Mangalore: Protest in Support of Anna Hazare Turns into Battle for Mike
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Aug 16: Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare's campaign against the UPA government on the issue of the Jan Lokpal Bill permeated into the streets of Mangalore too, but with a twist, when two separate groups, both in favour of Hazare, clashed.
Though the members belonging to DK district Anti-corruption Forum and citizens of Mangalore gathered in front of the DC’s office on Tuesday August 16 in support of Hazare, an unexpected intervention from members of another group, who were also in support of Hazare and Jan Lokpal Bill, created problems.
89-year-old Namdev Shenoy, a senior Gandhian and freedom fighter of the city, was the only one allowed to address the protestors, however, another group of middle-aged people said that they had better ideas to share in support of Jan Lokpal Bill and Anna Hazare.
However, the protestors belonging to DK district Anti-corruption Forum said that it was a peaceful protest organised by them and since Namdev Shenoy was a veteran freedom fighter, only he could address the gathering and nobody else.
Heated discussions among the two factions ensued, and police intervened to calm down them down before the protest could resume peacefully.
Addressing the protestors Namdev Shenoy recalled that he was arrested by the police and put him jail when he was in the 7th standard for his involvement in the freedom struggle. He noted that in recent years the villages in India have been neglected the most by the government. Even the five year plans are not being properly implemented in rural areas, he said.
He condemned the arrest of Hazare and his team on August 16 morning and said it was an attempt by the government to curb the constitutional rights of the citizens to protest.
The protestors recited the mantra 'Jai Jagath' on his cue. The protest will go on till 6 pm and later a lamp will be lit to show solidarity towards Anna Hazare’s fight against corruption.