Crowds swell on Day 2

CHENNAI:  Hundreds of students from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, joined hands with volunteers from other colleges and the public in general for a candlelight vigil in the city on Wednesday in support of Anna Hazare’s call for an indefinite fast demanding a strong Lokpal Bill.The venue at Thiruvanmiyur was filled with patriotic fervour as volunteers of India against Corruption, who organised the protest, welcomed people with national flags at the entrance. Youth walked around waving the Tricolour, while elders at the fast venue raised slogans in support of Hazare holding aloft the flag. Chants of Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata Ki Jai filled the air.The venue, which had hosted around 200 people on the first day of the protest, saw a swell in the crowd, as at least 400 people descended there on Day Two. Many of the supporters joined the protest during their office break or after office hours.Bhavana Upadhyaya, a volunteer with India Against Corruption, said 36 people were on an indefinite fast on the second day. Two of the protestors withdrew their fast due to health problems, while one was admitted in a nearby hospital. “Support on online forum for the protest has increased from 9,000 to 20,000 on a single day,” added Bhavana, coordinating with two young volunteers, who were busily updating every single moment on Facebook and Twitter.Though one group managed to reach the venue, the police detained the other vehicle. They were later released after the intervention of the volunteers.Film actor Sarath Kumar expressed support to the protest. BJP leader Tamizhisai Soundarajan also visited the venue and extended her party’s support.Ramesh (25), a software professional, and Pradeep (24), a visual communication student, justified their support to Hazare’s movement, saying though there were many leaders in Tamil Nadu, none had come out openly against corruption.’“DMDK leader Vijayakanth entered politics making rhetorics against corruption. But we have never seen him in action against corruption,” they said.However, a few protestors were worried about low participation from people from all walks of life. “We don’t know if it is due to the influence of the anti-Hindi movement, but only a few people from the working class participated in the protest,” said some participants.