Author: CNN-IBN
Publication: IBNLive.com
Date: August 17, 2011
URL: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/massive-protests-across-india-in-annas-support/176402-3.html
Even as Anna Hazare remained in Tihar Jail
demanding unconditional release and permission to fast as long as he wants
to, his supporters have kept the anti-corruption crusade alive by taking part
in protests across India.
Massive rallies in support of Hazare have
been taken out in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkatta, Chennai,
Patna, Lucknow, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneshwar, Ranchi and Bhopal. Protest
rallies have also been reported from several smaller cities and towns.
Many people took leave from work in several
cities to show their solidarity with the anti-corruption movement. A large
number of people assembled at India Gate in New Delhi and marched towards
Jantar Mantar near Parliament demanding Hazare's release. Hazare supporters
who have been camping outside the Tihar Jail since Tuesday evening sang patriotic
songs and shouting slogans in support of Hazare.
Protests continued in Mumbai, too, as anti-corruption
movement supporters thronged the Azad Maidan in South Mumbai. Besides the
activists of the NGO 'India Against Corruption' (IAC), youth and mill workers
also joined the protests.
Some railway employees also joined in the
protest. Motormen gathered in front of the divisional railway manager's office
at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, to express support to Hazare s agitation
but train services were not disrupted.
The issue also rocked the Orissa Assembly
which was adjourned twice amid uproar as BJP and ruling BJD MLAs condemned
the police action and sought a strong Lokpal Bill.
BJP legislature party leader KV Singhdeo and
party members described the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre as "murderer
of democracy."
Lawyers of Orissa High Court in Cuttack wore
black badges and termed the action on Hazare as an assault on democracy and
human rights.
The Bihar unit of 'India Against Corruption'
said its members would start a wider contact programme in the state from Thursday
visiting villages and towns, state IAC convenor Sanjay Kumar Dutta said.
Hazare's supporters undertook a 'padyatra'
from Maurya Lok complex to Kargil Chowk in Patna on Wednesday morning in protest
against Tuesday's police action against Hazare and his supporters in New Delhi.
In Jharkhand, India cricket team captain MS
Dhoni's elder brother Narendra Singh Dhoni came out in support of Hazare and
demanded a strong Lokpal. In Andhra Pradesh workers of BJP, TDP, PRP, Lok
Satta and several voluntary organisations held rallies and demonstrations
in several cities.
Former Uttarakhand chief minister BC Khanduri
led a rally in support of Hazare. Students in Arunachal Pradesh stalled traffic
movement on the vital NH 52-A in the North East.
