BHOPAL-Four supporters of Anna Hazare have been on a hunger protest since August 16 demanding immediate adoption of the Jan Lokpal Bill. The hunger strike by a social worker, a BSNL employee, a public works contractor and an owner of an event management company entered the tenth day on Thursday. "I have accepted Anna as my guru. When 74-year-old Anna can fast against corruption, why can't I remain hungry for a few days for my country?'' said 28-year-old Sishir Agarwal, owner of an event management company.
Sharad Singh Kumre (40) was employed as a manager at the Madhya Pradesh Village Industries Department. In 2001, Kumre lost his sister Bindu in a terror attack at the Srinagar airport. "My sister was a constable in the CRPF. When she was killed, I gave up my government job to serve the society. I have organised blood donation campaigns and held programmes in memory of freedom fighters,'' he said.
When Anna Hazare announced his movement for the Lokpal Bill, Sharad Kumre was the first person in Bhopal to come out in support. "I was told by civil society member Arvind Kejriwal to lead the movement in Bhopal. I was joined by three others from different walks of life. We are really overwhelmed by the massive support of the people. I am honoured to be a part of this movement,'' he said.
Vipin Kothari (48) is an engineer with the BSNL. He knows that joining Anna Hazare's protest could cost him his job, but he has been fasting since August 16. "My country is more important for me than the job. I was enraged when I heard union minister Kapil Sibal justifying police action on peaceful protestors and Baba Ramdev at the Ramlila Maidan in June. The centre is shielding corrupt persons and threatening those who are raising their voice against dishonesty. My grandfather Sajjan Singh Kothari was a freedom fighter and went to jail during the independence movement. It is important to carry forward his legacy,'' he added.
Amar Singh Parmar (31) is a private contractor and has worked on several government projects. He also contested the municipal elections as an independent candidate from ward number 53. "I know how fatal corruption is for this country. I have witnessed the power of corrupt people, and as a contractor I know that the quotation for a tender gets acceptance only through bribery. For a caste certificate, I had to pay Rs 5,000 as bribe. When we complain against corrupt engineers, the ministers don't take action. Every man in this country has bribed government employees. Joining Anna's movement will help us wash away our sins. That is why I am on fast,'' he said