It's Anna all the way at marbat-badgya

NAGPUR: In keeping with tradition of representing current themes, it was Anna Hazare all the way at the historic marbat-badgya procession, a 150-year-old unique feature of Nagpur.

On Monday, marbat-badgyas festivity organized on the occasion of 'Tanha Pola', didn't meant just fun, frolic and masti but focused on the issue of corruption. Thousands of participants welcomed the procession with slogans like 'Vande Mataram', 'Anna Hazare Zindabad' and 'Anna Hazare Age Badho, Hum Tumhare Saath Hai'.

The marbat-badgya procession, being taken out since 1880s has its link to India's freedom struggle. This time it represented Hazare's second freedom struggle against corruption.

The organizers targeted union HRD minister Kapil Sibal, CWG and 2G spectrum scamsters Suresh Kalmadi and A Raja respectively by taking out their badgyas. Even Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari was also not spared for his remarks against Hazare. For the first time, Hazare's supporters took out a badgya of a corrupt leader and bashed him with shoes and chappals along the way.

One of the badgyas by Vidarbha Yuvak Kranti Dal took a dig at lavish wedding of son of a prominent leader in city. It carried the slogan "Hum Rashtriya Neta Bhastrachar Kar Ke Bachcho Ki Shadi Me 21 crore Kharch Karte Hai." It also targeted Centre's telecom policy favouring private companies. Another badgya stated: "Hum Us Desh Ke Wasi Hai Jis Desh Me SIM Card Free Milta Hai Par Chawal Rs 30 Kg Bikta Hai."

The badgya by Chhatrapati Shivaji Park Badgya Utsav Samiti, Maskasath, too targeted the corrupt politicians. It said, "Beimano Ka Raj Badal Do, Bhastrachar Ka Taj Badal Do." It depicted former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh with a bundle of currency notes in hands for his alleged role in cash-for-vote scam.

Kapil Sibal, who criticised Hazare, was the prime target of the organizers. Kapil Sibal was termed as 'Kaptil Sibal' for playing politics with Anna (Kaptil in Marathi means shrewd and cunning). The slogan on a 15-foot badgya of Kalmadi by Bal Vidyarthi Badgya Mandal, Itwari, stated: "Jail Me Aapka Swagat Hai Mr 420." It also highlighted fuel and LPG price hike.

For the first time, a badgya of corrupt leader by Anna's supporters appealed to the voters to remind their MPs that they had been elected to serve the people. The organizers stood on an open chariot and bashed the badgya with chappals expressing their ire against corrupt leaders.

The 131-year-old Kali marbat by the Kali Marbat Utsav Samiti, Maskasath, and 127-year-old Pivli marbat by Tarhane Teli Samaj, Jaagnath Budhwari, continued to be the star attraction of the procession. Thousands witnessed the traditional 'milan' of both the marbats at Nehru Putla, Itwari.

Despite Ramzan and EId festivity, many Muslim community members also witnessed the marbat procession which passed off peacefully. Even as badgyas were a source of entertainment, thousands tried to touch the feet of Kali and Pivli marbats, which are deities for them.

Earlier, the procession started from their respective areas at 10am. All the badgyas and marbats joined the mainstream at Ganjakhet Chowk and passed through Maskasath, Itwari Shahid Chowk, Gandhi Putla, Mahal, Gandhi Gate, Bhaldarpura and Agrasen Chowk. The Pivli marbat was burnt on a special platform at Pachpaoli while the Kali at Harihar Mandir in East Nagpur.