Hundreds of supporters of veteran social worker, Anna Hazare, gathered at Azad Maidan on the third consecutive day. On Thursday, the message was ‘Pehno Safed patti, Karo Corruption se katti.’
There is a new movement gearing up in the city against corruption — the ‘white band moment.’ Hundreds of supporters of veteran social worker, Anna Hazare, gathered at Azad Maidan on the third consecutive day. On Thursday, the message was ‘Pehno Safed patti, Karo Corruption se katti.’
Organisers of India against Corruption (IAC) movement have been on dharna at Azad Maidan since the past three days, supporting Hazare’s indefinite fast in Delhi till the government proves its commitment to fighting corruption with a powerful new law — the Jan Lokpal Bill or Citizen’s Ombudsman Bill.
On Thursday, it was time to come out of Azad Maidan and to reach out to the masses. The activists, who came from all walks of life, were divided into 19 groups. The people marched silently, distributing pamphlets and waving the Indian flag. They wore a white band and gave one to onlookers, asking for solidarity with Hazare and the entire anti-corruption movement.
The groups, wearing a ‘Gandhi cap’ which said ‘I am Anna Hazare’, visited all the major spots in South Mumbai including Fort, Chira Bazar, IT office, Bombay Stock Exchange, General Post Office (GPO), Masjid Bander, Churchgate station, World Trade Centre and Mantralaya.
“This is great. I am not from any organisation. What I am witnessing right now is beyond my imagination. Yes, I do support the movement,” said Christopher Fernandez, who runs an event management firm.
Swati Kale came along with her other female colleagues, leaving early from her office which in Fort. “I am not marching with these groups. But I feel there is nothing wrong in extending my support by just coming here. I do not follow politics much, but from what I have read and seen, majority of them are corrupt,” she said.
Mayank Gandhi of IAC appealed to the supporters to fight for the nation. “We are not here only for Anna or for Jan Lokpal Bill. We are here for our nation. The nation needs to be cleaned up. We are here to do that,” he said.
The activities will continue on Friday, as the organisers have given a call to the citizens to carry out candle marches at 6pm outside every railway station, as a sign of support to Hazare’s demand.
It was also declared that April 12 will be marked as a ‘Jail Bharo day’. “There is no shame in going to jail for such a noble cause. I appeal all those who have supported Anna till now to come out in large numbers and to be arrested, if the situation calls for,” said Anil Joseph, vice-president, Bombay Catholic Sabha.
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