Azad Maidan, the focal point of the agitation in Mumbai, witnessed angry speeches by volunteers, some of whom had to be calmed down by fellow campaigners
As the Centre blew hot and cold on Friday over the Jan Lokpal Bill, volunteers and supporters of India Against Corruption (IAC) — the organisation leading the campaign for the bill — are agitated.
Azad Maidan, the focal point of the agitation in Mumbai, witnessed angry speeches by volunteers, some of whom had to be calmed down by fellow campaigners who asked them not to direct diatribes against individual politicians or political parties.
Some speakers talked of a second ‘civil disobedience’ movement to force the government to come down from its arrogant position on the issue.
“We are already making preparations for a mass civil disobedience movement and have asked educational institutions and offices to shut down if necessary,” said a volunteer.
Naresh Thakur, a city coordinator of IAC, said volunteers were depressed.
“Everybody is feeling let down. We do not know what is going on; the government is denying the people’s mandate,” said Thakur.
Bhushan Jadhav, another coordinator of the agitation said that young people, among the most vociferous supporters of the anti-graft campaign, are angry.
“The government has been changing its views. On Thursday, the Prime Minister said he respected Anna Hazare. The next day, Rahul Gandhi says a Lokpal Bill will not end corruption. Even we are aware that a Jan Lokpal Act will not get rid of corruption, but it will at least be the first step in rooting out corruption,” said Jadhav.
Mayank Gandhi, one of the key team members of IAC in Mumbai, summed up the feeling among volunteers and supporters. “There is confusion whether we should celebrate or get angry. Nobody knows what is happening.”
Much of the anger at Azad Maidan was directed against the Congress’s Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi who spoke in the house on Friday.
“The government is trying to confuse people; they want to tire them down so that the movement fizzles out. They do not understand that it is making people angrier,” said Thakur.
For a movement that has attracted lakhs of people, the agitation has been free of violence. Volunteers are wondering whether this will continue.
“Some young people are ready to take the movement to a stage where it is no longer a peaceful protest, but we do not want that,” added Thakur.
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