By IANS,
New Delhi : The carpets were rolled and the marquee taken down as sweepers cleaned the roads near Jantar Mantar of paper plates, glasses and soiled posters as the five-day agitation led by reformer Anna Hazare ended Saturday on a happy note.
People from across the country, who had gathered at the capital’s historic landmark that turned into the epicentre of the agitation against corruption, were seen packing their bags. They promised to return if they were needed again.
Hazare ended his 97-hour fast earlier in the morning after the government announced a 10-member committee, which will include civil society leaders, to draft the Lokpal (ombudsman) Bill and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issued a statement promising that the bill would be introduced in parliament this July.
“We worked hard to achieve this milestone. It is indeed historic and the credit goes to Anna sahib and the media,” said Santoj Mishra, who arrived here from Bihar Tuesday when the agitation began.
Another protestor, Balki Kumari, had come with her parents and brother from Rajasthan and was happy about the victory.
“This is a proof that if the ordinary man decides to fight, he will win. This is the victory of the ‘aam aadmi’ (common man) of the country,” said Kumari, 23, as she packed her bag and was all set to return home.
However, all of them stressed that if the need arose and Hazare called upon them, they would not hesitate to return to the capital.
“We will do whatever Anna Sahib tells us to, he is our guiding light,” said Hari Prasad, an electrician from Ghazaiabad.
Agreed Mishra. “If the government tries to act smart or backtracks from its commitment, we’ll come back for sure,” he said.
“Next time the protests will be on such a large scale that the government won’t be able to handle the situation,” warned the 40-year-old.