Behind the stage, at the meeting room

At five in the evening, there was hectic activity behind the stage where social activist Anna Hazare was sitting. A special meeting was called inside a 'meeting room', where the volunteers from across the country were present discussing the strategy for the proposed meeting with the government later in the day.

The meeting was held against the backdrop of the all-party meeting at the Prime Minister's residence and the scheduled meeting with Law Minister Salman Khurshid. Members who participated in the discussions said: "The mood was not as optimistic as it was yesterday after meeting Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee."


The activity behind the stage at the Ramlila Maidan is out of bounds for the media. Unsure over how long the fast may continue, organisers of the India Against Corruption have constructed a make-shift office that has almost all that a modern office needs.
The backstage comprises a 'meeting room', a 'VIP room' to seat the 'important' people who visit Hazare and a 'Media room' that constantly monitors the news reports on television and personal laptops. This room is abuzz with activity, with co-ordinators searching for journalists who are running 'false stories'. As one of the members explained: "Yesterday, one was running a report saying Hazare had agreed to an intravenous drip. We searched him (the reporter who filed the report) out and requested him to stop airing it. Later, Hazare was brought out to show to the cameras - and anyone else who was watching the channel - that he had not agreed to do anything like that."

Arrangements have also been made to house a team of doctors to address any emergency health concerns that Hazare may face. The organisers have ensured that Hazare is comfortable. Members said the stage where Hazare is fasting is divided 'into two halves'. Behind the stage where Hazare sits during the day, a rest room has been constructed for him to sleep at night. The room has 'basic facilities', including a 'mobile toilet'. Only close confidants and doctors have access to the rest room.