Jan Lokpal Bill: After immolation shock, Anna Hazare says stick to the Gandhian line

A day after an Anna supporter attempted to immolate himself near Rajghat, Anna appealed to his supporters to stick to the Gandhian principles of ahimsa. There have been several cases of brawls under the influence of alcohol in Ramlila Maidan and also cases of traffic violations by Anna supporters. Hazare pleaded his supporters to not violate the spirit of the protest by inconveniencing the people. He said such acts would destroy the protest.

“What happened yesterday was not right. No young man should go on the path of such destruction and this violence is not necessary. The youth has a lot to do in the future .They need to rebuild the country after we stamp out corruption.Do not waste your lives but sacrifice it for the country,” said an emotional Hazare while addressing his supporters in the morning. The 32-year-old Anna supporter from Bihar has suffered 90% burns and might not survive, according to doctors.

There have been numerous instances of Anna supporters driving pell-mell on Delhi streets. About 10 teams have been deployed all over the city, and the PCR, local police and traffic police are working in tandem to rein in these rowdy elements. According to the traffic police, prosecutions are taking place every day. There were 120 prosecutions on Tuesday and 170 on Wednesday for violations such as two people riding pillion, and driving without a helmet.

On Wednesday,four tractor trolleys were being used to transport supporters and since these vehicles aren’t meant for transporting people, the supporters were detained. There was a traffic jam in Burari as well.Anna told his supporters that such anarchy on streets must be avoided at all costs. Kiran Bedi had earlier said, “The Delhi citizen is with us. We must not block traffic and affect the common man’s life.”

After an incident involving a media person getting beaten up by some rowdy elements who were reportedly drunk, Anna repeatedly told his supporters to not drink at the protest site. There have also been other cases of fights breaking out after consumption of alcohol. “Alcohol kills you. Would you want your father or your child to drink? Alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco, they kill you. You must save yourselves to build the country. The media is our friend; they have woken up the common man,” said Anna.