The first Sunday since Anna Hazare commenced his indefinite fast in support of Jan Lokpal Bill saw hundreds joining him at Ramlila Maidan. The crowd spilled out into the road and many waited for hours to gain entry into the Maidan premises. Police said around 32,000 people visited the grounds on Sunday,while volunteers quoted a much higher figure. On Sunday,Hazare came to the stage around 10 am. Responding to the cheers,the 74-year-old thanked the people for their support. Volunteers said the plan for the day was to educate people about the Jan Lokpal Bill. As the queues outside the Maidan gates got longer,police cordoned the area around noon the first time since Friday. Traffic was diverted from Ranjit Singh flyover and Delhi Gate. By late afternoon,many left the queues and took the protest to New Delhi Metro station and the restaurants in Daryaganj area. At the Maidan,meanwhile,additional tents were put up,another donation box was installed and the single food counter set up by the Amarnath Yatris Association on Friday,was complemented by three more. By evening,the media gate had also been opened for the general public. With offices closed,many came just to see the spectacle. A K Mittal,who works as a financial adviser in an MNC,had come with his family. I dont support Annas methods wholeheartedly,but the cause has my vote. When a spectacle like this is happening in the city,one has to come just to see it, Mittal said. Alistair Reynolds,a Scottish national who is on a Rajasthan tour stepped into the Maidan to witness the protest. I heard there was a protest,so I came here. Ive never seen anything like this, said Reynolds.
