Chennaiites brave rain to support Anna

Supporters of social activist Anna Hazare during a protest
against corruption at Marina beach in Chennai on Wednesday

Hundreds of supporters of Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement staged a peaceful march on the service lane behind Gandhi Statue on the Marina Beach here on Wednesday. Raising slogans condemning corruption, several students, professionals and volunteers from India Against Corruption, Chennai chapter, took part in the march despite heavy rain.

Earlier in the day, the Government Railway Police, Egmore, arrested Sakthivel, an autorickshaw driver from Tambaram, after he threatened to jump off an iron scaffolding atop the Thiruvanmiyur MRTS station. Several commuters, passersby and employees of nearby companies watched as the man waved the national flag, pledging to die in support of Anna Hazare.

In the afternoon, a group of students from 50 city colleges left the fast venue on L.B. Road to demonstrate outside Rajaji Bhavan, which houses Central government offices, in Besant Nagar. “We are shouting slogans demanding that the employees come outside and assure us that they will never accept a bribe,” said R. Shruthi, a student.

Using social networking and text messages, students coordinated various demonstrations held across the city on Wednesday. While students of Vivekananda College lined the compound walls outside their college premises, bike rallies and similar demonstrations were organised in Vepery and Maduravoyal.

At the venue on L.B. Road, more than 10,000 students had registered from 56 colleges in support of the cause, said G. Banu, media coordinator, IAC. “There are currently 21 people on indefinite fast and 81 on relay fast. One person who was on fast had to be hospitalised on Tuesday night,” she said. Close to 20 students from V-Excel Educational Trust joined the cause. “The students who are young adults with special needs will be registering to support the cause,” said Usha Rajagopal, a teacher.

Outside the venue, shopkeeper S. Shivakumar, who is a supporter of Mr. Hazare, said he has to replenish his stock of national flags on a daily basis.


VIJAY TO MEET HAZARE

Tamil actor Vijay will leave for Delhi on Thursday morning to meet Anna Hazare at the Ramlila grounds to wish him success in his campaign. He will also participate in the fast.