17 August,2011 10:00 AM IST | | Anurag Jadli
Gandhian activist's arrest ahead of his anti-corruption fast unites bharat and India, triggers nationwide protests drawing tens of thousands. Parliament crippled as an otherwise divided opposition closes ranks
These were unprecedented scenes. From morning till late at night, thousands of people were out on the streets and gathered at sites in the Capital that were earmarked by Anna Hazare and his protesters to launch their agitation against corruption. Many commentators described it as the coming together of India and Bharat. Age, gender, caste, creed, religion - nothing seemed to matter. And the government, while desperately trying to put up a brave front, seemed totally on the back foot.
United we stand: Civil Society members protesting against the arrest
of Anna Hazare at Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday. Hazare was
to launch his fast for a Jan Lokpal Bill to fight against corruption.
PIC/Imtiyaz Khan
In an early morning swoop, Delhi Police picked up social activist Anna Hazare from his residence in New Delhi just as he was preparing to leave for Gandhi Samadhi at Rajghat ahead of his fast at JP Park to press for a strong anti-corruption Lokpal Bill. From what followed, the move seemed to have backfired. "This is the second fight for freedom and this movement will not halt now," said Hazare as he was whisked away with several supporters trying to stop the vehicle that carried him to the Delhi Police Officers' Mess at Civil Lines. He was later sent to the Tihar jail after he reportedly refused to offer surety for his bail before a magistrate.
Winning smile: Civil Society leader Anna Hazare being taken into
police custody after his arrest in New Delhi on Tuesday. Hazare was
to begin his fast for a Jan Lokpal Bill to fight against corruption.
Pic/Imtiyaz Khan
Preemptive measure
The 73-year old Gandhian was picked up at 7.30am from a flat where he was staying in Mayur Vihar in east Delhi after he refused to be persuaded by the Delhi Police officials who urged him not to undertake the fast since it would be in violation of prohibitory orders that were imposed on Monday night. Hazare and his aides including Arvind Kejriwal, were first taken to the Delhi Police Officers' Mess in north Delhi and were shifted after their supporters gathered in a large numbers at the Civil Lines areas. Nearly 1400 activists were detained in various parts of the city when they came out in support of Hazare, who had planned to launch the fast at JP Park near Ferozeshah Kotla and Delhi Police Commissioner BK Gupta said they would be released after 'some time'.
The social activist, who is campaigning for a legislation that will cover the Prime Minister, higher judiciary and MPs conduct within Parliament among other things, was later taken to Rajouri Garden police station in west Delhi where a Special Executive Magistrate remanded him to 7-dayu00a0 judicial custody. The decision to remand him came after Hazare refused to sign a personal bond undertaking that he will not defy the prohibitory orders and hold protests.
'Free to go'
Civil rights activists Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan, detained by Delhi Police Tuesday morning ahead of Anna Hazare's fast-unto-death, were released in the evening, police said."Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan have been released," Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat told reporters. He said theirs was "preventive arrest".
Bedi and Bhushan were detained under the Delhi Police Act, on charges of refusing to comply with the directions given by a police officer.
Hazare, fellow activist Arvind Kejriwal and six supporters were sent to Tihar jail by a special executive magistrate for not signing a bail bond and promising not to violate prohibitory orders. Meanwhile, BJP-led NDA, Left and several other Opposition parties on Tuesday joined ranks and demanded a statement by the PM on 'violation of democratic rights'. As Hazare was arrested and sent to Tihar Jail, leaders of BJP, JD(U), Shiv Sena, CPI(M), CPI, Samajwadi Party, RJD and some other non-UPA parties held a meeting to discuss common strategy over the issue and came up with a vow to continue their agitation in Parliament against corruption.
Also read
' After Hazare's detention, Manmohan Singh calls cabinet meet
' Chennai begins fast to support Hazare
' Hazare, associates detained, protests across Delhi
' Orissa: Supporters protest Anna's detention
' Activists fast in Himachal to support Anna
' Rajya Sabha adjourned over Anna arrest
' Thousands gather at Chhatrasal Stadium anticipating Anna's release
' 'Gandhiji's method of fasting was different'
' What sort of revolution?
' Anna's men will ask you to bunk work today
' Detention is beginning of India's second freedom struggle: Hazare
