By IANS,
New Delhi: Team Anna members staged a protest at the Ramlila ground here Tuesday but the crowds in no way matched the tens of thousands who thronged it when Anna Hazare fasted in August.
Hazare confidants Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan sat at the Ramlila ground in solidarity with Hazare’s three-day hunger strike in Mumbai.
Holding tricolours and banners, protesters at the ground raised slogans demanding a strong Lokpal bill while watching on large screens the live footage of Hazare’s protest in Mumbai.
Organisers blamed Delhi’s cold weather and Hazare’s absence for the poor crowd response at Ramlila ground.
“These two factors definitely affected the protest… We still anticipate more people to join,” an India Against Corruption (IAC) activist said.
A police officer put the number of people at the ground at around 1,000. In August the Ramlila ground was packed with thousands when Hazare fasted. On a Sunday, an estimated 100,000 people had thronged the venue.
India Against Corruption’s core committee members Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan, Gopal Rai are also on fast for three days with Anna Hazare.
Supporters holding the Indian flag and shouting slogans of “Vande Mataram” and “Inqilab zindabad” were seen applauding while watching live footage of Hazare’s address at Munbai.
Less enthusiastic and fewer number of supporters of Hazare were present, wearing Anna signature caps that read “I am Anna”. The speeches delivered by activists did not arouse much response from the assembled few.
Realising that the chilly winter and Hazare’s absence might prove a dampner, the organisers had made arrangements for live musical band to entertain the people.
Unlike August, fewer number of school and college students were there to join Bhushans’ fast.
Team Anna urged students and youth to join them in the “Jail Bharo Andolan” on Dec 30 and turn up in large crowds to protest outside the homes of MPs.
However, the police had no inkling the gathering would be poor and had made good bandobust. Around 200 Delhi Police personnel were deputed at the venue from early Tuesday morning, said a senior police official.
The official said that three reserved battalions, including a women police platoon, have been stationed at the Ramlila ground.
Kamla Market police Station House Officer (SHO) Pramod said that six door-frame metal detectors have been installed at three entry gates, separately for VIPs, general public and media persons.
“The police personnel have been frisking with six hand-held metal detectors at the entry gates to avoid any untoward incident. Around 20 CCTV cameras have been installed inside and outside the ground by Delhi Police,” said the official.
Finding the crowd thin, the police opened only one gate.
The venue seemed more crowded with media persons and police officials outnumbering supporters of Hazare.