No one had anticipated the extent of country wide support for Anna Hazare and his crusade against corruption. Within hours of the news of his arrest breaking on the networks, spontaneous protests broke out all over the country including Goa leaving the government open mouthed at the national demonstration.
When television channels brought news of his arrest at 7.30 am in Delhi, there was outrage and anger at the government’s high handedness even amongst people who had reservations on his method of protest. And the government once again revealed its political immaturity in handling the campaign.
Anna in his address to the nation on Monday had urged his supporters not to resort to violence. "If you take to violence, it will take this government minutes to crush you," he had said. As Anna was whisked away by the police, Delhi rediscovered Gandhigiri when the protestors shunned from raining the police with their favourite weapon- the stone.
Instead chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” rang through the air embodied the spirit of the new age Indian protestor. The Delhi police too had a tough task because they had to tackle irate protestors all over the city instead of at the single place of arrest.
Far away from the fast-moving developments in Delhi, people from all walks of life took to the streets spontaneously, in rain and shine, not just in the metros but even in smaller towns. Everywhere, the protesters denounced the government and chanted slogans demanding a stronger Lokpal Bill.
The fact that Anna had been lodged in Tihar's Jail, the same building in which CWG scam accused Suresh Kalmadi is also lodged, seemed to many an insult to injury. "Democracy had been murdered," was the common refrain across the country, as protesters swelled in numbers. Candlelight processions were taken out in the evening in several metros.
The government has been caught with its back against the wall and there seems to be nobody bold enough to take a decision. The Prime Minister has become a mute spectator and has shunned the press and media. And as expected the Congress High Command which emerges every time credit is to be taken for achievements is conspicuous by its absence.
Party spokespersons are making ribald statements and then realizing that they have put their foot in their mouths are quietly withdrawing from the scene. The only alternative left with the Congress is to resign en-mass and call for reelections or accept Anna Hazare’s version of the Lokpal Bill.
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