Thaindian News

Agra, Aug 22 (IANS) Anna Hazare agitation coloured even Janmashtami celebrations here, keeping them on a lower key this year as support for the anti-corruption crusader increased Monday.

The Janmashtami tableaux have Hazare as an important feature. A tableau in Balkeshwar temple, showing him churning the seas and depicting ruling politicians as demons, is drawing big crowds.

Protesters took out rallies, marches and staged sit-ins at the Shahid Smarak in Sanjay Place, which had dozens of organisations vying for space. Involvement in the protest appeared to overshadow celebrations of Janmashtami, which commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna.

“The protest has now spread to mohallas and colonies of the city. Stalls have been put up at various busy crossings in the city,” India Against Corruption activist Suresh said.

Advocates, doctors, teachers, NGOs’ representatives, politically-affiliated groups like the Shiv Sena, Hindu Sena, Jagran Manch, and even media organisations organised meetings in support of the Jan Lokpal bill. Religious outfits in Agra have already extended support to the Anna-led movement for a stronger Lokpal legislation.

The day began with a protest by Lions Club members, followed by programmes by Brahmin group Parsuram Sena, university teachers, the Sindhi Sena panchayat, theatre group Rang Leela, and businessmen under the Indian Industries Association banner.

Even politicians have begun joining these programmes. BJP legislator Jagan Prasad Garg said he supported the movement. In particular, he welcomed the involvement of the youth.

Bahujan Samaj Party’s Lok Sabha member from Fatehpur Sikri, Seema Upadhyaya, who defeated actor Raj Babbar, said she wanted discussions with all sections of society to end corruption but favoured changes at the personal level too.