Thaindian News

Chennai, Aug 16 (IANS) People in 13 districts in Tamil Nadu Tuesday extended support to activist Anna Hazare’s demand for a strong anti-corruption bill.

More than 500 people in around 10 districts participated in fast and another 370 activists in three districts demonstrated demanding a strong Lokpal bill, police said.

The anti-corruption movement got support in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Thiruvallur, Nagercoil, Karur, Dindugul, Tuticorin, Sivaganga and other areas.

In Nagercoil district around 900 advocates boycotted courts in support of Hazare and his demand.

In the state capital here, around 45 people were on an indefinite fast while around 170 participated in a relay fast, media coordinator for India Against Corruption (IAC) Bhavana Upadhyaya told IANS.

Police said 25 people were arrested and let off here.

In the morning, Lakshmikant Bharathi, 85 and Mahatma Gandhi’s personal secretary Venkata Kalayanam, 90 kick-started the fast here.

Corporate executives, software professionals, media artistes, house wives with their kids and small businessmen were at the venue of fast in south Chennai, Upadhyaya said.

Around 25 NGOs extended their support to the struggle, she said.

A majority of those who gathered were from the middle class protesting against Delhi Police for arresting Hazare and also against the central government for drafting a soft anti-corruption bill.

“The country is being looted by corrupt people. It is our money that is being looted and I would like to contribute my part in trying to prevent it,” Ragini Balaji, a software professional told IANS.

“I am here with seven of my friends. Some of my friends are participating in the relay fast,” Mukund Jha, a student of aeronautical engineering, told IANS.

She said in a survey of over 10,000 people comprising of students and general public 96 percent answered that the anti-corruption bill should cover all government offices, politicians, judiciary and also the prime minister.