People across India support Hazare's fight against corruption

Bangalore/Kanpur/Gurgaon, Aug.15 (ANI): People across the country are coming out in open support of the movement launched by social activist Anna Hazare.

Protesting against the government's decision to impose over 20 conditions on Hazare to allow him to go on a fast-unto-death from August 16, they said it was unreasonable and undemocratic.

"We are protesting against the conditions imposed by the central government to hold the protest by Anna Hazare (social activist). UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government at the centre (federal) is stifling the jest voices. It is using repressive methods to curb the agitation which is conducted to oppose the corruption. This is a very bad trend they are doing. Authoritative rule and the dictatorial attitude of UPA government, we are condemning (it). We demand that the protest and other things cannot be held ...... The parties concerned will decide how the agitation has to be held and it is our fundamental right," said a supporter in Bangalore.

In Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, people burnt an effigy of Manish Tiwari, a spokesperson of the Congress party, for making derogatory remarks against Hazare.

Pratap Sachan, a supporter of Hazare, said that if any political party made derogatory remarks against Anna Hazare, then the concerned political party will have to face severe consequences.

"After burning the effigy of the spokesperson of India's ruling Congress party, Manish Tiwari, we have tried to warn that if any political party tries to make wrong and defaming statements against Anna Hazare, who initiated to act against corruption, then supporters of Anna Hazare will take action against the members of Congress party in Uttar Pradesh," said Sachan.

While the civil society representatives including Hazare and his team are garnering public support against the government's draft bill, the government is in a rush to get the bill passed in the Parliament.

Corruption and a series of graft cases have proven to be the key issue plaguing the Congress party -led federal government.

In Gurgaon, Haryana, people also protested against government for putting conditions on the protest.

Supporters lit candles on streets and raised their voice against corruption.

"We are protesting against the conditions imposed by the central government to hold the protest by Anna Hazare (social activist). UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government at the centre (federal) is stifling the jest voices. It is using repressive methods to curb the agitation which is conducted to oppose the corruption. This is a very bad trend they are doing. Authoritative rule and the dictatorial attitude of UPA government, we are condemning (it). We demand that the protest and other things cannot be held ...... The parties concerned will decide how the agitation has to be held and it is our fundamental right," said a supporter in Bangalore.

The final meeting between the government and the civil society representatives on the drafting of the bill had ended on June 22, with differences on six key issues such as including the post of Prime Minister, the higher echelons of judiciary and acts of Members of Parliaments inside the Parliament, under the purview of the Lokpal.

The civil society members also differed with the government over the mode of selection of the Ombudsman panel and removal of its members.

Graft has long been a part of daily life in India, but a series of recent scandals - which include violations in granting telecom licences that cost the country $39 billion in lost revenue - are unprecedented.

People protested against United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for imposing conditions on Hazare's fast-unto-death strike beginning on August 16.(ANI)