Gandhi Square turns into 'Ramlila Maidan'

Men dressed as mythological characters, medicos forming human chain, ABVP continuing with its motorcycle rally, school and college students hitting streets again...

Even as social crusader Anna Hazare sat on fast at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, Gandhi Square the venue of protest demonstrations here rose to the occasion, adding strength to the cause.

It began with the students of D Banumaiah Educational Institutions flocking at the square in large numbers, followed by Lions School, Bannimantap, Maharaja’s and Maharani’s, Vidya Vardhaka and the activists of All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO). According to an estimate, all put together they were nearly 1,500 in numbers.

Placards held by the students of Lions School drew attention of many. They read as follows — ‘Bhrashtacharakke Dhikkara, Anna Hazarege Jaikara’ (oppose corruption, support Anna Hazare), ‘Pose Corruption Bill and dispose corruption bill’, ‘Save India from corruption’, ‘Banni bhrashtacharakkagi virodhisi, ondagi kai jodisi horadona’ (come lets join to fight corruption and struggle unitedly) to mention a few.

Inspiration

Seemingly inspired by the students of Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts (CAVA) who turned their body into canvas adding a touch of colour to the agitation, the members of Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Fans Association, from Mandi Mohalla, took to a similar act. Three in the lead were dressed as Yama, Lord Shiva and Chitragupta. A placard cautioning the corrupt said it all. They were the cynosure of all eyes with the passersby having a glimpse of the artistic rally that went around the square.

The students of nearby Government Ayurveda Medical College took out a rally from Sayyaji Rao Road. They formed a human chain at the protest venue before dispersing. Clad in apron, they resembled a bunch of do-gooders committed to diagnose ills of the society. On the other hand, various college students took out a two-wheeler rally under the banner of ABVP from Mahatma Gandhi’s bust opposite Law Court’s complex on Vani Vilasa road.

Patriotism

Patriotic songs rendered by a section of protesters instilled sense of patriotism among the gathering, who are staging symbolic dharna under the banner of India Against Corruption, with Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) a NGO taking the lead since the day Anna decided to go on hunger stir on August 16.

Unlike previous days, the city traffic police diverted the traffic from entering the road leading to the square from Ashoka road and Chandragupta road, erecting barricades near Doddagadiyaara.