Ralegan-Siddhi comes to Anna Hazare's support

The sense of outrage that has gripped the nation over the arrest of Anna Hazare was felt just as strongly in Ralegan-Siddhi which is home to the Gandhian crusader.

At least 150 women and 200 men, including school boys and girls, from Hazare’s village Ralegan Siddhi courted arrest on Tuesday  in protest of Hazare’s arrest in New Delhi. As news of Hazare’s arrest reached his village situated 75km north of Pune, the villagers took out a rally through the village and then decided to block the Ralegan-Parner state road.

Bullock carts were used to create a large circle and the villagers, both young and old, congregated in the circle shouting slogans in support of Hazare. Police inspector Sunil Shivarkar of Parner police station said that 603 villagers from Ralegan Siddhi  were arrested for blocking the road. He added that the villagers were detained at the Parner police station for two hours before being released.

Several local school teachers and senior villagers who spoke on the occasion complimented the villagers for observing a fast and supporting Anna.

Speaking to DNA, Anna’s younger brother Maruti, 65, who was also participating in the agitation, said, “The government has shown themselves in poor light by arresting Anna.”