Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) “Tunisia, Egypt, Libya… Get ready India!” read one of the dozens of posters put up at Jantar Mantar here as thousands gathered Thursday to voice anger against mounting corruption in support of the fast-unto-death by noted social activist Anna Hazare for a meatier anti-corruption law.

The movement launched by Anna Hazare Tuesday has gained in momentum with each passing day as can be gauged by the massive traffic jam kilometres away from the site of Hazare’s agitation with even school children joining the movement.

Roads leading to Jantar Mantar were choc-a-bloc with traffic to the extent that the boulevard in front of Parliament Street police station, a stones’ throw away from Jantar Mantar, has been barricaded and vehicular entry prohibited.

Slogans like “Hazare, joh kabhi nahi haare (Anna Hazare who never loses)” and “Hazare tum sangharsh karo, hum tumhare saath hain (Hazare you fight, we are with you)” reverberated in the air as people danced to drumbeats.

Many were seen with huge paintings and posters against corruption as they engaged in live debates and street theatre on topics ranging from price rise to the 2G scam.

While some of the posters challenged the system and read “The fight begins”, others went a step ahead and dared the government “Tunisia, Egypt, Libya… Get ready India!’ - referring to the massive pro-democracy movement across the Arab world.

The marquee put up for shade, which till Wednesday occupied a small part, was Thursday spread across a major part of the venue as an increased number of supporters, protestors and media persons took refuge under it. Patriotic songs were played loudly through the day.

“I came here to protest against the lack of amenities in our village as well as the corrupt government officers,” said Bimla Devi, 62, who has come from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, along with her sisters, sons and daughter-in-laws.

“We are representing our village here which does not even has a proper drainage system till date,” added her 45-year-old son Mahipal Singh.

Many activists said the unique aspect of Hazare’s agitation is that common people from around the country who are suffering because of the corrupt practices in the system have got a common platform to raise their voice.

“You will find people here whose daughter was burned for dowry and the corrupt police officers did not register a complaint. There are people who have lost their loved ones because a corrupt doctor never visits the government hospital,” said Alok Burman, an activist attached to the movement.

“The Lokpal Bill is in the larger schemes of things, basically all these protestors are fed up of the way things work in our society,” added Burman.

Agreed Sudeep Srivastava working with an NGO, Nyay Manch, which is trying to set up an orphanage in Rajasthan to educate homeless children.

“I am here to support the Lokpal Bill as I am fed up the arrogant and corrupt government officers present in every department. I had come here to get sanction from the education ministry but they refused because I did not grease their palms,” said Srivastava.

Many citizens vented their ire at the government and threatened to launch a “jail bharo andolan” if the government “did not mend its ways”.

“I will stop paying my taxes. I won’t allow some foolish, illiterate minister to loot my hard earned money,” said Gunjot Singh, a businessman from west Delhi.

Meanwhile, an ever increasing number of school kids have begun joining the agitation, which Anna Hazare said gives him strength to carry on.

Children from various city schools like Vasant Valley and Blue Bells dressed in their uniforms were seen listening keenly to Anna Hazare as they promised to go back and bring many more of their friends.

“We’ll have a debate in the school and next time we’ll get many more of our friends,” said Ritwik Sethi, part of a 25 member student council from Blue Bells International school in south Delhi.