CHENNAI: When volunteers of India Against Corruption started their fast called by social activist Anna Hazare, there were around 400 people present. With more and more people coming in to show their solidarity with Hazare’s demand for a strong anti-graft legislation in the Lokpal Bill, the crowd doubled in a couple of hours.
This was not a lone sight, as various organisations across the city came out in support of Hazare. For instance, the decade-old Anti Corruption Movement staged a stir outside Memorial Hall opposite the Government General Hospital, while the Federation of Anti Corruption Teams (FACT India) organised a day-long fast near the TNEB headquarters off Mount Road.
A myriad other organisations also express their solidarity with the Gandhian’s casue, like the black flag stir against Hazare’s arrest led by the Tamil Nadu Consumer Protection Organisation. The protests received the support of a number of organisations and unions— some of whom have said they would join the fast on Wednesday.
After meeting with volunteers of India Against Corruption, the TN Traders Association also announced it’s support. “We are strongly in support of the fast demanding a strong Lokpal Bill. That’s why our members will hold big solidarity demonstrations at all district headquarters across TN on Thursday morning,” association president T Vellaiyan said.
The fast was kicked off by freedom fighter and retired IAS official Lakshmikanthan Bharati in the presence of Mahatma Gandhi’s secretary Venkata Kalyanam, who said, “This is not a second freedom struggle, but a continuation of the previous one.” The fast will continue at 153, L B Road, Thiruvanmiyur and a live websact can be viewed at http://www.iacchennai.com.
'Fast will continue till strong Lokpal Bill is passed'
CHENNAI: Anna Hazare’s arrest and remand in Tihar Jail in Delhi did nothing to deter them from fasting.
Volunteers of Hazare’s India Against Corruption movement, who fasted throughout Tuesday, said they would continue doing so till a strong Lokpal Bill is passed in Parliament. The Chennai wing of the nation-wide India Against Corruption fast started with the advantage of being held in a private space.
This meant the demonstrators did not need the permission of the city police to hold their meeting. And being held under a government that is openly antagonistic of the Centre, the fast may be expected to carry on without any interference.
The demonstrations itself were a picture of communication and understanding between the demonstrators and the police personnel present.
Even when around 60 demonstrators courted arrest by protesting on the busy LB Road in Thiruvanmiyur, the police had been intimated in advance. What resulted was a smooth protest, with minimal traffic disruption.
“There is no need for us to antagonise the police force. We are not protesting against them. And they too have given us no reason to protest against them. Our intention is to hold lawful and peaceful protests, and the city police understand that,” said Venkatanarayanan of India Against Corruption.
While organisations holding demonstrations in other locations in the city in support of Anna Hazare found smaller-than-expected turnouts after the Gandhian activist was arrested in Delhi, the venue of the fast in Thiruvanmiyur only saw a steadily growing crowd supporting it. “This is only the beginning. With Anna Hazare’s release, the biggest mistake has been set right. But that is not why we are fasting. We are fasting for a strong Lokpal Bill, and we will continue till that is achieved,” said Venkatanarayanan.