Mumbai: Anti-corruption Anna Hazare reached the MMRDA grounds in Mumbai's Bandra-Kurla complex in an open truck, accompanied by his team members. Amidst cheering supporters, Anna began his three-day fast in protest against a 'weak' Lokpal Bill even as Lok Sabha initiated a debate on the proposed law.
Anna, who is suffering from a viral infection, arrived at the MMRDA grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex of suburban Mumbai along with his close aides Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Manish Sisodia to a thunderous applause and slogans of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Vande Matram'.
Anna began his fast shouting slogans of 'Vande Matram' and 'inqilab zindabad'.
The 74-year-old activist reached the venue after paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Juhu Beach while on his way in a rally, which took two-and-half hours to reach the ground, passing through Santacruz, Tulip Star Hotel, Mithibai College, SV Road, Vile Parle, Khar and Bandra Highway.
Anna travelled in a decorated open truck from the guest house to MMRDA grounds waving tricolour and a number of people were seen waiting to greet him on the streets.
However, there was high drama on way as around 20 men blocked his convoy and showed him black flags. The convoy of Hazare, on way to Mahatma Gandhi's statue on Juhu beach, was briefly stopped by the protesters carrying black flags and national tricolour and shouting "Anna Hazare murdabad".
In Delhi, Lok Sabha started a discussion on the bill.
However, Team Anna's protest elicited a lukewarm response with supporters blaming the winter chill and absence of Anna Hazare for the low turnout at Ramlila Maidan.
The protest relay fast in Delhi was scheduled to start at 10 AM but it started only 90 minutes later as the crowd was not as huge as witnessed during the earlier agitation when Hazare was at the centre stage.
Amid concerns over his health as he was suffering from viral infection, Hazare had on Monday said he will go ahead with his protest and claimed that his movement was not against any side, person or party.
"Although today is a working day, we are confident about offering a strong, overwhelming reception to our 74-year-old veteran, who is leaving no stone unturned for the betterment of our very own future," an IAC spokesperson said.
The rally will pass through Santacruz, Tulip Star hotel, Mithibai college, S V Road, Vile Parle, Khar and Bandra Highway. Maharashtra government has said all necessary security arrangements have been made for the stir in Mumbai.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home) U C Sarangi chaired a high-level meeting on Monday where he reviewed the law and order situation and security scenario in the city ahead of Hazare's fast.
Police have fortified the fast venue by deploying 2000 police constables and 200 sub-inspectors of police, six platoons of state reserve police force, three teams of Quick Response Team and two Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads.
The ground has six emergency exits, 16 fire extinguishers, six metal detector units and round-the-clock ambulance services.
(With additional information from PTI)
Comments
0 comment