As Anna Hazare, India’s septuagenarian social activist and eminent Gandhian declares to continue with his fast-unto-death day of fast, the fight against corruption in India is gaining momentum with thousands of young people joining in.
Anna Hazare started his fast-unto-death crusade on Monday demanding that the government agrees to create a powerful anti-corruption law called “Jan Lokpal Bill”.
Wednesday was the 3rd day of the fast for 73-year old Hazare, By the end of the day, the number of the anti-corruption activist has swollen from a measly few hundred to several thousands. Students and young professionals – most of them tech savvy netizens – are pledging support, wearing virtual badge and loudly expressing their support to Hazare’s fight.
Several of these young supporters have now joined Hazare in the fast as a sign of solidarity. Interestingly, more than half of these young supporters have heard of Anna Hazare only this week. However, being cyber savvy, they have been quick to google and read about Anna Hazare and his decades of work as a social activist: A resident of Maharashtra, Anna Hazare created a model village on a stretch of perennially dry and barren land. This ‘proven track record’ has been working like instant magic on the young troupe that seeks inspiration not just in great words, but also in real action. Impressed, the troupe is now expressing its admiration in a most technological way: through the virtual world, especially social media sites like Facebook and Youtube. News clips and links are posted every minute that draw hundreds of comments and counter attacks are launched against those who oppose Hazare.
Writes one such supporter Dhruva Chaudhary- a software engineer; “I didnt know much about this great man till yesterday. but when I read more abt him, I was like-wow we got a messaiah right here in the middle of us. May all of us lend our support for his great endeavor”.
Many of the supporters are based out of India, but being physically away from India hasn’t deterred them from lauding Hazare’s fight against corruption. Marshia Joyson, an Indian based in Germany’s Hamburg posts on Facebook, “ Had no idea about this great man, until I read (on facebook) a stream of comments. The common man should be aware of the great Gandhian war that is happening and extend their support in whatever way they can. I sincerely hope that he wins this, for the betterment of our nation. I wish and pray that whatever force, that has tied down the hands of leaders from doing what they know is right, to be shattered”.
Hundreds of twits are also flying out every minute. While some are in support of Hazare and his crusade, many are abusive in nature and directed against politicians and government for opposing Hazare.
The media has been quick to spot this youth power. Almost all the leading media players, especially NDTV and CNN-IBN- two of India’s largest television channels, have been interviewing young supporters all across India. Some have been quick to compare this ‘online revolution’ to the pro-democracy uprising in the Arab world. However, it will be worth watching if this great Indian youth power can succeed in forcing the government create the law called “Jan Lokpal Bill”.