Emotional yo-yo at Azad Maidan

Supporters rally around Hazare in Delhi even as high drama and oscillation mark government-'Team Anna' interaction on Saturday

Saturday proved to be an emotional roller coaster for Anna Hazare's supporters, some of whom had been fasting with him for 11 days, at Azad Maidan, the seat of anti-corruption protests in Mumbai. While early in the day, some protesters who had signed up for a bike and car rally scheduled to take off from Azad Maidan and wind up at Hazare's village of Ralegan Siddhi, defied pouring rain to be there, most others couldn't make it. More than 87 bikes and 30 cars had registered for the rally, but only four bikes and two cars made it to the venue. The rest, said Vivek Khandelwal, one of the organisers, would join the group from Sion, Dadar and Panvel.


First reactions from Hazare's supporters when news of a voice-vote in
Parliament broke at Azad Maidan. They have been fasting for the last 11
days. pics/Bipin Kokate

Trupti Golam and husband John were there bright and early. "We are going to ride to Anna's village. If the Jan Lokpal resolution gets the Parliament's nod, it will turn into a victory rally," she said. It was afternoon but the rain did not relent. Hazare's supporters kept pouring into the tent where others were staging a fast, to keep themselves dry. Jamuna Paigaonkar, 27, a tuition teacher had arrived from Chembur to experience Hazare's victory with his supporters. "I couldn't resist coming," she smiled. Fifty five year-old banker Pranab Chawla said, "I wasn't around during India's freedom struggle but this feels like the second one."

Nervous excitement and sloganeering filled the air by 3 pm, as news of a voice-vote in Parliament started making rounds. While some sang songs of freedom, others were glued to their phones, checking their Twitter accounts for Lok Sabha updates.

But it was a long wait for the crowd as Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee moved a motion for a resolution on the Lokpal Bill only late evening, on the three demands made by the septuagenarian activist and members of people's group India Against Corruption.u00a0u00a0"It's certainly a victory of the people's moment, a victory of civil society. It's public participation that has led to this moment; every individual around the country has contributed in his own way. It is a new history for a new future," said social activist and Hazare supporter Medha Patkar over the phone from New Delhi after the house was adjourned following "a sense of the House" being achieved and Parliament accepting "in principle" Hazare's three key demands.

But the absence of a voice-vote that had been publicised through the media left Hazare supporters and panelists on live television debates baffled. At 8 pm, Azad Maidan wore a deserted look with protestors dispersing. A disappointed Dheeraj Rambhia, one of the organisers, said, "The government is making a fool of our country on a global platform. It is indeed sad that they promise one thing and retract the next minute."
It took a while for experts to clarify that instead of a voice-vote, the parliamentarians displayed their agreement by thumping their tables.

Allahaudin Sheikh, Trustee and Secretary, Bhrashtachar Virodhi Janaandolan said, "We are happy Anna will break his fast tomorrow. We are planning to organise a grand celebration at Azad Maidan." Mayank Gandhi, Coordinator of Indian Against Corruption, Mumbai, said, "Despite initial opposition, the politicians have shown maturity in Parliament. It is victory of democracy." Gandhi said they were planning a rally from Borivli to Azad Maidan that would coincide with Hazare breaking his fast.