Passions run high at Anna Hazare's protest site

NEW DELHI: Tricolours, Anna caps, patriotic songs - a day-long protest by Anna Hazare at Jantar Mantar today demanding justice for whistleblowers, who were killed fighting corruption, had all its usual ingredients.

The dharna hotspot was almost full before 74-year-old Hazare emerged on the dais with his close aides at 11:15 am roaring 'Vande Mataram, Bharat Mata ki Jai and Inquilab Zindabad' in his inimitable style.

Waving tricolour and clapping to patriotic songs, the crowd responded to the chants of slogans raised by the India Against Corruption activists.

The mood was enthusiastic and passions were aroused as the protest started around 11 am with Team Anna member Kumar Vishwas challenging ministers to sent their children to streets to fight corruption.

"Many young whistleblowers have lost their lives fighting corruption. If ministers have the guts, send your young children to fight corruption in this scenario where whistleblowers are killed.

"You talk about sitting till midnight to pass Lokpal Bill. Don't do us any favour. Our soldiers work overtime in Siachen glaciers to secure the country," Vishwas said.

Small films on whistleblowers were also played on the LCD screens erected at the protest site and brief descriptions about them were also given. In between, patriotic songs were also sung.

A big banner with a picture of Hazare and 19 "martyred" whistleblowers became the backdrop for the dais where Hazare was joined by Justice Santosh Hegde, Shanti Bhushan, Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Manish Sisodia.