'Warkaris' in procession, this time for Anna

A large number of warkaris under the banner of Warkari Sampradaya Samaj, took to the streets on Tuesday and organised a bhajan procession to express solidarity with veteran Gandhian and anti-corruption crusader, Anna Hazare.

The warkaris, who belonged to various ‘sampradayas’, started processions from different parts of the city at 5 pm and met at Deccan Gymkhana, from where they went to Shaniwarwada. The procession culminated on Karve Road.

One of the warkaris, Sunil Ghadge, said the procession was taken out to support Hazare in his fight to implement the Jan Lokpal Bill. “We are tired of being at the receiving end of corruption throughout our lives. Our agitation is to convey that such tyrannies in the system won’t be accepted any more,” said Jayashree

Kamble, a warkari from Natawadi.

The warkaris are irked about the non-implementation of the Jan Lokpal Bill and the dominance of corruption in the system. “Corruption is there everywhere. Today even in places like hospitals and morgues, bribery seems to be the only option. This bribery in the system needs to come to an end,” said Abhishek Jeur, a warkari.

The warkaris also carried out their agitation outside jailed Pune MP Suresh Kalmadi’s house in Erandwane. He has been arrested in the Commonwealth Games scam.

“We demand Kalmadi’s resignation. It is because of him that Pune is seen in bad light when one speaks about corruption,” said another warkari, Machhindra Kamble.