Thaindian News

New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) Some were accompanied by teachers, others bunked classes. Hundreds of school and college students from across the city Friday thronged the Ramlila ground to support activist Anna Hazare, some hailing him as an “angel”.

They cheered and hailed Hazare as he entered the ground and, in his speech, described the country’s youths as his biggest strength. Many of the youths reciprocated by calling Hazare their “father figure”.

“He’s fasting so that we the youngsters can have a better tomorrow. He is like a father figure for us,” said Vikas Jha, Class 9 student of Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya in central Delhi.

Agreed Abhijeet Singh, a Class 8 student of Salwan Public School in central Delhi: “He is an angel and we support his version of the Lokpal bill because the government’s version is a farce.”

“Are lower ranked officers or the prime minister not humans? Can’t they be corrupt?” argued Singh.

The children slammed politicians and cynics who raised doubts on the success and effect of the agitation.

“It’s all about perception. Jan Lokpal bill is just the cure that our democracy needs. For a pessimist the glass would always be half empty,” said Nishtha Rana, a student of Kalindi College in west Delhi.

However, there were also some students who indulged in hooliganism and mis-behaved with some women supporters, including journalists.

A group of students constantly shoved and pushed a woman television news reporter until she decided to call off the shoot.

“They are here just to have fun and they have no regard for this movement, the people associated with it or for that matter even Anna Hazare,” fumed a 21-year-old college student Shama Khan, who was harassed by a group of youths.

Hazare reached the Ramlila ground around 2 p.m., after visiting Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat and India Gate.

Hazare, who left the Tihar Jail Friday morning, was arrested Tuesday morning ahead of his fast. He was subsequently released Tuesday night, but refused to leave the prison until he was allowed to carry on the fast without any conditions.

Hazare began his fast on Tuesday inside the Tihar Jail.