It is much bigger than Lokpal Bill, say protesters

Jantar Mantar -- the Hyde Park of Delhi -- has now become the nerve centre of a movement against corruption with thousands of people from across the country flocking here to express solidarity with activist Anna Hazare.

As Hazare's fast-unto-death on the Lokpal Bill issue enters the fourth day today, support for his movement is gaining momentum with people from all walks of life, including scientists, film stars and lawyers saying they have turned up here to send across a "bigger message".

For the majority of the people, the movement is not just about drafting of an "effective" Lokpal Bill, but it is about cautioning the government against "ever increasing corruption" and scams as a result of which India's imgae has taken a "serious beating".

"This movement is against corruption. It is a movement to cleanse India's image as a graft-ridden country" said Gurpreet Singh, a 45-year-old social activist from Chandigarh who has come here to participate in the protest.

Echoing similar views, Ram Dulari Yadav of National Blind Youth Association said although Hazare has started his agitation for a joint committee of civil society members and government representatives to draft a strong anti-graft bill, the movement has a bigger meaning for the country.

"This is a country-wide movement against corruption. It has a larger message and it will continue," Yadav, who has come here along with 25 other blind people from the city, said, expressing solidarity to the movement led by Hazare.

Another group of 50 blind people under the banner of Indian Joint Organisation of Blind are also participating in the protest to "fight corruption"

"Corruption is becoming synonymous with our way of life. The irony is that all our leaders have accepted corruption as very normal. It pains me as an Indian, it pains me as a follower of Gandhiji," said 72-year-old septuagenarian Radha Vinod Gupta of Rohini area of the city.

Gupta, who was a Delhi Government employee, said he has decided to come to the protest "listening to his inner voice."

"There has been an anger inside me against what is happening in the country. This is very disturbing. We have started to acknowledge that corruption is part of the system," Gupta, who came with his wife, said.

For Abhijit Sarkar, a 21-year-old Delhi University student, Jantar Mantar has become India's Tahrir Square where a "mega movement is taking its shape".

"I have been coming here for last three days. We are really proud of being part of this great movement," he said, holding a placard that said "We are not corrupt. Follow us."