Chennai:
Anna Hazare’s protest against a ‘weak’ Lokpal Bill has failed to strike a chord in Chennai on the first day of his fast on Tuesday despite superstar Rajnikanth backing the movement symbolically by lending his Raghavendra Kalyana Mantapam for the protest.
India Against Corruption activists blamed the poor attendance due to Christmas vacation besides getting the venue only on Monday, language barriers and holding the protest on a working day.
Another blow came in the form of India-Australia test match where Chennaites glued in front of their TV sets were anticipating cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar’s 100th ton in first class cricket , feel IAC volunteers.
Although, one could see the familiar faces, who took part during the pervious movement held in LB Road in August, the protest failed to garner the support of women as well as the support from information technology sector with empty chairs lying everywhere.
“It is not that the IT sector did not back us. It is because the protest is being held on a working day and we got the venue only at the last moment,” said Srinivas, an IAC volunteer.
Radhika Ganesh,a non-resident Indian from London, who is among three women on a three day continous fast says language has been the barrier which has resulted in poor turnout in Chennai. “Anna speaks only in Marathi and Hindi and the people of the state can’t understand it,” she says.
Currently, there are 28 people who are on continous fast, says IAC volunteer Banu Gomes, adding that another 100 volunteers are observing relay fast.
She said people from various non-governmental entities like Nallore Vattam, Shiksha, Tanjore RTI Activists Team, Anti Bribe Coalition,Voice of Indian, Tamilnadu Anti-Corruption Movement are participating in the protest.
Earlier, activists were found standing in the roadside holding placards and urging people to signup for the protest. “All the youngsters have gone out to campaign. Tomorrow you will see more crowd,” said an IAC activist.
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