Anna’s call for ‘India’s Second Freedom Struggle’ has started today morning when veteran Gandhian activist and anti corruption crusader Anna Hazare was arrested and eventually sent to Tihar Jail for seven days’ judicial custody by Delhi Police to prevent him from going ahead with his protest. Along with him Arvind Kejriwal, Manoj Sisodia, were also sent to judicial custody in Tihar Jail on similar grounds. Police released Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhusan after 10 hours of detention.
Before going to jail Anna requested people to come out from home and protest peacefully for “jail bharo” agitation.
The biggest irony of the decade is that this anti corruption campaigner will have to share space in Tihar jail with A Raja and Suresh Kalmadi both accused in high-profile scams.
Hours before Anna was to launch his fast against corruption Delhi police came and detained him from Mayur Vihar where Anna was staying and where there was no article ‘144’ was imposed. Government is not able to give proper justification of his arrest and therefore the anger among the people is growing unprecedented.
Thousands of supporters across the country are gathering and started protesting against government’s ‘anti-democratic’ and ‘unconstitutional’ act and demanding immediate release of Anna Hazare and other activists. People are comparing the situation with the ‘Emergency Period’ in 70s. Across PAN India one slogan only can be heard today on the roads ‘Aage bado Anna ji..hum aapke sath hain’.
Not only outside parliament the protest had also seen inside the parliament as well when all opposition parties demanded clarifications and condemned government’s action. Both houses adjourned due to chaos.
Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj openly threaten panic government by demanding Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s explanation tomorrow and if PM not give any satisfactory reason then she said collectively opposition will take harsh action and may even consider boycotting parliament. BJP, CPM, CPI, SP, JU all have demanded immediate release of Anna.
The agitation is now growing fiercely and spreading to all sections of lives. It is interesting to see how UPA 2 is going to handle this crisis when their leader Sonia Gandhi is not in the country due to her illness.
It is clearly evident that government is losing its grip in addressing the issue properly. Media is severely and openly criticizing government’s decision of arresting Anna Hazare and sent him to Tihar Jail. Media has marked it as ‘stupid’ and ‘suicidal’.
Anna also getting supports from Bollywood. The actors, filmmakers are coming openly and criticizing government’s move through twitter.
Veteran actor and producer Anupam Kher said, “Anna Hazare, Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal arrested even before they reach JP park. Saddest day for Indian Democracy.”
Bipasha Basu Twits “Anna Hazare needs to be supported to kill the ‘Demon’ called ‘Corruption’ that is eating up our Country”
Shabana Azmi tweets, “We condemn the arrest of Anna Hazare and his team and the ban on the proposed fast. Right to protest peacefully is a democratic right.”
Farhan Akhtar wrote, “The Indian citizen has the right to protest peacefully. Anna’s arrest is unconstitutional and shows symptoms of an authoritarian mindset.”
Javed Akhtar tweets, “I have had certain reservations about Anna’s method but his arrest can not be condoned. It is undemocratic ,unacceptable.”
