Grab the widget  Get Widgets

Participation low, spirits high at Team Anna Hazare fast

Written By Unknown on Wednesday, 25 July 2012 | 07:46


Numbering far less than last year but exuding zeal, people from across the country on Wednesday gathered at Jantar Mantar in the national capital to join in Team Anna’s indefinite fast against corruption. Ankit from Tonk in Rajasthan came here in the morning, and sat surrounded by a throng of Anna caps. “I went to Anna’s village in Maharashtra to see if he practised what he preached. I realised that he is a true man. I’ll support him till the end,” Ankit told agency.
While Team Anna members Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai have launched their fast, Anna Hazare has given a four-day deadline to the government to accept their demands for a strong anti-graft Lokpal bill, failing which he too will start an indefinite fast.

over 2,000 Hazare supporters were seen Wednesday shouting anti-government slogans.

“I have come from Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and will camp here until the government gives in to Anna’s demand,” said Ramesh Chandra Rana, 43.

Most of people present at Jantar Mantar were from the north. But there were not many from Delhi unlike during Hazare’s fast last August.

College students and women also appeared have given a miss to the event. But not Nishita Gupta, a Delhi University student.

“I have come to be a part of this protest as I have been following this cause since 2011. I asked my friends to come along but many were not interested,” she said.

A volunteer of India Against Corruption, which is organising the protest, said the numbers would go up in the coming days.

Agasiya Bai Gupta came here came from Satna in Madhya Pradesh, hoping to get some help in getting her a Below Poverty Line (BPL) card.

“They demand bribe for making our BPL card. I paid Rs.1,000, but in vain,” Gupta, who is in her 40s, said.