Facebook drums up support for Anna Hazare, 3000 on solidarity fast

Thousands of people gathered at Azad Maidan to support social activist Anna Hazare who started his fast in Delhi on Tuesday under the banner of India Against Corruption (IAC). On Tuesday, around 3000 people fasted for a day at Azad Maidan to support Hazare. About 50 of them would be fasting indefinitely till the time Hazare is fasting.

"We will come here every morning and then, stay in the nearby lodges for the night as the police don't allows us to stay at the ground," said Mayank Gandhi, who has been leading the movement in Mumbai. Around 50 members of the group also came down on the road outside CST station to distribute pamphlets to the passersby encouraging them to join the protest.

The activity that lasted for around 15 minutes disturbed the movement of vehicles to an extent. They were standing with tricolor flags and shouting slogans against corruption. " We will continue our fasting and protests till the time our demands are fulfilled completely. We support Hazare for the cause he is fighting.

This is just the beginning, if at all our demands are not fulfilled then the government won't be able to control what happens on April 12," said Vyomesh Panchmatiya, a businessman by profession. The movement has been gaining momentum over the past few days, as the group has been active in a variety of mediums of communication.

" We have a Facebook page which is liked by 2 lakh people out of which 20,000 are active through out the nation and 2000 in the city. The active members do street plays, acts and much more in our ways to spread the word. We would have roped in many more people if the colleges didn't have vacations or exams," said Ruben Mascarenhas, administrator of the Facebook page.

Around 300 people kick started the day by carrying out a bike and car rally from Shivaji Park to Azad Maidan. The movement has also received from religious leaders and other social activists. " It is beautiful readymade bill as it considers equality in genuine terms for every government official right from the President to a clerk and it should be implemented," said Medha Patkar.