Even as social crusader Anna Hazare launched his three-day fast in Mumbai on Tuesday, members of Mysore Against Corruption (MAC) staged a dharna here at Gandhi Square.
The activists, led by Dr R Balasubramaniam of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), staged a peaceful sit-in protest demonstration for nine hours from morning 9.30. Like Anna, MAC too has decided to protest for three days, starting from Tuesday.
The activists supported Anna demanding the Centre to implement the Bill in toto as drafted by the Anna-led core committee. They urged the government to form a special team of officers for investigation under the Bill. Besides, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should be freed from political interventions and instead should be brought under its (Lokpal) ambit, they demanded.
According to the Lokpal Bill drafted by the Centre, soon after the preliminary investigations by the Lokpal, the case would be referred to the CBI. The activists alleged that the CBI has become a puppet in the hands of the Central government and a separate investigating agency would be the solution.
The Bill proposed by the Centre is toothless. Efforts are being made to derail the fight for the Bill launched by Anna, the activists alleged.
President of Karnataka State Sugar Cane Growers Association Kurbur Shanthakumar, president of Mysore Grahakara Parishat S G Vombatkere met Balasubramaniam later in the day and extended their support to the agitation.
Members of MAC Vasantkumar Mysoremath, Dr Bindu Balasubramaniam, Vidya Narayan, Shivaji Rao and others were present.
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