Movement gathers momentum

Noted social activist Anna Hazare – the man who embraced the non-violent but powerful weapon of hunger strike to spark off a nationwide mass movement against corruption – is weak and has lost 1.5 kgs on the third day of the protests.

However, a defiant Hazare said there was no need for anyone to worry about his health as he could last for another seven days. He is in good shape though there has been a rise in his blood pressure and he is weak, said Hazare’s doctor.

The crowds swelled at the site of the hunger strike at Jantar Mantar on the third day with students from schools and colleges in Delhi and from outside the state joining the protest.

Students of the Convent of Jesus and Mary visited Jantar Mantar accompanied by their class teacher. When asked why they had come instead of attending their class, a 12th standard girl said: “Fighting corruption was more important than attending class. It is worth missing classes for a cooruption-free future of our country.” The teacher, Reema Behl, said the students were representing their school for a cause that would ensure a secure future for them.

A second-year BBA student of JSS Noida affiliated to the IP University, Rohit Khanduja said: “There is a difference between having an NAC headed by Sonia Gandhi and a joint committee that would be a people’s committee to make laws.”

“It is the need of the hour for people to contribute to the system of constituting laws.”

The biggest group was from the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and are expected to return to the scene of protest with 10,000 students tomorrow. Today, a group of 20 students representing the students union visited the site.

Shujatullah, a law student at AMU, said: “The civil society which is not holding any power is in touch with the grass roots and hence is most equipped to make laws for the people. The politicians are interested only in petty politics and have always maintained a distance from the common man. Even now they fail to to understand that this Bill for a Jan Lok Pal is the need of the hour and that people’s patrticipation is a must.”