Baba Ramdev's hunger strike at Delhi's Ramleela Maidan may be big news, but the show of support by his followers at Azad Maidan looks like a bad imitation of Anna Hazare's India Against Corruption protest nearly two months ago. Hazare's strike may have attracted fewer people but was more focussed than the one for Ramdev on Saturday.
Bharat Swabhiman Maharashtra members and Baba Ramdev's followers
at an Azad Maidan pandal. They are seeking signatures from a thousand
anti-graft campaigners. Pic/ Sameer Markande
The gathering seemed more interested in accumulating numbers than in staging an actual protest. The crowd was mostly made up of Ramdev's followers, who cheered religious leaders hogging the microphone and yelling religious and spiritual slogans.
Organisers claim that over 5,500 people had pledged support till evening on Saturday. Most people fasting or supporting the fast were 40 year olds and above, and children, who had come along with their parents.
Hardly any youngsters were seen near the pandal where people were fasting. According to Dr Kiran Patil, Thane District head for Patanjali Trust, the NGO run by Ramdev, "Many youngsters think Swami Ramdev has called a meeting to start a political party. But we expect the news about his hunger strike against corruption to inspire more youngsters to join us."
Sawailal Munjpara (73) has decided to fast for a day and claims he will continue to fast every alternate day. "I have brought clothes with me and have decided that if needed, I will stay here. When I am not fasting, I will be one of the support staff. Similarly, those who are not fasting today are acting as support staff and will fast tomorrow.
His son Virendra has decided to fast till Ramdev declares that his goal has been achieved. Others like Ravindra Pawar (60), Rambahu Bevalkar (60) and Aditay Rathi (67) had braved the monsoon to support Ramdev's cause. Rathi said, "People who do not support corruption are here, and who do not get affected aren't."
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