Mahatma returns to backdrop as Hazare takes foreground

The 'backdrop' at the stage, it seems, indicates the mood of the campaigners of India Against Corruption (IAC).

The 'backdrop' at the stage, it seems, indicates the mood of the campaigners of India Against Corruption (IAC).

HT Image

On Sunday, when Team Anna chose to strike an emotional chord with the masses by showcasing families of whistleblowers fallen prey to the corrupt system, the backdrop carried mug shots of 19 of the victims along with Mahatma Gandhi.

From Bharat Mata in April 2011, to just Mahatma Gandhi in August 2011 and Anna Hazare on par with father of the nation in December, the backdrops have reflected the prevailing circumstances faced by the movement led by the Gandhian activist.

The movement to demand strong Jan Lokpal had a strong visual connect with the masses in the form of several props such as the stage, the display of the tricolour, Anna t-shirts and Anna caps to name a few.

"Input for the backdrop came from me and it was Javed who actually designed it," explained Manish Sisodia, a key Team Anna member. In response to a pointed question as to why Hazare went missing from the backdrop after he was put on a par with Mahatma Gandhi in December 2011, Sisodia said, "When Anna was absent in person, he was there in the backdrop. (Today) when Anna is present himself, there is no need for that."

While the Bharat Mata backdrop had drawn flak for its political interpretations, displaying Hazare in the same vein as the Mahatma had also attracted criticism.

Hazare, in his speech, raised a new demand to register FIRs against against 14 "corrupt" Union ministers by August failing which he threatened to launch a jail bharo agitation.

Team Anna also urged the people to be prepared for the Delhi assembly polls, which are due next year.