Support for Anna Hazare swells in Karnataka

Bangalore - 17 August 2011 (PTI): Thousands of students skipped classes as they thronged Freedom Park in Bangalore in support of Anna Hazare, with former Supreme Court judge Santosh N. Hegde, also joining the dharna.

Mr. Hegde, a member of the joint committee on drafting the Lokpal bill who till recently was Karnataka Lokyukta, threw his weight behind the protest for the second day as slogans of "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" constantly rent the air.

"Anna is fighting for us. We are here to support him," several students said. Some had even taken permission from their school authorities to be part of the protest.

Techies, NGOs and the elderly were seen lending support as the crowds swelled, with the protest appearing to gather further momentum.

Mr. Hegde reiterated that the government made a mistake by arresting Mr. Hazare and now wants to rectify it, adding, he is sure the social activist would again be taken into custody when he launches an indefinite fast once released, which would allow it to "legitimise" its move.

He opined that if the Government came out with an "open heart and open soul, we (the civil society members) are ready to discussions again".

Capt. G. R. Gopinath, founder of low cost airline Air Deccan, said the fight is not against any political party; it's against the system. He said the government, instead of arresting Mr. Hazare, should have opted to discuss the provisions enunciated by Team Anna in Parliament, adding, it should now show "grace" as it's not too late.