Anna wave grips India, people fill streets and jails

[Vehl]

Anna("means elder brother" in south Indian languages) wave grips India, people fill streets and jails

Gandhian activist Anna Hazare was arrested and jailed on Tuesday before he could launch his indefinite fast for a strong anti-corruption legislation, triggering nationwide protests that drew tens of thousands and left the government floundering. The widely condemned arrests of Hazare and his key associates crippled parliament as an otherwise divided opposition closed ranks.

"The reaction is tremendous all over India," said former Supreme Court judge Santosh Hegde in Bangalore, one of scores of cities that saw numerous small and big demonstrations in support of Hazare, a 74-year-old former soldier who has become the face of India's war on corruption."People are pouring out their anger. It is all spontaneous," said Hegde, whose scathing indictment of corruption led to the exit of Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa.

more here
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Anna-wave-grips-India-people-fill-streets-and-jails/Article1-734018.aspx

Before being detained, Hazare -- aware that he could be arrested -- said in a recorded video message: "Don't let my arrest stop this movement. This is the nation's second struggle for freedom."

The message, repeatedly broadcast on television, had an electrifying effect.

In towns and cities across India, spontaneous protests erupted. Tens of thousands took to the streets shouting slogans against the government and hailing the Gandhian.

Many in the crowds waved Indian flags as well as banners and posters of all sizes -- expressed support for Hazare. The biggest shows of solidarity were reported from New Delhi and Mumbai.

Apart from major cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Lucknow and Ahmedabad, numerous big and small protests took place in Udaipur, Jammu, Selam, Bhopal, Surat, Rajkot, Patna, Guwahati, Raipur, Shimla, Mandi, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhiwani -- and many more.

The number of arrests quickly swelled to around 1,400 all over Delhi, by official admission. Activists, however, insisted that up to 5,000 had been detained.

An old-school social activist

Anna Hazare, whose real name is Kisan Baburao, is a former soldier with a long history of campaigning. He is an old-style Indian social activist – evidenced by his spotless white clothes, the white cap, or topi, popularised by activists including Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi, and the pen in his top pocket as a marker of literacy. Hazare's vision of India is both deeply conservative and reforming.

A strictly teetotal Hindu, he has banned tobacco, meat and cable TV from the village where he lives and has campaigned against caste prejudice. Hazare also played a part in setting up India's revolutionary right to information laws. He does not have a mobile phone.

Earlier this year, his topi briefly became a sartorial icon with supporters wearing similar caps bearing the slogan "I am Anna Hazare" in English and Hindi. He is popular among the middle classes, the liberal elite and in the bigger cities.

more here
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/16/anna-hazare-arrest-india-protests

India corruption: Hundreds held over Hazare protest

On Monday, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said hunger strikes by campaigners would not help to tackle corruption.
Mr Hazare says the proposed anti-corruption ombudsman should be able to investigate any official - including the prime minister and judges.

India has recently been hit by a string of high-profile corruption scandals, including a multi-billion dollar alleged telecoms scam, alleged financial malpractices in connection with the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games and allegations that houses for war widows were diverted to civil servants.

Critics of the government say the scandals point to a pervasive culture of corruption in Mr Singh's administration. A recent survey said corruption in India cost billions of dollars and threatened to derail growth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14542053

Great news!. The Corrupt Congress party which holds power in India is finished, in the next elections. The support for Anna Hazare is tremoundous, especially in the middle class and educated segments of the Indian public/Diaspora. Amazingly, CEO's, Business Owners, IT Professionals take part and even organize these protests; segments which usually stay away from any such public displays of dissatisfaction. These protests sound the death knell of the Congress party, and is a given that the BJP will win the next election. Good riddance.

Kudos to Anna for his steadfast belief in a corruption free Nation. His calls for non-violent civil disobedience has been strictly followed by his followers, with hardly any incidence of violence or damage to property. The people have spoken, politicians cannot hide behind weak-watered down anti-corruption legislation.

[RagAss]

1. He banned tobacco...interesting... Nisargadatta ran a smoke shop if I remember correctly.

[Kaleko]

2. Recommended.

Thanks for posting.

[kentuck]

3. Wow!

Remembrances of Gandhi...

[FirstLight]

4. More of this, please

I hope and pray we can effect change in our world by following non-violent activism... and i am afraid that the majority of americans (especially) are just too damn stupid to get past the guttural response to kill first and ask questions later ...

[kentuck]

5. Yep.

True.