All India protests after Hazare locked up

Maharashtra

Ralegan Siddhi: People in social activist Anna Hazare’s hometown in Ahmednagar district protested against his detention in Delhi by coming onto the streets along with their cattle and blocking the traffic.

The 73-year-old Gandhian,who was scheduled to hold a fast against corruption in J P Park in Delhi was detained by the police early morning.

As the news of Anna’s detention spread,people in the village gathered at road intersections and blocked traffic,including some state transport buses.

“The entire village is observing a bandh today,” Hazare’s associate Datta Awari said.

Youth and school students have also joined the protests,Awari added.

Member of Ralegan Siddhi gram panchayat Bheema Pote said by detaining Anna,the government has acted against the Constitutional rights of citizens.

Villagers have also decided to observe a fast today in protest of the detention,Pote said.

Hazare’s supporters also held a peaceful demonstration in front of the District Collectorate in Ahmednagar city at 11 am today.

Mumbai: Responding to social activist Anna Hazare’s call to fill jails as a part of his campaign against corruption and demand for a strong Lokpal Bill,his supporters today courted arrests in Mumbai,while protests against his detention gathered momentum across Maharashtra.

Thousands of supporters of Hazare,gathered at Azad Maidan in the metropolis,and were all set for the ‘Jail Bharo’ after his arrest by Delhi police early this morning.

“Around 50 to 70 people will fill up jails every half an hour. We would start this from 2 pm with women supporters,followed by youth and then the rest,” Mayank Gandhi,Mumbai unit in-charge of India Against Corruption (IAC) said.

Social activist Medha Patkar led the protests at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai.

“We had expected Anna Hazare would be detained,but had not thought it would happen so soon. After Baba Ramdev’s incident,we expected something similar. The government can go to any level to curb our protests against corruption,” Gandhi said.

Nagpur: A large number of people including activists Umesh Choube and noted economist Srinivas Khandewale today courted arrest extending support to Hazare’s call for an effective Lokpal Bill.

Sporting ‘Gandhi’ caps with slogans ‘I am Anna’ supporters gathered at the Reserve Bank of India Square in Civil Lines on busy Nagpur-Jabalpur national highway.

A large number of women and college students in uniforms sporting badges were present at the RBI square.

Pune: Supporters of Anna Hazare gathered in a city square to condemn police action and his detention in Delhi this morning.

Carrying placards,scores of people raised slogans at Balgandharva square,supporting Hazare’s anti-corruption campaign and condemning the government for “anti-democratic” measures.

The protesters took out a morcha through the streets before staging a noisy protest demonstration,in which,many youth and social activists participated.

Rajasthan

Jaipur: Supporters of Anna Hazare called his arrest “unconstitutional” as they began their relay-strike in the city.

“Police action against Anna is completely unconstitutional and the people of Jaipur support him,” an activist Laxman Singh said.

The activists,demanding a strong Lokpal Bill,began their three-day relay strike at Udyog Maidan near statue circle.

“Each day,25 people will sit on strike in Anna’s support,” Laxman said,adding that a rally has also been proposed in support of Anna.

Jharkhand

Ranchi: The ’74 Chetna Manch,a forum comprising participants of Jayaprakash Narayan movement,today staged a sit-in here in support of civil rights activist Anna Hazare’s demand for an ‘effective’ anti-corruption Bill.

“Ours is a peaceful show of solidarity to Anna Hazare’s movement against corruption. If the Anna team believes that effective Lokpal Bill could curb corruption,what is the problem for the Centre to accept it,” Manch convener Pramod Mishra told reporters at Shahid Chowk where they staged the sit-in.

“We are also sporting black badges in protest against Anna Hazare’s arrest and preventing him from sitting on hunger strike,” Mishra said.

Meanwhile,several people from different walks of life took out processions in the city,shouting slogans in support of Hazare and his anti-corruption movement.

Bihar

Patna: The Bihar unit of ‘India Against Corruption’,the umbrella body of the citizen’s movement fighting for a strong Lokpal,also held a fast and demonstrations at different places in Bihar to protest the arrest of Anna Hazare.

Activists undertook protest marchs in Purnia,Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur against the arrest.

Demanding “a strong and effective” Jan Lokpal Bill,several activists of the Patna branch of IAC assembled at the Kargil Chowk and sat on fast.

They shouted anti-government slogans against the detention of Anna and his aides.

Talking to reporters,IAC’s Bihar branch Convenor Ratnesh Kumar Choudhary and media in-charge Sanjay Duta said the agitation would continue till the government orders release of Anna and others and concedes the demand for Jan Lokpal.

Meanwhile,Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari along with his fans held demonstration in Patna to protest against the arrest of Anna Hazare.

“I think the support for the movement against corruption will swell… I supported the fast launched by Yoga Guru Ramdev and I am supporting Anna’s movement and will continue to support it,” Tiwari said.

“I think all righteous people will support the fight against corruption,” he said.

Meanwhile,state JD(U) president Bashishtha Narain Singh slammed the Centre for arresting Anna Hazare and team.

“Anna’s arrest is a shameless attack on the Indian Constitution,” he said.

State CPI-ML secretary N K Yadav said his party activists held state-wide protests against the government for arresting Hazare and burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Rights activists,writers,artists and professionals from different walks came out in Kerala against the arrest of Anna Hazare and his close associates in New Delhi.

Activists under the “Citizen’s Forum” organised a fast in the state capital protesting Hazare’s arrest and pledging support to his struggle for probity in public life and an effective Jan Lokpal legislation.

Several youths,including IT professionals,gathered under the banner of “India Against Corruption” here in support of the anti-graft movement launched by the Gandhian.

“There is no justification for Hazare’s arrest. His campaign is not going to be suppressed through this undemocratic action. He is certain to gain massive support

from all parts of the nation in the coming days,” an activist said.

The student’s outfit ABVP has given a call to boycott classes in protest against Hazare’s arrest.

Punjab,Haryana

Chandigarh: People from all walks of life,including advocates and academicians,took to the streets at several places in Chandigarh,Punjab and Haryana voicing their support to civil society members in their crusade against corruption.

In Chandigarh,several intersections and roundabouts were blocked by people,including advocates,officials said.

A long queue of stranded vehicles was seen on several roads in Chandigarh in the wake of blockades laid by people.

In other parts of the two states,people took to the streets and raised slogans in favour of civil society members and also blocked traffic.

Braving inclement weather at some places in the twin states of Punjab and Haryana,people sat at several roads blocking traffic.

The protesters alleged the arrest of the Gandhian Anna Hazare and others was an “undemocratic step” by the UPA government.

Activists of an NGO ‘Awaaz’ raised slogans against the UPA government at sector 7 and 8 traffic junction.

At the rally ground in Chandigarh,another NGO ‘India Against Corruption’ decided to sit on hunger strike in support of the civil society members.

The NGO’s founder member Davinder Sharma told reporters that five people from the NGO would sit on relay hunger strike till the government comes out with a strong Lokpal Bill.

“I don’t feel that I am living in the world’s largest democracy,” Shammy Choudhary,a law student with Panjab University,said.

Meanwhile,security has been enhanced in both states and their joint capital Chandigarh in view of protests and to prevent any eventuality.

Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow: Social activist Anna Hazare’s supporters organised meetings and staged demonstrations across Uttar Pradesh,protesting his detention in New Delhi in the morning.

Shouting slogans against the UPA government,a number of social activists and common man held protest at Gandhi Statue in Hazratganj.

Activists of India Against Corruption (IAC),joined by several teachers,lawyers and students staged a sit-in demonstration at Jhulelal park in the city.

“Why in a democratic country like us,an old aged person like Anna has been denied to hold agitation and that too against the burning issue of corruption…We stand by Anna and will do whatever is needed to root out corruption,” said Pawan Upadhyay,a lawyer.

Similar demonstrations and hunger-strikes were reported from Gorakhpur,Gonda,Varanasi,Allahabad and others cities of the state.

Himachal Pradesh

Shimla: Anna Hazare’s supporters started an indefinite hunger strike at Mandi town in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday demanding a strong Lok Pal Bill and also to protest Hazare’s arrest.

Hazare supporter and civil rights activist Lawan Thakur said: “We started our fast to express solidarity with Anna Hazare and also to protest his arrest. If needed and as Hazare has appealed,we will not hesitate to court arrest.” He termed the arrest as undemocratic as Hazare had not broken any law.

Reports said more than 150 Anna Hazare supporters gathered at Seri Manch chowk of Mandi town and started their peaceful protest and fast. There are possibilities of similar protests happening at other places of Mandi,Kangra,Solan and Shimla this afternoon.

State’s Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) S R Mardi said unless the protests caused disruption in the traffic or other law and order problems,the police would not interference. “Peaceful protests are part of a democratic process. Every citizens has a right to protest,why should police stop such protests if these are within the legal framework?”

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has condemned the action on Gandhian Anna Hazare and accused the UPA government of first indulging in the corruption,and then reigning in those protesting against it. “The government has created an emergency-like situation in the country,especially in the national capital. It’s violation of democratic rights to stop citizens from protesting against Lokpal Bill,” he said.

Assam

Guwahati: Civil society under the aegis of ‘India Against Corruption’ and Kisan Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) came out to protest the arrest of Anna Hazare and other leaders.

Activists sat on a dharna with black bands tied around their mouth at the Lakhidhar Bora Khetra at Dighalipukhuri here,demanding Anna and other leaders be released immediately.

The activists had earlier planned to sit on a relay hunger strike in solidarity with Anna’s proposed hunger strike in Delhi but after his arrest,the plans were changed and now they will continue with their protest till Anna is released,said prominent lawyer and former Peoples’ Consultative Group (PCG) member Arup Barbora.

“After the Emergency,this is the first time that a similar situation has been created as the Congress government at the Centre is scared of Anna’s democratic protest and has launched a counter propaganda,” Barbora added.

IAC and KMSS will take the movement forward and this will continue till the “politics of principle” was established in the country,prominent rights activist and journalist Ajit Bhuyan said.

“People have come out to protest against Anna’s arrest who had launched a Gandhian form of democratic protest but the government by its actions has proved that it is not a democratic but a fascist government,” Consumer Rights activist Deven Dutta said.

New Delhi

Scores of Delhi University students today protested outside the Chhatrasal Stadium where Anna Hazare and his supporters are understood to have been kept after they were arrested.

The protesters also blocked the road leading to the stadium and shouted slogans against Delhi police and the UPA government.

Chhatrasal Stadium in Model Town in North Delhi has already been converted into a ‘Special Jail’,where Team Anna members are believed to have been lodged.

West Bengal

Kolkata: Civil rights activists today staged a demonstration in support of Anna Hazare and his anti-corruption stir.

Launching their campaign India against Corruption,activists under the banner of ‘Citizens Forum’ staged a dharna at Salt Lake demanding the Gandhian leader’s release.

Forum activists alleged the government’s Lokpal Bill does not provide greater protection to the corrupt.

Another rights group under the banner of “Jago” undertook a hunger strike at Metro channel in the heart of the city to protest against the arrest of Hazare.

Holding a banner which said “Break your silence against corruption”,the activists criticised the arrest of Hazare.

Orissa

Bhubaneswar: Demonstrations and dharnas were held in several places of Orissa in protest against the arrest of Anna Hazare and his associates in New Delhi.

People belonging to different spheres,including social activists,artists,writers and intellectuals,hit the streets holding placards and banners and shouting slogans against the police crack-down on Hazare and his team.

In the state capital,activists of various outfits,including ‘India Against Corruption’,staged dharna along the Mahatma Gandhi Marg extending full support to Hazare in his struggle for an effective Jan Lokpal legislation.

Dubbing the action on Hazare as “murder of democracy”,rights activist Prafulla Samantara said people were backing the movement for ensuring probity in public life.

A number of youth from different walks of life also staged a hunger strike under the banner of ‘Orissa Against Corruption’ expressing solidarity with the anti-corruption

movement launched by Hazare.

“We condemn the detention of Hazare. The crackdown reminds us of colonial rule. But his campaign cannot be suppressed through this undemocratic action as people across the country support him,” an activist said.

Reports of demonstrations,dharnas and rallies in support of Hazare and his movement were also received from Berhampur,Sambalpur,Cuttack,Puri,Rourkela,Sundargarh,Bolangir,Rayagada,Keonjhar and Bhawanipatna.

A motor-cycle procession was taken out in Sambalpur against Hazare’s arrest.

Tamil Nadu

Chennai: People today staged a one-day fast at various places across Tamil Nadu in support of Anna Hazare’s demand for a strong Lokpal Bill.

In Chennai,over 60 people gathered near Quaid E Milleth memorial in support of Hazare’s cause,carrying banners saying,“Say no to corruption and yes to Jan Lokpal”.

Many among them belonged to the Federation of Anti Corruption Teams India,an NGO against corruption.

A Coimbatore report said hundreds of activists,including women,from various organisations observed fast in response to a call given by the local chapter of Anti Corruption Movement,to support Hazare’s cause.

The activists belonging to Hindu Makkal Katchi,Gandhi Makkal Iyakkam,Voice and Hanuman Sena were critical of Delhi police and the Centre for arresting Hazare and arresting his aides Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan,police said.

The nearby textile hub of Tirupur,however,did not witness much of an impact,police said.

In Madurai,members of various Hindu organisations,including Tamil Nadu Pengal Meetpu Peravai (Organisation to save women from Problem) staged fast at Kalayar Kovil area.

Speakers said the Lokpal bill prepared by the government was fake and ineffective and was not a ‘sincere bill’.

Jammu

Slamming the UPA government for the arrest of Anna Hazare,political parties and supporters of the Gandhian leader called the move “unconstitutional” and demanded his immediate release.

Hazare’s supporters and several political leaders held protests and sit-in demonstrations across the city in protest against his arrest in New Delhi this morning.

Over 300 supporters of Hazare blocked the traffic at Satwari Chowk on Jammu-Srinagar national highway and raised slogans against the UPA government.

They lambasted the government for putting forth a ‘weak’ Lokpal Bill in the Parliament without taking the Prime Minister and Judges under its ambit.

“We will intensify the protests if Anna is not released. We will court arrest in a large number as Anna is the face of common man,” said Om Prakash Sharma,who sat on a fast-unto-death at the Satwari Chowk,holding Hazare’s picture and the tricolour.

“Instead of fighting against corruption,the government is now fighting against Anna,” he said.

A sit-in demonstration was also held in front of the Press Club here by several social organisations under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir Sangrash Movement.

Samajwadi Party State Chief Sheikh Abdul Rehman said,“Jammu is fully backing Anna and the Lokpal Bill. Police and the Central government have done an unconstitutional act by arresting Anna,who was peacefully protesting over Lokpal.

“What type of democracy are we talking about? It is totally autocracy,and emergency seems to be back,” former MP Rehman said.

Rallies in support of Anna were also held at Purani Mandi chowk,Janipur chowk,Manda Belt,Muthi,Gandhi Nagar and Gangyal area of the city by various social,trade and community organisations.

The protesters demanded that Hazare should be released immediately and a strong Lokpal Bill be adopted by the Parliament by including PM and Judges under its ambit. BJP spokesperson S Arora said the government had turned “autocratic” and taken an unconstitutional step by arresting Anna.

Over 400 activists of the Shiv Sena wearing chains held a march in the old city area.

“We demand that Anna should be released immediately. The government should tender apology to the people of country and Anna for his arrest,” party state chief Ashok Gupta said.

Jammu Bar Association also went on strike,demanding the Gandhian leader’s release.

“We are observing a total strike in support of Anna,” Jammu Bar Association president,B S Salathia said.

“The government should solve the issue rather than suppressing it,” he said.

Meghalaya

Shillong: Teachers and students of the premier North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) today staged a demonstration condemning the arrest of Anna Hazare and his team in Delhi,saying it was an infringement of one’s right to freedom of expression and freedom to peaceful protest.

The NEHU community — the students,teachers and non-teaching employees — held a meeting today in connection with the general awareness about JanLokpak Bill,senior teacher S B Prasad said.

Students displayed placards against corruption and expressed anguish at the detention of Anna Hazare.

A resolution adopted at the meeting conveyed solidarity with Team Anna in their crusade against corruption.

“We also express our deep anguish at the way in which freedom of expression and freedom to peaceful protest has been trampled by the authorities of the state. We pledge to bring corruption to an end,” the resolution signed by a number of teachers and students said.

Gujarat

Ahmedabad: Protests were held in many parts of Gujarat against the arrest of Anna Hazare today with people sitting on dharnas,shouting slogans and some shopkeepers closing their outlets for the day.

In Surat,protests were held by the local ABVP members in different parts of the city. Some of the shops in Surat Diamond market remained closed as a mark of protest against the arrest of Hazare.

“Traders at the diamond markets at mini bazaar and Mahidarpura have pulled down shutters as mark of support to Anna Hazare. I don’t know when they are going to re-open the units because it is a step taken voluntarily by them,” Surat Diamond Association (SDA) president Dinesh Navadia said.

In Ahmedabad,sit-in demonstrations and slogan-shouting were held at Income Tax circle and near the Town Hall by volunteers of local NGOs,terming the arrest of Hazare as illegal and unconstitutional.

In Vadodara,former BJP leader Nalin Bhatt submitted a memorandum to the district collector while demonstrations were held in Raupura area of the city where people criticised the move of Delhi government.

In Nadiad,district headquarters of Kheda district,supporters of Hazare stopped the Mumbai-bound Shatabdi Express at the railway station for 10 minutes. The train began its journey only after the Railway Police Force intervened and detained 50 odd protesters.

In Rajkot,over 100 people including some senior citizens held demonstrations with some of them also sitting on fast till Hazare was released.

Over 100 ABVP members and some local NGOs had gathered at the Lalbungalow circle in Jamnagar and shouted slogans against the Congress government.

Bhavnagar also saw some groups supporting Hazare and demonstrating near Ghoghagate area of the city.

In Kheralu taluka of Mehsana district,some local BJP leaders and supporters of Hazare handed over a memorandum to the Mamlatdar.

Goa

Panaji: Hundereds of Anna Hazare supporters today courted arrest at the police station against the police action on their leader in Delhi this morning.

The activists of India Against Corruption,a NGO inspired by the Gandhian,walked into the police station,following a public meeting at historic Azad Maidan.

The speakers demanded that the Central government should not try to suppress the voice of common man on the street by opting for tactics like what they adopted towards Anna.

“Its shameful for us that politicians are acting so blantantly against the crusaders of corruption. These politicians have parked their millions abroad and are worried that people will expose them,” Satish Sonak,a prominent leader of India Against Corruption,said addressing a gathering.

Hazare’s movement elicited support from renowned freedom fighters like Madhavi Desai,who recalled their ‘satyagraha’ held in Panaji to liberate Goa from Portuguese rule.

“Whats the use of independence if we have to suffer same atrocities at the hands of our own people,” she questioned.

Desai,a veteran Marathi writer said it is time for the entire India to get together and throw away corrupt people who have left the country bleeding.

After a two-hour-long public meeting,the activists later decided to court arrest themselves and walked into to Panaji police station situated across Azad Maidan.

“I am Anna Hazare and my address is India Against Corruption,” the first activist,who courted arrest told policemen. All other activists too gave their name as Anna Hazare except for a few from Bharat Swabhiman Trust.