Protesters from all over India gathered at New Delhi in support of anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare's fifteen day hunger strike to force the government to take action against the heavy corruption rampant in India. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lashed out against the protest, saying that Hazare was trying to circumvent democracy. Hazare was arrested prior to the start of his hunger strike but refused to leave jail until he was given permission to hold his protest in New Delhi park for an indefinite period of time.- Photos by agencies
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Ajay
Aug 18, 2011 03:58pm
I support Anna and Lokpal...but more then that i am on street because i am against the corruptions of this UPA government...i always wanted to come out on streets against this but could not...but today i am using Anna agenda as a plat form....and in this if we get the Lokpal passed then well and good.
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Vinod Puri
Aug 18, 2011 04:53pm
Anna Hazare has definitely captured the imagination of Indians. Corruption affects everyone and Indians seem to be looking for a 'magic' wand which will fix the problem. But if a fasting old man starts to dictate to the democratically elected members of parliament to make laws, is that democratic? This is the hard question that Indians need to answer to themselves. Comparing Hazare's fast to Gandhi's reveals that Gandhi never made demands like Hazare.
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Shashank
Aug 18, 2011 05:40pm
The Congress would never want a strong Lok Pal Bill because among the most corrupt are close to the Gandhi Family. Sonia's son-in-law Robert Vadra may be the first in line of fire due to his dubious rise from being a dealer of imitation jewellery to a partner in India's largest realty company alongwith ownership of many cash rich companies and lease of mines allotted in gross violation of procedures.
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Shiv
Aug 18, 2011 06:28pm
We are with Anna, because we want a strong Lok Bill to remove corruption from the society. Unless we pressurise the Govt., the Govt. will not let clear the bill as it is afraid of being caught of its own mischeivious activities.
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Deepak S
Aug 18, 2011 06:36pm
i regularly deal with government departments as part of my profession and you are laughed at and made to look like a fool if you dont pay up..and then you are respected and praised like a leader if you go and straightaway put a packet of currency on the table..am fed up of this..this is finally eating into our budget somewhere..but aint we ourselves to blame? why do we hang around a minister if he comes to our locality? why we all want to proudly hang our photo with a minister in our shop/factory/drawing room? where are we leading to ??? do we have guts to tell a minister ..sir.please go and do your work rightly..otherwise we wont vote you next time.
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Baba Hindustani
Aug 18, 2011 07:09pm
It is not surprising that the call to root out corruption has finally come. This is the maturing of democracy before India is recognised as a relaible country in the comity of nations. The Anna route of making the Lokpal central to his scheme of things is to my mind the wrong one but I will take it as it has galvanised the nation against corruption. It has nothing to do with this government, it is against all politicians and people at large who had made corruption an accepted way of life. Will the Indian mindset change and will we become the desired nation of peace and amity? time will tell but I pray it does. It will reflect across the region as a whole and that can only be good.
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MANISH KUMAR
Aug 18, 2011 07:11pm
there is a clear debate whether anna's way to fight against corruption is democratic or not......but if you follow the history democracy also has its own flaw thats why corrupt people take advantages become MP, MLA join police, civil service or any government job just to earn money by dubious means......now if ANNA is also taking advantage of that flaw in democracy than its good because it will make system improved.......and new revolutionary changes will arise
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Rohidas Raut
Aug 18, 2011 08:00pm
Eradication of corruption, no problem but the way Anna and his men are agitating cant be supported.Anna and his men cant impose their tems on the govt.That is dectatorial attitude ignoring and undermining the Parliament and the constitution. Every sane person should think over the very propriety of the Anna agitation.
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sam
Aug 18, 2011 08:19pm
I love this article..... not because it showed the cause.... I dont even know what it means to Pakistan... but because it showed my state capital Bhubaneshwar.... Same here in Bangalore.....
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Jalaluddin S. Hussai
Aug 18, 2011 08:53pm
As a Canadian Pakistani I wish all success to Anna Hazare in his crusade and sincerely hope that a stringent Bill, which incorporates the main demands of Indian public, to check rampant corruption, is passed by the Indian parliament.
The anti-corruption movement of India will surely have a very positive impact on the rampant corruption in Pakistan, also.
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Harsha Bardhan
Aug 18, 2011 09:14pm
Political system has failed to deliver. While it is working at humangous cost at the same time it is delivering too little too late.
It needs a change.
People are powerless and frustrated.
They are seing light of hope in Anna Hazaare.
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Rajendra
Aug 18, 2011 11:07pm
How Anna Hazare's movement is viewed in Pakistan?
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Amit
Aug 18, 2011 11:11pm
Hi,
To all my Pakistani brothers and sisters. Please do the Anna and try to get yourself free from corruption.
Come on India, Come on Pakistan. Do the Anna, Do the Gandhigiri and I am sure you will have Pakistan which Mr. Jinnah had visioned but your bad leaders had made it worst.
All the best.
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Rajesh
Aug 19, 2011 12:09am
As a developing country we have burden of poverty, inequality and these problems indirectly or directly relate to corruption. In India the Anna Hazare has taken step forward to start peaceful movement towards corruption free india. Its not voilent protest, its peaceful protest against corruption so stand up and support. No one will force you until you will decide to stand up for your right to be citizen of corrupt free nation.
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Sanjay Tulankar
Aug 19, 2011 12:18am
Mr.Anna Hazare is expecting India to be free from corruption. His intensions are good and appreciable. However, Corruption is deeply rooted problem in Indian society. I am afraid that introduction of LOKPAL BILL will solve the problem of corruption. Nevertheless, I appreciate the movement initiated by Anna Hazare and support him. Also appeal all Indians to participate in the movement as it is going to be beneficial for future generations.
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Lakshmi
Aug 19, 2011 02:40am
Anna Hazare.. You are great... Every country should have a leader like you..
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Venkatachala Sreeniv
Aug 19, 2011 03:38am
People are supporting not a person but a revolution against corruption. And Anna has galvanized them to protest and made them realize they are the masters and elected government officials their servants. The politicians will resist any measure which will expose their illgotton wealth by corrupt practice and a tremendous public demand is needed to overcome their resistence. Contrary to what the politicians are saying Anna has strengthened democracy in India.
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Devendra Sharma
Aug 19, 2011 04:16am
It is said that charity starts from home....So why don't we start it ourself that starting from today I will not bribe any one for getting my work done and will not be bribed too, will go to the office/at work on time and will do the job with full honesty.
The question is this that how many of us who are standing with Anna hazare can do this?
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wally walter
Aug 19, 2011 11:43am
Can we ask other way round ? What has the parliamentarians done for past 64 years to arrest corruption, to be transparent, to demonstrate good governance ? How many members elected now had been a role model ? I frankly dont think it is dictatorship over the members or the house. It is the anger amongst the public which is coming out on its own and not driven by any political party.
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anil
Aug 19, 2011 12:09pm
All countries which were once India or part of the Mughal empire serioulsy needs people like Anna since their ruling class are elitist and totally corrupt and this class also includes the guys in military , security services , judiciary etc etc . no wonder all this countries have so much of problems and human misery and to top it criminals masquerading as religious zealots .
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Nagaraj
Aug 19, 2011 02:35pm
Most of the Political class is against Jan Lokpal Bill for the reasons known to their hearts the best. Congress party, which wrongly boasts of winning independence for India, has been in forefront to defeat Jan Lokpal. Good old "forign hand" logic has been applied to present anticorruption movement to detail it.
One more thing is, ex congress men are being attacket. For example, CBI is conducting contrywide raid on Jaganmohan Reddy's assets. Why this was not done when he was in congress party ? .
Baba Ramdev and his aide are under CBI scanner for asking Government to bring back money parked in Swiss Banks.
A systematic witch hunting is being carried out by Congress party.
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Manish
Aug 19, 2011 03:17pm
I think if Pakistanis dont think gandhi as there ideal of ahimsa, They can learn from KHAN ABDUL GAFFAR KHAN (a great leader who fought with ahimsa) and can start peacefull agitation there too as Pakistan's health is not better than India.
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Prasad
Aug 19, 2011 04:13pm
To all Indians writing,
Why are some Indians preaching to Pakistanis here? Sure Pakistan has its own problems but let them take care of it. From what I understand from my Pakistani friends, corruption is not as bad there as it is in India. As a matter of fact, I don't think it is this bad in any country except may be in some sub-saharan countires. So let us stop preaching and fix our broken house first.
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Mukesh K
Aug 19, 2011 04:36pm
I agree. Stop preaching to others. We should mind our own business. Every society has its own way to bring change in it.
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Pakistani
Aug 19, 2011 05:50pm
very positively, maybe people have objection the way Anna Hazare team putting it pressure like that on Gov. no one can argue on the eradication of the corruption in any form where ever it exists in the society.......
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Pakistani
Aug 19, 2011 05:57pm
Mr. Prasad.....Problems are same everywhere specially in India, Pakistan. so i don't find its wrong to discuss with each other if we convey our problems n thinking or suggestions then i don't find any harm in that, rather it shows your concern for us and our's for you... n it gives a positive vibe that after getting separated even after 60 years or so.. still we are dealings with same things and we are wishing each other luck and success for their betterment of each other's society... Greetings for my Indian bro and sis from across the border !
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Babylonian
Aug 19, 2011 06:05pm
Sir. Anna Hazare we wish you luck in your noble 'cause
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Nagaraj
Aug 20, 2011 12:25pm
Agree to your first point to not to preach Pakistan. The equations in every Country are different and need different approach. What applies to one country may not suit to the other country.
But, Your second point compares India and Pakistan. The comparison cannot be made oving to the same fact stated above.
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Rajat Sachdeva
Aug 25, 2011 09:27am
My allll ANNA suppoter we wish you a best of luck you are going in the right sid of ur track we all are here with GANDHI NAGAR ASSOCIATION pvt. society NEW DELHI-110031
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