HYDERABAD: There was a time when thousands of candles set alight the Hussainsagar and slogans and songs reverberated across the Tank Bund.Many had sat on fast too. All in one voice demanding an end to corruption. That was a couple of months ago when social activist Anna Hazare went on a hunger strike in New Delhi demanding a strong Jan Lokpal Bill.On Sunday, when Anna Hazare once again undertook a symbolic fast in Delhi with the same demand, the response to the Gandhian’s call in the twin cities was lukewarm at best.If the demonstration in the city on Sunday is any reflection of public mood, ‘I am Anna’ is not so much fashionable anymore. Though rallies were scheduled at early morning, Sunday morning began on a dull note.At a rally organised by Anna Hazare Jan Lokapal Committee, a single person turned up at the venue, dressed as Anna and carrying a flag. An hour later, the activist began wondering whether his friends would let him down. A while after that, a few people poured in and the rally was taken out from the Ambedkar Statue at the Tank Bund.Speaking to Express, Anna Hazare Jan Lokapal Committee founder-member Rangaiah Goud quickly sought to downplay the poor response. “Preparations are being made to welcome Anna during his visit to Hyderabad on December 19 and a large gathering would be present to welcome him,” he assured.At the Indira Park, the India Against Corruption protest site too lacked the vibrancy of its earlier protests. By mid-day, hardly 10 protestors turned up.The ‘Kolaveri’ trend caught up with the Lokpal protest too.Replacing the line ‘why this Kolaveri’ with ‘I want Lokpal’, the handful of protestors amused themselves for some time. Asked about the public apathy to their cause, Manali Reddy, resident doctor at the Apollo Hospitals and a member of India Against Corruption, felt it was probably because many students have exams in schools, colleges at present.What about all the controversies that team Anna has landed itself in of late? “Well, none of them have been proved. Also, if a team member does something wrong, the government can address their case separately instead of holding that as an excuse not to pass the Lokpal bill,” replied Manali adding that IAC’s commitment is to the bill and they would not lose their focus on controversies surrounding members.Are people still willing to fight for the bill? “Expecting people to be present at every protest is not right. The point is that after the movement started by Anna Hazare, everyone is aware of the problem. They know Anna Hazare and they know they do not want corruption as a way of life,” adds the member.As the Kolaveri song played in the background, a number of auto-wallahs lined up in the hope of striking a good bargain. But apparently, the drivers had no idea what the protest was all about. When asked what he feels about the anti-corruption movement started by Anna, Akshay, one of the auto drivers, replied, “Kaun hai woh? Mujhe maaloom nahi (Who is he? I have no idea.).”He is aware that a lot of talk is happening regarding corruption. He hopes justice will be done. But his immediate focus is to get passengers.
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