City rallies behind Anna

Battle against corruption: Some fast and many furious

A 3,000-strong crowd gathered at Freedom Park to express their solidarity with the movement. Even as heavy rain pummelled the City, Bangaloreans stepped out of their colleges, offices and homes and peacefully registered their protest throughout the day.
Scores of college students took out a rally to Freedom Park.

Former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde, also a member of the civil society team, strongly condemned the pre-emptive arrest of Hazare. Minutes after the arrest of team Anna in New Delhi, Hegde encouraged more Bangaloreans, especially the youth, to join the movement.

“You are here for your future. It is the youths who have to take this movement forward. The Centre has murdered democracy by arresting Anna. The Lokpal Bill may not wipe out corruption entirely, but we have taken a step forward,” he said.

Electrifying speeches

Electrifying speeches by self-motivating citizens lifted the mood dampened by the arrested of Anna. The speeches were interspersed with patriotic songs  and sloganeering.

“We are all here by default, and I have my own doubts and reservations about this movement. It is difficult to sustain the movement until and unless it is launched at the grassroots. It needs commitment.

But, the Centre’s dictatorship has to be condemned, and that is why I am here, without anybody’s invitation,” said 76-year-old T V Kini, a Malleswaram resident.

Members of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Artistes and Film Federation, Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, representatives of various organisations and institutions joined the protests.