More than 30,000 Puneites on Thursday evening staged a massive candlelight rally to express their solidarity with Anna Hazare.
More than 30,000 Puneites on Thursday evening staged a massive candlelight rally from Balgandharva Chowk to Sarasbaug to express their solidarity with the veteran Gandhian and anti-corruption crusader, Anna Hazare.
Pune has been one of the epicentres where protests and rallies have been going on since August 16, the day Hazare was arrested by the Delhi Police before he could start his indefinite fast in support of a strong Lokpal Bill to tackle corruption. He is on fast at Tihar jail.
Thursday’s rally saw the biggest turnout so far in the city. However, traffic police said there were no major traffic disruptions due to the rally.
It started sharp at 6 pm, travelled along the busy Jungli Maharaj Road and Tilak Road before culminating at Sarasbaug. Volunteers donning India Against Corruption (IAC) T-shirts and the trademark Gandhi caps managed the crowd.
The massive crowd moved in perfect unison, raising nationalistic slogans and singing patriotic songs.
The tricolour was a common sight in this sea of humanity.
The rally saw people from all walks of life participating in large numbers. Many of the working professionals had left office early to participate in the rally.
One of the participants in the rally and a housewife, Maya Bansode, said that she completed her household chores to be a part of this historic rally.
“My husband returned early from work, so that we could participate. Our children insisted that we come for this rally,” she said.
Around 25 students of the Nivanth school for the blind travelled all the way from Tingrenagar to participate in the rally.
“It is our love of Anna that brought us to the rally. We have to support the cause for which Anna is fighting,” remarked Rahul Nalage, a student of the school.
A paraplegic, Vijay Salge, took part in the event on his mechanised tricycle.
“We have to fight corruption that is gnawing at the heart of the nation. Anna has inspired to take part in the rally,” was his reason for joining the protest.
The candles started lighting from Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya Chowk as the rally followed the leader carrying the torch.
Those entering Sarasbaug assembled in the open space behind the Ganpati temple.
Participants formed groups to singing patriotic songs. Hundreds of them sat in circles and fixed the lighted candles on the ground.
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