New Delhi, Dec 28 (IANS) Anna Hazare’s absence and the chilly weather were behind the failure to attract crowds during Team Anna’s protest at the Ramlila ground here, supporters of the anti-corruption crusader said Wednesday.
As Team Anna’s protest entered its second day here Wednesday, the crowds continued to remain thin as key members Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan and Kiran Bedi addressed the gathering.
According to the police, around 1,500 people were present at the Ramlila ground here which in no way matched the tens of thousands who thronged the venue when Hazare fasted here in August.
A slight increase in the crowd was seen after Bedi arrived at the ground.
Team Anna supporters agreed that the scenario would have been different if Hazare was present. ‘If Anna had been present at the Ramlila Maidan, then the crowds would be much more,’ S.K. Tyagi, and advocate and resident of Yamuna Park who was at the venue, told IANS.
Researcher and author Satish Solanki said: ‘The absence of a mass leader has deeply influenced the protest here. Delhiites would be more happy if the anti-corruption crusader had observed his fast here.’
Gaurav Mishra of Asmita Theater Group said the change of venue of Hazare’s protest was a major cause for the thinner crowd at Ramlila Maidan. ‘People are not aware about the protest organised here. However, through our ‘Nukkad Natak’ we are creating awareness among people.’
Mishra with his group are working to create awareness among people about the Lokpal through short dramas.
However, Vikrant, a volunteer said the cold weather had also prevented people from joining Team Anna’s protest here.
Dushyant Kumar, a 78-year-old supporter who claimed to be a retired Army officer, said that though many people are not physically present here, ‘they are supporting the movement by participating in it by watching TV at their homes’.
Those gathered at the venue criticised the government’s Lokpal bill that was passed by the Lok Sabha Tuesday.
‘The Lokpal bill is weak and it would not be very effective in controlling corruption,’ said Ganesh Datta, a computer operator who had come to the venue along with his colleague.
The fewer crowds at the Ramlila ground also hit the local vendors, painters and other hawkers who were expecting good business like during the August fast that saw tens of thousands visiting the venue.
‘Compared to the August agitation, the December protest has not been very fruitful. We are hardly earning any money this time,’ said Javed, a painter, adding that locals were missing the presence of Hazare here.
Recalling the last protest, Sikander, a hawker, told IANS that this time the protest has not yielded mucg profit. ‘Last time, people arrived loaded in trucks and other vehicles. They were buying tri-colors, Gandhi topis printed with ‘I am Anna’, printed Anna T-shirts and other products.’
The thin crowds notwithstanding, the supporters assembled at the ground were shouting in one voice: ‘We want Lokpal demanded by Anna Hazare without any amendment.’
Supporters holding the Indian flag and shouting slogans of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Inquilab zindabad’ were seen watching live footage of Hazare’s fast at Mumbai on a huge LCD TV screen.
Hazare, who is suffering from viral fever, called off his fast in the evening, a day ahead of schedule.
