Mumbai lines up street programmes against corruption

Citizens, celebrities and students living on the Juhu-Versova stretch have decided to give their own spin to the ongoing anti-corruption drive in the country.

Over the next few days, the locality will host several street programmes, including rallies, candlelight vigils, plays and musical concerts, to generate awareness about corruption and to find ways to contain the problem. “The idea is to initiate dialogue about corruption and sustain it till a solution is arrived at,” said activist-filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, who is one of the organisers.

The drive will be kicked off on Saturday afternoon with a peace march at Juhu, where thousands are expected to participate. “It’s high time we stopped paying lip service to the cause from the comforts of our air-conditioned homes and offices. Now is the perfect opportunity to spill out on the streets,” said actor-filmmaker Shashi Ranjan.

The organisers are hoping that more and more people join the movement eventually. “Anna Hazare and Azad Maidan should not be the only symbols of protest. There is a Hazare in each of us, and we should create an Azad Maidan in our own neighbourhoods,” Ranjan added.

Plans are also afoot to involve the youth in cultural and musical progammes to be held at Juhu beach or at the several parks dotting the vicinity. “Like-minded people are being roped in for a democratic and peaceful campaign,” said educationist Ajay Kaul.

Social activist Hansel Dsouza is planning to build momentum by initiating a ‘Jail Bharo’ campaign on April 12. “This will be a fight to the finish in a democratic manner,” he said. “All we are asking for is a joint committee to monitor the crooks in governance. It should consist of government officials and members from civil society. The chairperson should be neutral and not from a political party.”