Cricket for once takes a backseat as city denizens too, go on an indefinite fast
Anna Hazare... hum tumhare saath hai', bandh karo bandh karo... brashtachar bandh karo' are a few of the slogans that echoed in the city all through the day as thousands took to the streets to support Anna Hazare's fast unto death for the Jan Lokpal Bill.
Even before sunrise, hundreds of activists, former civil servants, businessmen and youngsters gathered at Jalvihar in Necklace road and took a rally raising slogans against corruption. Many who were not a part of any civil rights organizations voluntarily turned up.
Post this march, many headed to Dharna Chowk in Indira Park where thousands gathered for a hunger strike. Film personalities too, were present at the rally. Directors Sekhar Kammula and Radhakrishna along with actors RaNa Daggubati, Kamal Kamaraju and Krishank sat at the Dharna Chowk all day and took a pledge that they will not vote for any party that doesn't support Jan Lokpal Bill.
"I made "Leader" which was about corruption. It made people think but couldn't create mass euphoria. This movement is unprecedented. I have not seen such response from youngsters before. People thought India cannot change. This movement has proved them wrong and we owe it toAnna Hazare for awakening us," Sekhar Kammula said. He also fasted all day with the protesting students.
RaNa who made an entry at 11 am, spoke emotionally at the rally. He said this was a rare opportunity for citizens to pressurize the government and make the most of it. "Anna is fighting for us and our future. We must not give up. We should fight until the Bill is passed. Where there is corruption, there is no scope for development. This Bill can stem corruption and we need it now," he said as the audience clapped and cheered him.
Radhakrishna, who learnt of the dharna came in and sat all day too. He says he has been seeing corruption since childhood and nothing has been done about it. "Corruption is the root cause for the death of the farmers, increase of terrorism and poverty. We don't have strong laws to nab corrupt netas and bureaucrats.We need a change in law. Anna Hazare is a selfless human being and I am here to support such a noble cause."
Kamal Kamaraju: The actor gave an inspiring speech and demanded the government to bring in 'None of the above' as one of the options for the voters during elections because no politician is clean these days. "Scam after scam happens and we remain quiet. I came all the way from Delhionce to vote during elections. I realized after four years that he is corrupt. What can I do? We need 'none of the above' as one of the options in the ballot paper or EVMs to lodge our protest," he said.
Jaya: Director Jaya who came early in the morning agrees, "Everyone knows there is corruption and yet we are helpless. This Bill will help us expose the traitors of the nation. The fact that this Bill didn't get passed means politicos are all hand-in-glove. This public outcry will change things, hopefully. I am here to lend my support."
Raja Reddy: Retired senior cop, who was at the march says, "I was transferred 28 times in my 33 years of service just because I was honest. This Bill must pass. It will expose thousands of politicians who prey on public money. They must be humiliated and their properties must be seized," he said.
K Siddharth: Documentary filmmaker K Siddharth says, "We are making a documentary on public movement against corruption. We have created an Internet profile against corruption and also to male people aware of this rally. The response has been tremendous."
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