By IANS,
Agra : Students, teachers, businessmen… people from various walks of life were out on streets of Agra Wednesday, pledging their support for Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption campaign.
Many schools and colleges remained closed as students marched to Shahid Smarak at Sanjay Place. The Agra Facebook page was full of support messages while SMSes venting out anger against the government were doing the rounds.
At most crossings from Bhagwan Talkies to Pratab Pura Chauraha on MG Road — the lifeline of the city — people were staging protests.
“The teachers are agitated, the black bands are all over. People are waiting for the central government to act. The solidarity of teachers and students is complete,” Vikas Pandit, a lecturer at Agra University, told IANS.
People in Achnera, Etmadpur, Bah, Pinahat and many other small towns were organising marches.
The Agra Pharma Association, National Chamber of Industries and Commerce, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) Agra chapter, the Agra Cloth Mecantile Association, the Agra Bar, Bharat Vikas Parishad, Agra Public Carriers Association, and dozens of other groups have joined the campaign.
The university offices wore a deserted looks. The courts were deserted as lawyers stayed away. “The middle class has woken up. The IT professionals, the fired youth, they are all out there shouting slogans, committing to work for Anna. It’s a ‘Rang De Basanti’ scenario,” said social activist Sudhir Gupta.
The tourists at Taj Mahal and other monuments were amused and were seen asking questions.
Hazare was jailed Tuesday ahead of his fast for an effective anti-corruption law.
The Delhi Police action led to protests across the country. The government later released Hazare but he refused to move out of the jail until he was allowed to carry on his hunger-strike without any conditions.