrupt bureaucrats and officials of the country. The black money should be divided among India’s unemployed persons, till they get a job,” said another person, Mukesh Kumar explaining their reason to protest.