Anna Hazare, who shot to fame with his campaigning for the Lokpal Bill, made a surprise visit to the Sabarmati Riverfront in the city. Hazare met slum dwellers of Gujari Bazar, who recently lost their homes in the AMC's demolition drive, on Wednesday. After hearing out the slum dwellers Hazare extended his support to them.
In a briefing, Hazare said he will take up the issue and make sure that justice is done. "I understand your problem, but do not worry as I am with you and I will fight for you," said Hazare. His assurance was well received by more than 300 slum dwellers. Hazare is in the city for a day-long programme organised by different organisations. And since he was coming to the city, social workers had asked Hazare to look into the problems of slum dwellers.
Thus he made a surprise visit to the riverfront immediately after he landed in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. He visited the riverfront at 6 pm and stayed there till 6:30 pm. Hazare was accompanied by Lokpal committee members Swami Agnivesh and Arvind Kejriwal.
The slum dwellers had started preparation for Hazare's grand welcome as soon as they got to know of his visit to the city. They made posters and banners denouncing the AMC for demolishing their slums and not allocating them alternative accommodation. According to Ashok Vaghela, a local representative of slum dwellers association.
AMC officials adopted corrupt measures during the process of allotment of the alternative housing. "We wanted to tell Anna about the corrupt practices of the AMC and inhuman approach adopted by their officials which has forced us to live in such miserable conditions," said Vaghela, who gave a memorandum to Hazare.
Swami Agniwesh also made stark comments on the alleged corruption and atrocities by the authorities. "I can see the atrocities being committed against the poor. I am amazed to see how law is misused in Gujarat to favour a few," said Agnivesh. He pointed to a bulldozer which was clearing debris close to their gathering. "It proves that the government is not following the high court's order. It is a clear case of contempt of court" said Agnivesh adding that the money allotted to develop the riverfront should have been used for the welfare of the slum dwellers.
Hazare's surprise visit was the result of efforts put in by the city social workers. They included Mallika Sarabhai, Prakash N Shah, Democratic Youth Organisation Secretary Jayesh Patel and many more. "We mailed the details of the problems faced by the slum dwellers to Swami Agnivesh few days back. In response to which Agnivesh and Anna assured us of their visit to the place whenever they come to Ahmedabad," said Bhavik Raja of Democratic Student's Organisation.
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