Support pours for Anna from across the country .

Note: Anna’s health is fine. However Anna and his team is not being given access to TV and Anna his mobile phone. Even though the police claim he is free now. 

Anna continues his indefinite fast in Tihar jail for the introduction of Jan Lokpal Bill in parliament. Let this be reiterated that the demand for holding fast at JP park or Ramlila Maidan is not the central issue, as the indefinite fast is just a means to an end. The end objective, which thousands of people on the streets also demand is a strong anti-corruption law – the Jan Lokpal Bill. We request Jan Lokpal Bill to be tabled in the parliament as we realise that Standing Committee cannot alter the scope of presently tabled government’s Lokpal Bill much. Besides, the recommendations of standing committee are not binding on the government. Therefore even through the present parliamentary course of action, it does not seem that a fair discussion on the Lokpal Bill issue will be possible. Thus Anna’s demand for indefinite fast stands, that the Jan Lokpal Bill should also be tabled in the parliament.

We condemn statements repeated often that we want the ‘my way or the high way’, or that we are stubborn. Rather we feel that the reverse is true. It is the government which is insisting on ‘my way or the highway’, completely ignoring the opinion of the public which has descended the streets in support of Shri Anna Hazare and the Jan Lokpal Bill.

We have tried to compile the events which have been pouring from across the country:

We would like to re-affirm that though the media coverage is mainly of the capital city and Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore etc, but this movement is rooted in villages as well.

· Rakesh Tikait, son of Mahendra Singh Tikait musters support for Anna in his villages. Rakesh Tikait: 92196 66799, Ravinder: 9212396525. Panchayats of Haryana, Balyan Khap, Sindoliya, Sheoran Khap, Amran Khap are supporting, the press notes from these forwarded by Sanjeev Balothia: 9992059319. Sanjay Swami, a sarpanch in Mahendragarh is working in their village. Vikas Sharma – 9992999926

· Indian Medical Association expresses support of its 2.25 lakh doctors. More than 100 doctors visited Azad Maidan. Various rallies in and across Mumbai besides Azad Maidan –please call for media enquiries of Mumbai: Piyush – 9820687670

· Farmers from nearing villages of Bhatta Parsaul assembled at Pari Chowk in Greater Noida to express support

· Panipat district Bar Association had strike from courts, Panipat markets association held strike. Contact for more information: Arvind Kumar – 98124 66488,

· People in Ambedkar nagar, UP held rallies and were fasting, but removed by Police – Rajiv Yadav: 9450881584

· IIT Roorkee, students agitating and Proffessor sitting on fast – Sahil Jain: 8800649194, 9557108385

· Extensive protest in Assam, across district library of Guwahati, more than hundreds of people are in arrest. Gautam – 9435548496

· Marches in Port Blair, from cellular jail to Gandhi statue – Contact: 9830789327

· Thousands of people gathered at all the gates of Tihar Jail in Delhi. People are pouring in outside the Jail chanting slogans and waving the Tricolour. Around 10,000 people have surrounded the prison area and have gathered near all the gates.

· An overwhelming crowd participated in the rally from India Gate to Jantar Mantar which was led by Kiran Bedi, Swami Agnivesh and Manish Sisodia. Rough estimates suggest around a 70,000 people took the protest march.

· At Chhatrasaal Stadium, around 1200 people are still inside the premises, as they refused to leave till Anna is released, while about 2500 people are protesting outside. Around 60 people who courted arrest were taken yesterday to Shivaji Stadium. They faced difficulties today as the gates were sealed and there were no facilities for them. Around 24 people protested today at JP Park and courted arrested as section 144 has been imposed there. These people were taken to Rajendra Nagar Police station and were released at 6 pm.

· In Mumbai, people from all walks of life came out in support of Anna Hazare, about 40,000 people gathered for the Azad Maidan rally.

· Indian Medical Association, Mumbai branch which has over 2.5 lakh members has expressed full support to Anna’s movement. Around 100 senior doctors today came to Azad Maidan. Around 2000 lawyers also took part in the rally.

· In Bangalore’s Freedom Park, an overwhelming crowd of 60,000 people gathered in support of the anti-corruption movement. Around 10, 000 students took out a Peace March for 6 kms from Jaynagar to Freedom Park. A candle March also took place in the evening.

· In Uttar Pradesh, thousands of college students in Sultanpur boycotted classes and came out on the streets to protest. Teachers also took leave from colleges. In Lucknow people assembled at Jhulelal Park and took out marches.

SUPPORT ANNA HAZARE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY. THIS IS THE TIME TO BRING THE CHANGE.

INVITE MORE PEOPLE. JOIN PROTEST IN YOUR CITY.

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Anna’s message to countrymen.

On the eve of Anna’s proposed indefinite fast he called upon the people of the country to come and join him in the fight against corruption. He questioned the relevance of the Independence that our freedom fighters achieved after several sacrifices, when millions in this country are still dying of starvation. He assured that if the Jan lokpal comes then 60-65 percent of corruption will be eradicated. 

He said the purpose of the protest is not to bring down any govt, the system needs to be changed not the govt. He said if he is not allowed to protest and is arrested, the countrymen should be ready for ‘Jail Bharo’. He appealed the people to come out on the streets and protest peacefully and not to resort to any sort of violence, not cause inconvenience to public or damage public or private property.
He said the common man is suffering from rising food prices because of black marketing and hoarding and the government is still not listening to common man’s voice. He said national natural resources are being exploited and the money is going to capitalists. Farmers’ lands are being snatched from and is going to brokers and builders, isn’t it corruption? Anna said lot of students are coming out in support of Jan Lokpal because they are also suffering because of corruption. People with money manage to secure seats in collges while deserving students do not get admission. He said it is the young generation’s support that gives him hope that the corrupt system will change. He expressed confidence that Jan Lokpal will be a reality and he is ready to forsake his life for the country.
Meanwhile, in a clear violation of our constitutional right to peacefully protest, the government has denied Anna Hazare the permission to hold indefinite fast at JP Park, which initially was proposed by Delhi Police itself. The reason which the Delhi Police has cited to allow us to protest at Jay Prakash Narayan Park is not accepting 6 unconstitutional conditions they have put in the 22 point undertaking. Delhi police was given an undertaking on all the lawful provisions they had sought. Out of the 22, undertaking was given on 16 provisions. We mention below the 6 provisions which we refused to accept and why:
- a guarantee that not more than 50 vehicles will be parked. while parking area can accommodate many more vehicles.
- that not more than 5000 people will gather although the capacity of the park is in excess of 20,000.
- the protest will be for only three days, while we have sought indefinite.
- there will be no tent or protection for the assembly of people, this will make it extremely uncomfortable for the public, should there be rainfall or other severe weather conditions, that wish to join the protest
- that a government doctor will examine Anna to decide whether he is in danger and needs to be taken away. We want an independent doctor to continuously examine Anna, as was done during the fast in April.
- That there will be no loudspeaker or amplified audio facilities. This would put a large crowd in danger, as no instructions can be given to maintain order in case too many people gather.
We reject these conditions as they are a clear violation of our fundamental rights.
One more reason they cited was that we do not have the permission from the land owning agency, while when they agreed upon the venue the Police itself had assured us that they will help us getting the permission from CPWD.
Anna said the fast will go on as planned and that if he is stopped from holding a peaceful protest at the venue he will court arrest.

SUPPORT ANNA HAZARE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY.

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Time for Change is here

Everyone strives to live life on his own terms but is forced by circumstances to pick an opinion that is least detrimental to his comfort. Upheavals in life are as uncomfortable as is a daily ride on a bumpy road! One would choose a hovercraft instead of a car and wouldn’t be blamed for it.

People work more towards maintaining the status quo of ‘harmony’ and less towards trying to get to the bottom of the problem that makes them miserable. More often than not our priorities at any given moment define our reaction to an event. Does that make us a hypocrite?  Oh no, not the least.  We cannot practice everything we preach every single time. We humans do let prudence rule over emotions most of the time. We may believe in many things that are right but self preservation makes us do just the opposite when our interests are at stake.

It is not easy to stand up and protest against injustice, and if you do, chances are that you become the person who is accused of disturbing the harmony of the family/society.

To stand up and protest needs character.  It needs a firm conviction that tells you that you will settle for nothing less. It needs tremendous belief to work towards an end seen only by you. It could lead to an upheaval in the routine of life that we wrap around ourselves like a security blanket. Are you up to it? Most aren’t, I guess!

“We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.” said Sonia Johnson, an American feminist activist. We have a great movement going on in India. A small group of activists, who have a vision of a corruption free India, are fighting a battle that has been aptly called ‘The Second Freedom Struggle’.

“Change means movement. Movement means friction. Only in the frictionless vacuum of a nonexistent abstract world can movement or change occur without that abrasive friction of conflict” says Saul Alinsky. This movement promises upheaval of giant proportions in lives of all Indians for we have got used to paying bribes and taking them too. A kickback to us Indians is just a kickback; we don’t care unless it’s our back that is being kicked! All this has to change. Old habits are hard to break but broken they must be. The giver of bribes is as much to be blamed as the taker. A giver prefers to go on with his life as if nothing else matters but his smooth movement through shark infected waters where feeding the sharks is the only way he moves on unhindered. It has become a game, and one-upmanship the only means up the social ladder. Where have all the morals gone? Has success and money become the only goal?

In my interactions with those around me, it has dawned on me that people perceive those who are not world-wise in the art of ‘give ‘n’ take’ as simpletons; and those who do, savvy role-models. The hype around politicians, businessmen, God-men and government employees, even though everyone knows them to be dishonest, is downright shameful. Have we become a nation that has forgotten to speak up against evil? This has to change for sure.

The change has to begin at home, in classrooms, on the streets and in the marketplace. The patriarchal hierarchy and the boss-chaila pseudo-mannerisms have eaten into our cultural behaviour so much so that people are wary of speaking their minds.

Children should be taught to stand up for what they believe, to speak-out without fear in front of people. Indian culture, with its emphasis on respect for those older, stronger or richer, has ingrained in most of us the etiquettes of a ‘nodding yes minister’. We appreciate a smart talking toddler but fall short of acknowledging a teenager with a mind of her/his own. We fail to see that a creative mind has a need to break free from the ‘rules for harmony’ society has set for itself.

We adults need to grow up. We need to grow with the times. We need to grow up for our children so that India of the future is full of dynamic freethinking assertive sensitive humane Indians, and not merely a collection of citizen who know how to follow instructions.

Time for Change is here whether you like it or not.

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