04 August,2011 07:08 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
Activists plan agitations in city to support Anna Hazare's Delhi fast
Thousands of supporters of social activist Anna Hazare from the city plan to burn the government draft of the Lokpal Bill on August 16, the day Hazare launches his indefinite hunger strike in Delhi to protest against the dilution of the proposed law to fight corruption. To begin with, a candlelight march has been organised in the city, from Balgandharva Rangamandir on JM Road to the historic Shaniwarwada.
All together: Demonstrations to support Anna Hazare are planned from
August 9 inu00a0 the city. File Pic
Hazare's supporters also plan to observe Kranti Din on August 9 -- the day Mahatma Gandhi commenced his historic Quit India Movement against British rule in 1942 -- in the city to highlight the present-day struggle to drive out corruption. A similar programme is planned for the day in Hazare's village Ralegansiddhi. "Hazare may be present in Pune or at his own place on the day," said Jaisingh Mapari, sarpanch of Ralegansiddhi.
Wear black on Independence Day
Activists are asking people to wear black on Independence Day, August 15, to protest against the state of affairs in the country. "We are expecting over 5,000 people to participate in the agitation in Pune," said K D Pawar, president of the Bhrastachar Virodhi Janandolan Samiti established by Hazare. "We have appealed to our supporters to sport black clothes or put on a black ribbon as a mark of protest on Independence Day and to participate in the programme to hoist the national flag at the Shaniwarwada ground."
Hunger strike in city
Pawar said many people had been made aware of the "wrong" drafting of the Lokpal Bill and Hazare's cause at many chowk meetings held in the city. He said the candlelight march was to be held on Kranti Din. A chain hunger strike has also been planned in the city from August 16 to 20.u00a0"The venue shall be the road before the District Collector's Office or the PMC Main Building," Pawar said.u00a0After that, from August 20, the activists plan an indefinite hunger strike, and a 'Jail Bharo Aandolan' from August 22.
Bike rally cancelled
A bike rally from the city to Ralegansiddhi on August 7 was planned by many organisations in the city to show their support for Anna Hazare, but it has bee cancelled. The reason is that Hazare may not able to reach Ralegansiddhi on the day.
