Even on a rain-drenched day, a queue of people stood in front of the makeshift helpdesk at Azad Maidan to sign the petition for the Jan Lokpal Bill.
A roar went up in the 500-odd crowd that had gathered at Azad Maidan in the pouring rain as an India Against Corruption (IAC) volunteer declared Anna Hazare's victory in forcing the government to agree to discuss his three features for the Jan Lokpal Bill.
Speaking on the mobile phone to IAC co-ordinator Mayank Gandhi from Delhi, Naresh Thakur, IAC co-ordinator told the crowd: "The news is good; all our three demands have been met. The Congress and the BJP have agreed to include the three provisions in the bill. They are not ready to give an undertaking in writing that they will include the three provisions. Annaji has said that he will not break his fast till the government gives an undertaking in writing.”
Soon, he added: The government has agreed to pass a written resolution this evening itself." Many of the hunger strikers stood up on the stage and there were a few folded palms thanking god for the outcome.
The next instant, there was another announcement: 'The Congress and the BJP have agreed to pass the resolution by voice vote. We can celebrate now.'
Dhirajbhai Rambhia of Tarun Mitra Mandal, a Jain community group that provided volunteers and managed facilities at the protest venue said, "This agitation is a warning to the government that people will allow themselves to be taken for granted. Even the improved debates in parliament are an outcome of this agitation."
Even on a rain-drenched day, a queue of people stood in front of the makeshift helpdesk at Azad Maidan to sign the petition for the Jan Lokpal Bill.
The volunteers at the counter have no way of keeping a count of the number of signatures and telephone numbers put on the sheets of paper.
But based on an estimate of at least 10,000 signatures a day, they estimate that at least 1,00,000 have signed the demand for the Jan Lokpal Bill at Azad Maidan since August 16, the first day of the protest.
The papers are sent to the India Against Corruption (IAC) office.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}