Karnataka - Bangalore   

Echoes in the city against corruption

Calling for change:A large number of people began a fast at the Freedom Park in Bangalore on Saturday to express solidarity with Baba Ramdev's campaign against corruption.

BANGALORE: The city's rising ire against corruption was reflected in the loud cries of “ Hatao Hatao Brashtachar Hatao (remove corruption)” which resonated across Freedom Park as a large crowd gathered to participate in a fast here on Saturday.

The protest, ‘Brashtachar Mitao Satyagraha', was organised by Patanjali Yog Samiti, an association affiliated to yoga guru Baba Ramdev, who launched his movement in New Delhi on Saturday.

The demands of Baba Ramdev were vehemently proclaimed by his supporters, the most important of which was the need to bring back to the country all the black money stashed away in Swiss banks. “The exact amount of the illegal, untaxed money that is in those banks can of course, not be verified. The government is not giving us names, they are covering up something,” said Krishna, former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

‘Relentless threat'

“Corruption is like parthenium, a weed that will choke the progress of this country,” said a protester as he talked about the importance of speaking out. “It is not possible to eradicate corruption completely without getting rid of hunger and lust. But through such protests you do the best you can to be heard,” he added.

Engineering and medical colleges were also targets of the activists who demanded that knowledge be opened to the poor as well.

Surasri, a yoga teacher at the patanjali said, “Lakhs of rupees are being asked to secure a seat in some institutions and many cannot afford it. Is education to be reserved only for the rich?” she said.

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