Youth draw parallels with Egypt as Hazare's crusade continues

New Delhi, Apr 8 (PTI) With the solidarity of the
youth to Gandhian Anna Hazare's crusade against corruption
growing by the hour, for some, Jantar Mantar has come to
symbolise what Tahrir square meant for protesters in Egypt.
As all eyes are fixed on the drama unfolding in the
capital with Hazare's fast-unto-death for an effective Jan
Lokpal Bill(Citizen's ombudsman Bill) entering into the fourth
day here Friday, the country's youth in particular have been
conspicuous with their vigorous campaigning on the streets and
in the cyber space.
"We are here to keep the revolutionary spirit alive.
If countries like Egypt and Tunisia could bring about change,
why can't India with a population of over a million emulate
the same? We don't want the tide of revolution to ebb, we want
it to go on. We want change," said 20-year-old Ninan Varghis,
a student of Delhi's St Stephen's college.
71-year-old Hazare's demand to set up a joint
committee to draft an effective anti-corruption bill have
drawn support from various quarters.
"I don't see why the government is so reluctant. We
see in the introduction of the Lokpal bill an India that
respects the political and cultural rights of its citizens,"
said 26-year-old Bhawna Jain, an HR consultant working in
Gurgaon.
"The 'Anna mania' has caught on. Everyone wants to
meet this man whose self-control and passion for a cause is
something few of us could even dream of emulating. You may
agree or disagree with him but you can't ignore him," she
said, while wading her way through the crowd to catch a
glimpse of the man.
Meanwhile, further thrust was given to Hazare's
movement with several online activists flooding microblogging
and social networking sites with messages supporting Hazare's
crusade against corruption.
While discussions on social networking sites and
Twitter for the proposed bill have helped garner support of
the youth, SMSes like "Anna Hazare at 78 is fasting for YOUR
FUTURE, will you sit at home and let him die?" and "Yes, you
can" have piqued the curiosity of many.
"When I first received the message I dismissed it as
publicity stunt, but then when I saw Hazare on TV and heard so
many people talk highly about him I realised there was more to
the movement. When I joined the rally I felt reinvigorated..
like I was finally doing something for my country," Harsh
Chordia, a student of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi,
said.
Facebook and Twitter have seen around 45-50 updates
per minute on Hazare. Users are constantly updating their
views and urging others to join the cause.
A total of 32,553 people have 'liked' Anna Hazare's
page on Facebook and the figures are increasing by the minute,
indicating the popularity among the masses.
"The Government's promises to us have been vague and
insincere so long. But hope springs from the fact that
thousands of youngsters across the country are spearheading
Annaji's campaign and we are sure their efforts won't go in
vain. They are emerging as a strong force. Change is near and
we won't rest till we achieve it," RTI activist Arvind
Kejriwal told PTI.
The protests have not been limited to the capital
alone as support for Hazare's cause have poured in from across
the country, including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and
Chennai with people staging demonstrations.
"I'm so proud to see so many people out on the
streets, but then I'm not surprised. When you see a friend or
brother being a part of some great struggle, it gives you
hope, hope for yourself and hope for your country," said
senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, watching hundreds of people
carry out a candle-light march.