Punekars failed to turn out in large numbers and support the anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare enthusiastically on the first day of his three-day fast in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Unlike the large crowds that were seen during Anna’s fast in August, the India Against Corruption (IAC) pandal on the river bed in Deccan, wore a deserted look. Other similar events organised across the city also saw very few participants.
During the 12-day fast conducted by Hazare in August, thousands of citizens had taken to the streets with a rare zeal. Software professionals and students had congregated on the footpath opposite the Balgandharva Rangmandir in large numbers then. Also, during the candle light marches conducted in August, more than 30,000 people had participated.
However, the deserted pandal on the river bed, in Deccan, told a tale of its own. Activists Vijay Kumbhar, Vivek Velankar, Jugal Rathi, KD Pawar and others were present on the dias. Otherwise, majority of the chairs at the venue were empty during the morning and evening.
IAC (Pune) volunteer Deepak Bharadia explained the poor turnout by attributing it to the vacation season and volunteers going to Mumbai.
The freeze mob campaign organised in Aundh and the rally organised in Hadapsar were also thinly attended.
Activist Jugal Rathi said the poor attendance could be partially due to the success of the divide and rule policy of the government, which saw Dalit leaders and some other political parties parting ways with the movement. “Also, it has been observed that during the repeat of movements, the public presence normally thins out,’’ he added.
While Bharadia and Rathi blamed the general apathy of the people for the sparse attendance, volunteers citied infighting amongst the city branch of IAC and presence of political leaders on the stage as the reason for people choosing to stay away from the venues. At the venue on the river bed, the presence of corporator Datta Khade, who has been convicted in a murder case, was frowned upon by many.
Bharadia, when questioned about Khade’s presence, said, “We did not allow him to share the stage. In fact, he had helped us in clearing the dharna site at a short notice.’’
Kumbhar said he was unaware of Khade’s presence on the stage and blamed the IAC organising committee for allowing him to share the stage. “The organising committee should have exercised caution in allowing people to share the stage,’’ he said.
Citizen activist Sushil Kumar explained the probable lack of communication between the IAC teams as the cause of the poor attendance.
On Wednesday, Anna’s supporters have organised ‘Occupy Shaniwarwada’ campaign at 5.30 pm to express solidarity with
the anti-corruption crusader’s fast.
