Vendors make a killing at Freedom Park

With hundreds of anti-graft supporters thronging the park for the past six days, opportunistic vendors have over-run the venue and are fleecing the protestors and visitors alike. Yacoob Mohammed reports

Vendors make a killing at Freedom Park

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Vendors make a killing at Freedom Park

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Opportunity knocks: Anti-corruption supporters take a break from their
protest at Freedom Park and snack on the readily available, but
exorbitantly-priced food being sold by vendors. PIC/Yacoob Mohammed

While some vendors are claiming to have made an entire month's profit in a mere six days, ardent anti-graft supporters have not taken too kindly to the atmosphere that is being created at the protest venue.
The Freedom Park yesterday looked like a carnival with chaat vendors selling an assortment of eats and sugarcane juice carts scattered across the venue.

Hundreds of curious individuals and entire families turned up to witness the protests and to be part of the scene and the protesters themselves looked lively and seemed to be enjoying themselves in shifts.

Shout, eat, run?
Meanwhile, the beloved Anna of the masses is on an indefinite fast since the past six days.

Ardent protesters, who have been thronging the Freedom Park since the last week, claimed that it was somewhat shocking to see groups participating in the protest for a few minutes and then spending the rest of their time at various food stalls in and around the venue.

"We have been here day and night and some people just come, shout a few slogans, wander around the park, have snacks and then leave. It is sad to see that the purpose of the protest is getting diluted," said S Siddeshwar, an IT professional.

Facing business?
Interestingly, vendors have pasted pictures of a smiling Hazare on their carts and are posing as supporters while they fleece the unwary. Prices of eats have shot up to almost three times, and its not just vendors who are cashing in on the opportunity, but activists as well.

S Amruth, an activist who has been fighting for people's right for free water has also found an advantageous spot outside the venue. For some, it is an extended Independence Day.

"Be it broaches, flags, posters, wrist bandsu00a0-- anything to do with the tricolor is selling like hot cakes," claimed K Rajendran, who has been charging thrice-times the actual price for his wares.