He cheated on Anna... for a cause, of course

While the world’s eyes were fixed on Anna Hazre and his fast, an IITian among the Gandhian’s backroom boys quietly continued his indefinite fast even as he slogged in hot and humid weather surviving only on water.

Twenty seven-year-old Gopal Mohan, who was in charge of logistics at Ramlila Maidan, started his fast on August 16 when Anna started his fast and broke his fast secretly Sunday morning with coconut water when Anna broke his fast on stage.

Only people close to him knew that he was on fast as Anna had strictly asked people in the team who are working not to fast.

“I have been working with Arvind Kejriwal for the past two and a half years and have been a part of the Lokpal movement since its beginning. I had fasted from April 5 to 9 at Jantar Mantar. It was difficult to fast while working in the heat but it was all for a pure and just cause,” Gopal Mohan, a scientist, told DNA.

Asked about his stressful and strenuous work schedule and fights with demanding visitors and media, he said: “It was very demanding but I like it. I drank a lot of water to handle the stress and keep myself fit. Due to so much of work I did not sleep for the last 13 days.”

His father retired as a director-level official from Union government. But his love for social service is not newly acquired. He said he has received two president medals and three primer minister medals for social service. Besides, he has also won gold at international level in Scouts and Guides.

An electronic engineering graduate, Mohan did his post graduation in embedded systems and has just completed his PhD from IIT Delhi.

“I had taken off from my work to take part in the fast from August 16. But the battle is only half won till now. If Anna sits on fast again, I will again come for volunteering and fast with him,” added Mohan, who last around 7.5 kilograms during the last 13 days.

During the protests in Delhi in the last 13 days, he was detained by the Delhi Police seven times. He, however, says he will cherish every moment as it was for a special cause.