Finally, the cribbing about the lack of crowd for Team Anna’s campaign can be laid aside for some time as Sunday saw several families participating in the indefinite protest along with children and elders. Since July 25, India Against Corruption campaigners have been protesting at the Freedom Park; however, compared to last year, the number of those attending has been low. Yet, hundreds participated on Sunday.
“We want to attend the protest, but it is not practically possible to be here everyday. Today is Sunday, my parents, wife and children have accompanied me. We support the cause that Anna is fighting and so do many who have not been able to make it to the venue,” said Ashish Surana, a businessman from Jayanagar.
Former Lok Ayukta Santosh Hegde who is leading the fight against corruption in Bengaluru, met in the afternoon with the City Sikh Association members. He also attended prayers at the gurudwara.
Earlier in his speech, Justice Santosh Hegde criticised the statement by Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid who had asked Team Anna to approach the United Nations for redressal of their grievances, as their allegations have been rejected by the Supreme Court. “What does the minister mean? Thousands in this country have been protesting about the Lok Pal bill. We all are Indians here and we are free. Should we not fight against corruption? They want to protect corruption and do not care for the people,” said Mr Hegde. He added, “In the freedom struggle days, our leaders went to jail for a noble cause. But today, leaders are jailed for their wrongdoing.”
In his speech, IAC volunteer and urban expert Ashwin Mahesh noted that leaders have forgotten that they are answerable to people. “We have been protesting, and they are not listening. We want to tell them that it is the people who have elected them; if they do not pass the bill, they can be sure of not getting elected the next time,” said Mr Mahesh.