Protests enters fourth day in Karnataka

Bangalore, Aug 19: The Anna Hazare protest wave continued to sweep the city for the fourth day as Freedom Park once again became the epicentre of people's strength.

Former Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde, a member of the joint committee on drafting the Lokpal bill, participated in the protest as protesters, mostly students, shouted slogans "Anna Hazare Zindabad" and "Bharat Maata Ki Jai".

From early morning, people from all walks of life started to pour in at Freedom Park and many of them eagerly awaited Hazare's release from New Delhi's Tihar Jail. Addressing protesters, Hegde said "I think Lokpal and Lokayukta institutions can help root out corruption."

He also said corruption was born along with the birth of civilisation. "If we can check this, it will benefit not only people, but also the country," he said.

Taking a swipe at politicians, Hegde flayed them for accepting bribes unhesitatingly and yet initiated probe into the funding of those participating in Hazare's campaign. Some protesters who were on dharna since last night began their day by performing yoga and others enjoyed their sleep.

Venting out their anger against UPA government for arresting Hazare, several students said the government tried to hijack the movement by putting conditions on "civil society's indefinite fast."

"We are tired of corruption. We feel Jan Lokpal is the only solution...,"they said.

PTI