KOCHI: As the political thermometer is rising around the country over Anna Hazare’s arrest, citizens from in and around Kochi came out in full support of the massive anti-corruption movement on Tuesday. Dharnas and satyagrahas across the district gained momentum as people from all walks of society flowed in to participate. Peaceful protests were held at Kacherippadi, Trippunithura, Kaladi and Aluva. The Anti-Corruption People’s Movement, which led the protests in Kochi, was backed by organisations such as the National Ex-servicemen Coordination Committee (NExCC), Madhya Nirodhana Samiti, Bharat Vikas Parishad, Pravasi Rajasthani Sangh, and the like.At Gandhi Bhavan, Kacherippady, around 150 citizens, including advocates, ex-servicemen, Gandhians and housewives participated in the sathyagraha which started at 9 am on Tuesday. It was led by P C Cyriac, a former IAS official. The other prominent participants included advocate John Joseph, advocate Shaijan Joseph, V P Achuthan, advocate M R Rajendran Nair and C G Rajagopal. Prof V P G Marar, Coordination committee chairman of the Azhimathi Virudha Samiti, stated that the demonstration would continue as long as the protests in Delhi last. He added that although there were no plans to observe fasting as of now, many people are coming forward to hold hunger strikes. “As soldiers, we had taken an oath to save the country even if it meant losing our lives. As ex-servicemen, we are still fighting to save our country from our own internal enemy-corruption,” said V S John, deputy chairman, NExCC. “More than supporting Anna Hazare, I support his clean and peaceful method of fighting against the ugliness of corruption. It is very important that everybody, including the Prime Minister and even the military, come under the Lokpal Bill so that the procedures can take place in a transparent manner. Though we all know that corruption cannot be wiped out overnight, this is the time to come out of your shells and fight for a clean and transparent government,” said Rtd. Captain Padmanabhan of Akila Bharat Purv Sainik Sena Parishad, who was participating in one of the dharnas. Kalpana Ganapathy, a housewife who was participating in the Sathyagraha held at Kacherippady, said that she had come because she could not just sit peacefully at home and let Anna Hazare fast for the welfare of the rest of the country.Social Outfits Comeout in ProtestA number of social organisations and NGOs in and around Kochi conducted meets and dharnas in support of Hazare’s movement. The Bharatheeya Abhibhashaka Parishad took an anti-corruption oath at the Gandhi Circle near the Durbar Hall in the city. Kerala High Court Advocates Association president Thomas Abraham, advocate Kaleeswaram Raj, Bar Council member Nagaresh, advocates K R Rajkumar, A R Gangadas, V Gireesan, Manmadhan and P L Babu spoke. The RTI Kerala Federation condemned the arrest of Anna Hazare and others who took part in the Lokpal Bill campaign. The Federation in association with various organisations like the Anti- Corruption Peoples Movement organised protest demonstrations at various parts of the city. Federation general secretary advocate D B Binu addressed a gathering in the city.The activists of the Anti-Corruption Peoples Movement (ACPM) staged a dharna at Statue Junction, Tripunithura, extending support to the Anna Hazare movement. The members of the ACPM headed by president K Sarojam staged the dharna holding placards and raising slogans against corruption. We have been planning a systematic programme to react against Corruption, said N P Satheeshan Menon, an active member of ACPM. “On the Quit India Day we staged a rally against corruption. In future also we will do our best to eradicate corruption from society,” he said.
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