Mumbai anti-graft gathering attracts thousands
By IANSSunday, January 30, 2011
MUMBAI - Thousands gathered at the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai Sunday to protest corruption while marking the 63rd death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The march that took place simultaneously in 60 cities across India was led by eminent people from all walks of life.
“In Mumbai, it was more of a gathering of people who were sick of growing corruption in public offices,” said a member of the organising committee.
Several social organisations had joined together to revamp the proposed anti-corruption bill that seeks to create an independent, empowered, transparent and accountable anti-corruption agency called Lokpal.
“The idea is to put pressure on the government to enact citizen’s draft bill,” a spokesperson from the Mumbai organising committee said.
Large number of college students, professionals from the corporate sector, teachers, government employees, lawyers, doctors and others participated in the gathering.
In Maharashtra, the rally also took place in Pune, starting from Fergusson College gate and terminating at Sambhaji Park, and in Aurangabad, starting from Kranti Chowk and terminating at Paithan Gate.
“Planning for this rally started as a small exercise sometime in mid December. The rally was initially being planned only in Delhi. But once it was put up on the social networking site Facebook, it gained momentum,” the spokesperson said.
