Hoping to save their lands, farmers flock to Hazare

Given the large area over which carpets were spread for Anna Hazare’s supporters in Jantar Mantar, a crowd running into several thousands was expected for the protest against the land acquisition ordinance. However, not more than 2,000-3,000 supporters turned up at the venue.

Those who did, however, showed enthusiasm by waving the national flag and cheering the speakers who recited poetry, sang songs and delivered spirited speeches.

A group of farmers from Noida arrived accompanied with a large drum as they took turns to create music. “All my land has been snatched away and I did not receive a penny. I will create enough noise to draw the country’s attention to my loss,” said a farmer Sardar Bhagat Singh who claimed to have learnt drumming from his grandfather.

Wearing “Anna Supporter” caps, several of those gathered went about volunteering. Bhagwan Das Dube, a painter by profession, had come from Noida. Carrying paint and brush in his hands, he went about painting the national flag on protesters’ faces for free. “They built a road on my land but did not give me any money,” he told Deccan Herald.

The protesters arrived at Jantar Mantar armed with gas cylinders and utensils. Potato, vegetable and pooris were on the menu as hundreds of supporters were fed. The Delhi Jal Board had set up a couple of water tankers for the protesting farmers who had mostly arrived from across north and central India.

While the farmers sat patiently at the venue, the real action was visible on the stage meant for speakers. Two stages were set up for farmers. While one was occupied by Hazare and his two attendants, leaders jostled for space on the other stage.

“There are too many people on the stage. It might collapse. Those who are gathering here only for clicking photographs, please come one by one,” a speaker announced.

Given the large number of people wanting to address the crowd, almost no one was allotted more than a couple of minutes.