Anna fever grips college campuses

From human chains to colloquiums and slogan-raising to guest lectures, campuses abuzz with activity as students join anti-corruption movement

From human chains to colloquiums and slogan-raising to guest lectures, campuses abuzz with activity as students join anti-corruption movement

College campuses across the city are abuzz with slogans and protest rallies being organised in favour of Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement and crusade for a stronger Lokpal Bill.u00a0From hunger strikes to formation of human chains, guest lectures on citizen journalism to shouting slogans and enlisting volunteers, there is much happening on campuses to show Hazare's movement has caught the fancy of the youth.


Std X students of Abhinav Vidyalay at an anti-corruption demonstration
yesterday

At ILS Law College, Professor Sita Bhatia said that students as well as a few faculty members were forming a human chain near the college gate to protest against the undemocratic arrest of Anna Hazare on Tuesday. "What happened was shameful. Though I have always been a supporter of the Congress party, I feel ashamed at the action taken by them. There seems to be not much difference between the British Raj and the present day so-called democratically elected government. The crisis of legitimacy of Lokpal Bill has led to this unrest and our students and faculty are protesting that," she said.


Protesters demand the Jan Lokpal Bill in the form professed by Hazare

Bhatia added that a colloquium would also be organised to debate the Lokpal Bill and current developments.
At the International School of Business and Media (ISB&M), guest lectures on citizen journalism were organised to discuss Hazare's movement. "Exams are approaching and even though our students wanted to be a part of the rallies, we had to stop them. Instead, what we did was organise a guest lecture on citizen journalism and civil activism so that we can make our students more aware of the values behind the current movement," said Manju Rugwani, media professor, ISB&M.


Au00a0bikers' rally in support of Hazare moves along JM Road. Pics/Krunal
Gosavi

At Fergusson College, students moved about in groups, raising slogans in support of Hazare and putting up posters in solidarity. "We didn't allow any sort of rally but students are raising slogans of 'Vande Mataram' and 'We are Anna Hazare' to support the anti-corruption movement. Many of our students joined protesters in other parts of the city, while activism on campus was restricted to slogans and posters," said Principal R B Pardeshi.

At Sir Parashurambhau College as well the scene was no different, as students raised slogans in support of Hazare. Principal Dilip Seth said that students had even submitted a request to be allowed to take some big action like a protest rally or a large-scale college event, but permission had not been granted yet. "We are yet to decide to what extent we can allow students to participate," said Seth.

Some college principals also had a word of caution for their students. Dr Mukund Sarda, dean of Bhartiya Vidyapeeth's New Law College said that he had appealed to students that no one was above the law and to hold silent and peaceful protests if need be. "I agree we are living in a democracy and have the right to protest, but we are in a parliamentary democracy and that's why institutions like Parliament and the party in power should be respected.

So while we respect the voice of the people, we should also respect the institutions," he said, adding that students from the college held a silent protest rally on the campus. Bhagwan Thakur, principal of Nowrosjee Wadia College, said that he had strictly told students that no protests would be allowed on campus. "This isn't a part of academics and that's why I don't want it on my campus. If individually someone wants to be a part of it, they can go out," he said.

Citizens speak up against corruption


I was not a part of the independence movement in 1947, but now this is the second movement for independence, one to get rid of the corruption menace in the country. I wholeheartedly supporting Anna Hazare and came out on the roads and participated in the hunger strike. This movement has given me a strong feeling of patriotism. My friends Aarti Ghemud and Abhay Jeri are with me in the protest
--u00a0Meenal Ingale (18), Law Student, DES Law Collegeu00a0

I participated in the hunger strike and was arrested by the police. I was later released. I painted many caps and faces with the Tricolour and the Janlokpal Bill; I fully support Anna Hazare in his hunger strike and am willing to go to Delhi. I would also like to go to jail on charges of protesting against the government's Lokpal Bill. I took a weeklong leave from my office for this cause. Many of my IT colleagues in other companies are also with me. Over 100 IT professionals are in the hunger strike in Puneu00a0
-- Kshama Jain (26), IT Engineer, Redknee, Kalyani Nagar


This is the first and only big platform for me to speak openly against corruption. I believe in Hazare's idea of proposing Jan Lokpal Bill that can also include the Prime Minister. Our generation is facing maximum problems of corrupt practices in many fields, including education. My colleague students, including Sadhana Kelkar, Anupama Engineer and Paramnath Mishra, are also with us in the agitation since the last two days. Our support shall continue till Hazare calls off his hunger strikeu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
-- Milind Chaudhari (28), PhD Student (Biotechnology), Agharkar Institute

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I am here to distribute the Jan Lokpal Bill and busy since last two days. I have a special place for Anna in my heart, not only because he is fighting for the Jan Lokpal Bill, but also because he is the only person I believe I should follow.


Treasured possession: The counterfoil of the money order Kamble
sent Anna Hazare. Kamble has preserved the piece of paper as it has
Hazare's signature on it

As a token of my gratitude towards his fight against corruption, I sent a small amount to him by way of a money order. I have kept the counterfoil (in pic below) as it has the signature of Anna Hazare. Long live Hazare and long live our democracy!
--u00a0Shashi Arjun Kamble (43), Van Driver, Ralegansiddhi

I am with Anna because I have been duped by the CYG authorities to the tune of Rs 1.25 lakh. This corruption is too much and like me many others had not yet get their dues for the work done in the commonwealth games in Pune 2 years ago. I am joining hunger strike at Balgandhar Rangmandir square for the last 2 days. I support Anna's motto to pass the Janlokpal bill to stop the corruption menace in the entire country.u00a0u00a0
-- Sharad Tarde (53), Sculptor and Mural Artist

Compiled by Vivek Sabnis

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