Saturday, August 27, 2011

Supporters gather at Ramlila Maidan; Anna to end fast

Hundreds of supporters have started descending at the historic Ram Lila Maidan in New Delhi, where anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare will break his 12 day-long fast at 10am on Sunday. After 12 days that had India on the edge, Anna Hazare is poised to end his fast,
capping a day of highs and lows that saw a historic Parliament debate a possible anti-corruption legislation that ended with the broad acceptance of key demands of the social reformer.

The eight-hour debate, called on a weekend, saw parliamentarians pack both houses to dissect an issue that has held the nation in thrall since Aug 16, when 74-year-old Hazare began his fast for a strong bill to have a Lokpal institution to tackle pervasive corruption, prompting tens of thousands of people across the country take to the streets and bringing the government virtually to its knees.

Around 4,000 people stayed overnight at the protest venue while hundreds of others have started arriving early in the morning.

"I started at around 5 am as I wanted to ensure that I could be in the front row, so that I could witness Anna breaking his fast," said 37-year-old Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Ghaziabad who claims to be a die-hard Anna supporter.

There is a festive atmosphere at the ground, as people are singing and dancing to the tune of drums and celebrating "victory" of Hazare.

Another supporter Vijay Gupta, who had come along with his family from Lucknow said, he was "happy to be part of history in making."

"I am extremely happy that the government has conceded to the demand of Anna Hazare, the corruption is affecting everybody in the society and we want a very strong Lokpal Bill," he said amid chanting of slogans.

Meanwhile, heavy deployment of police personnel have been made in and around the venue.

People are hoisting flags and chanting slogans making the atmosphere festive and jubilant.

Demanding passing of Janlokpal Bill by the Parliament, Hazare went on fast from August 16.

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