The Common Man Speaks

Pictures from protest outside Priya Dutt’s house (EXCLUSIVE)

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As per Anna Hazare’s suggestion, it was decided that Monday August 22 will be the day to protest outside the residences of all the MPs of India. So we gathered outside MP Priya Dutt’s house.

Take a look at the pictorial narration of the dramatic incident: –

Protestors at Priya Dutt's Pali Hill residence shouting slogans and urging her to join their cause.

5 big police vans, a police jeep and around 40-50 cops deployed for a group of peaceful protestors!

Surprisingly, a cop volunteered to call Priya and she even obliged. However, she took a democratic stand and avoided the question whether she supports the Jan Lokpal Bill. After looking at the demand of the aam janta, she did say she supports the cause. We asked her to give a written confirmation to which she agreed.

We all decided to gherao at the place until we get a written word from her.

As time passed by, the enthusiasm went on increasing with people shouting slogans, expressing their thoughts and reciting patriotic songs.

Demand of the aam aadmi.

Railway employee Stanley revealing how he was affected by corruption during the worst phase of his life (more about him in my later posts).

There comes a letter from Priya. However, it left most of us dissatisfied as she didn't mention whether she is with Jan Lokpal or against it! This triggered more protests.

We decided to send flowers to Priya with a 'Get Well Soon' message for the whole government. A trick from Sanjay Dutt's movie (Lage Raho Munna Bhai) was used to protest against the government through his own sister!

Another bouquet with the same message.

The events outside Priya's residence were passed on to the IAC (India Against Corruption) Mumbai Head Mayank Gandhi (who is also a close aide of Hazare). After analysing the letter, Mayank concluded that we have done a great job as Priya has mentioned that she supports the movement by IAC which means she supports the public demand of the passing of the Jan Lokpal Bill. And what's more, Anna Hazare himself applauded our effort! So, we can say this was another feather in the cap for the IAC and a booster for the movement!

Numerous MPs all over India extended their support for the amendment of the Jan Lokpal Bill. This was like a small taste of victory for Hazare supporters.

But there is still a lot of fighting still to be done… of course in a non-violent manner!

When the Common Man awakened (Mumbai 1 Lakh March)

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All my life I had only heard about the power of the Common Man but never really saw it. Apart from the numerous Hindi films, I was yet to see the Common Man strike in real since he has always been too busy with his own life, his personal problems.

But on Sunday August 21, 2011 in Mumbai everything changed. I was able to witness the awakening of the Common Man in real in support of Anna Hazare and the amendment of the Jan Lokpal Bill during the historic ‘One Lakh March’ rally.

The event was so called as the organizers had expected 1 lakh people to join in. The route was from Bandra West Railway station to Juhu Circle. They were urging Mumbaikars to join in to make sure the number reaches 1 lakh. However, the city-dwellers more than obliged them as over 2 lakh people hit the streets of Mumbai!

Before the start of the rally outside Bandra Station

Before the protest rally commenced just before 4:30, the scenes outside Bandra Station looked similar to that of a cricket stadium with thousands of people gathered with India’s tricolor, shouting slogans. But once the rally commenced and more and more people started joining in, the number went much ahead than any of the World Cup Finals!

In order to test the spirit of the protestors, heavy rains started pouring once we reached Khar. In no time, it turned into heavy showers. However, it had zero effect on the morale of the protestors who kept marching without a care in the world. I personally hate getting drenched in rains, more so because of the fear of falling ill but this event turned out to be an exception. Who cares?

There some touching scenes as well as a number of volunteers started distributing drinking water, biscuits and even soft drinks to the protestors for free! Their motto was clear: We don’t want you to stop by any means! One of the best examples of Spirit Of Mumbai!

As we were about to reach Juhu Beach, the long distance started affecting my body. But looking at the josh and enthusiasm of over a lakh people, my mind and heart urged me to go ahead and they eventually overruled my body!

Then came the historic moment when the rally ended at Juhu Circle. After the very long walk (from 4:40pm to just before 8pm) lakhs of people gathered at the ending point. People were proud of themselves and why not? They became a part of history! Such a scene was never seen after India’s independence! The place really became the next Tahrir Square!

I heard one of the protestors saying, “Me and my friend had been to Bandra to meet a client. After meeting the client, we got to know about the protest rally and decided to participate in it for 15 minutes. But we ended up waling the whole distance.”

This was a huge message to the government as to what people really want. It’s an open message saying – If you really feel India is a democratic country, you must listen to the voice of people who are not going to stop unless the Jan Lokpal Bill is passed. If it isn’t passed till August 30, the movement will become even stronger and your mental state, worse!

For today, let’s gather (dharna) outside the houses of all MPs and urge them to fulfill the demand of the Common Man.

 

Some more pictures from the rally: –

At the final destination at Juhu Circle

The rally ends with a candle light vigil

A day at Azad Maidan during protest…

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I have been participating in Anna Hazare’s protest rallies for the amendment of Jan Lokpal bill in areas like Bandra and Dadar. But the protest which I attended at Azad Maidan was something special.

Till date, I had only heard of India’s freedom movement but looking at the current protest rallies for Hazare, I, along with many youngsters, got a golden opportunity of experiencing it, more so at Azad. The patriotic slogans, enthusiasm, dutiful activities of the general public made me wonder whether I am sent back to the pre-1947 era!

I got to know that a group of people, who were sitting on the stage, were also fasting along with Hazare. Despite that, they showed no signs of it. In fact, some even gave speeches expressing the need to protest with full enthusiasm. There were hundreds of others waiting to be on the podium.


Some volunteers were distributing postcards, which were to be sent to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to pass the Civil Society’s version of the Jan Lokpal Bill.

The most defining moment was when Mayank Gandhi, Mumbai in-charge of India Against Corruption (IAC), took stage. He explained the difference between the government version of Lokpal Bill and the version proposed by the Civil Society. After listening to it, I bet nobody would like to keep away from the protest!

I met a number of people who had taken leave from office and a large number of students who have been bunking college just to be a part of the movement. People from all religion, caste and class had united. All total strangers but still each other’s well-wishers as they were united by a single belief – revolution! Has India ever witnessed such scenes after Independence?

The most amazing and, even, unbelievable aspect of this protest is that not a single incident of even a minor violence is reported. In fact, in all these rallies I have not even once heard anyone abusing or using foul language, which is a fad these days.

This was the scene at just one rally. There are thousands of such rallies taking place all over India. The Congress Government better take the voice of the masses seriously else life will keep getting uglier for them.

As it is, we all know their mental condition right now. First they arrested Hazare, a step which turned out to be a humungous blunder! Then, their spokesperson Manish Tewari had to bear crores of slaps after accusing Hazare for being corrupt. Later, another spokesperson said the movement might be a tactic by the US. This became the biggest joke of the year.

Lastly, they accused Hazare of running away from the army during his younger days but this was proved otherwise by the Right To Information tool. These lineups of goof-up clearly indicate the state of mind of our government right now. A clear case of – Vinaash Kaal, Vipritt Buddhi!

Already unprecedented numbers of people have participated in the movement but it’s important to up the ante in order to show our government and other parties the mirror while keeping in mind the most important factor – non-violence!

Some more pictures during the protest: –

My letter which I posted to our PM

Musical artists doing their bit to spread the word increase enthusiasm

Current state of Government?