Activist’s detention sparks protests in India

Anna Hazare began fasting in custody after police arrested him at home to stop the planned public hunger strike in a New Delhi park, which was certain to embarrass India’s scandal-plagued government.

Hazare’s demand for tougher anti-corruption laws has galvanised Indians fed up with the bribery and favouritism that has infested government at all levels, preventing progress in addressing the gap between rich and poor.

Across the nation, thousands of people rallied with placards calling for a “revolution against corruption” and taunting authorities to “please arrest me”. Some donned white caps resembling Hazare’s with the words “I am Anna Hazare” scrawled in Hindi and English on them.

The 73-year-old social activist, clad in simple white clothes, has become an anti-corruption icon by channelling the tactics of Mahatma Gandhi. He had planned the fast weeks ago to press for stronger legislation to create an anti-corruption watchdog, after successfully holding a four-day fast in April to demand a draft law.

Police rejected his protest plans after organisers refused to limit the number of fasting days and participants, Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said.

“Protests are perfectly permissible and welcome, but it must be under reasonable conditions,” he said.

Hazare waved at TV cameras outside his home as he was driven away to a police mess hall. His supporters then released a video appeal that he had recorded before his arrest.

“My dear countrymen, the second freedom struggle has begun, and now I have also been arrested. But will this movement be stopped by my arrest? No, not at all. Don’t let it happen,” he said.

The hunger strikes have catapulted the issue of India’s culture of corruption to the top of TV news bulletins and inspired others to fast in solidarity.

Yesterday, supporters protested in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Hazare’s supporters called for government workers to show solidarity by going on strike today.