Hazare's supporters hit the streets

On the eve of the second meeting of the joint Lokpal Bill drafting committee, social activist Anna Hazare's supporters held a rally here today demanding early implementation of a strong Ombudsmen legislation.

On the eve of the second meeting of the joint Lokpal Bill drafting committee, social activist Anna Hazare's supporters held a rally here today demanding early implementation of a strong Ombudsmen legislation.

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Scores of people marched from Jantar Mantar, where Hazare had observed his hunger strike on the Lokpal Bill issue, to India Gate.

"We've had enough of dilly-dallying. When one controversy gets over, another one begins. These are tactics by people with vested interests to prevent the implementation of a strong bill," said 19-year-old Amita Peter, a student of Delhi University.

Placards carrying anti-corruption slogans, people wearing bandanas pledging support to the cause, flyers urging people to join the "mass movement"-the rally was reminiscent of Hazare's protest that caught the imagination of the entire nation a few weeks back, though on a smaller scale.

"This rally is much smaller than the protest Annaji held. We are holding this just to remind people that the cause is still not lost. Out fight against corruption is still on. Civil society is still backing the proposed law," said 24-year-old Banjot Kaur, a journalist.

The Joint Drafting Committee, comprising five Union ministers and as many representatives of civil society, will hold its second meeting tomorrow to discuss the latest version of the Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by Hazare's team.