JOIN US Chanchal Sharma, a resident of Noida, was stopped by her parents from taking part in the indefinite fast held by Team Anna against corruption. The 23-year-old, however, rebelled against the diktat and has been fasting at Jantar Mantar for what she thinks is a good cause.
Chanchal calls her action as a "baghavat" (revolt) against her family but has no regrets as she wants to do something for the society and country.
“My parents were against me taking part in all these activities but I was firm that I want to support Anna Hazareji’s fight against corruption. I revolted and came here on my own without telling my parents and will sit on fast till we manage to get the Jan Lokpal bill passed,” Chanchal, who was wearing a white salwar suit, told IANS at the fast venue.
"I have stopped taking calls of my parents for they would only ask me to come back, which I won’t," says Chanchal, a science graduate who has applied for lecturership in a government college and is hopeful of getting a job soon.
There are 350 people from across the country sitting on indefinite fast with Team Anna members - Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai - demanding an independent inquiry into corruption charges against 15 cabinet ministers and enactment of a strong anti-corruption law.
“Of the 350 people, about 40 percent are in the age group of 20-35 years. We are really happy to see so many youngsters supporting the movement for they will carry this movement ahead,” said a Team Anna volunteer, looking after the fasting people.
Rupraj, a resident of Vaishali in Bihar, left home on the pretext of finding a job and landed here to support Team Anna.
"I have been taking part in Team Anna protest since they started. Earlier, I used to come for two-three days but this time I decided to join the indefinite fast. When I told this to my parents, they got angry and started shouting at me," said the 21-year-old, who has just completed his graduation.
Asked how he managed to come to Delhi then, Rupraj said: "I told them I am going for a job interview and they happily agreed. I am not taking any phone calls from my family members and will go back only after it is over."
For these youngsters it was the passion for giving something to society and the country that made them rebel at home.
"I listened to my heart and decided to come here despite my family expressing unhappiness. I think this is a golden chance, when we all together can uproot corruption from our system... I want to become part of this historic movement," said Pawan Kumar, a property dealer from Ghaziabad.
The 25-year-old is hopeful that his movement will help in removing corruption in India.
Many other youth participants at Jantar Mantar have been skipping classes to join the protest.
"I had bunked classes to hang out with friends or to catch a movie so many times but this time I am doing it for a noble cause. Of course, my parents don’t know about it and I don't mind," reveals Sujata, an engineering student.