2nd Freedom Struggle; Anna Hazare Unites Nation

India against corruption the Anna wave swept across the nation as his supporters thronged the streets in support of his fast unto death against corruption and for a strong Lokpal bill.

As the news of his arrest spread early Tuesday morning, the common people of India cutting across caste, culture, religion and state lines took to streets to show solidarity with the Gandhian.

According to reports from the state capitals, hundreds of people were detained by police in different cities and town after they gathered in the main thoroughfares, shouting slogans against the UPA government protesting the arrest. They were later released.

Day 2: Anna Hazare refuses to leave Tihar Jail, govt in a fix
Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare refused to leave Tihar jail in Delhi for the second day on Wednesday after he was arrested and jailed a day before Tuesday, but was then released by the authorities in a U-turn within 12 hours. Hazare has refused to eat, who is campaigning for a stronger lokpal bill to curtail corruption, is on hunger strike, said Manish Sisodia, a colleague of the activistwho spoke to TV channels. Arvind Kejriwal, an RTI activist and a prominent leader of Hazare's movement, is in Tihar too, said Sisodia.

Hazare's refusal to leave Tihar prison may prove to be a headache for the government, which has been perceived to be floundering, with Congress leaders struggling to defend their earlier hardline stand against a Gandhian who has become an icon in India's war on corruption.

On Wednesday, thousands of activists plan to protest outside Tihar in support of Hazare, Rallies, candle light vigils and marches are planned across India.

The arrests of Hazare and his aides crippled parliament as an otherwise divided opposition closed ranks. The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Communist Party of India-Marxist called for nationwide protests Wednesday. Opposition parties want a debate in Parliament over Hazare's arrest and the Prime Minister to explain why the government took the step.

Hazare was taken into custody on Tuesday morning from a residential area in east Delhi after he refused to accept conditions set by the Delhi Police for his fast to press for his team's version of the lokpal bill. Hazare wants all fetters on his protest to be removed.

The protests were peaceful and no violence was reported from any part of the country, the reports said.

Maharashtra
The 73-year-old Gandhian's native village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra observed a bandh. Protesting farmers came out on the roads along with their cattle and blocked the traffic. "The entire village is observing a bandh today,"said Hazare's associate Datta Awari, adding that villagers have decided to observe a fast to express solidarity with him. "Approximately, 3,000-4,000 people have been detained and released across Mumbai,"City Commissioner of Police Arup Patnaik said, adding they were picked up on the charges of unlawful assembly after they held demonstrations. Wearing Gandhi-caps which had"I Am Anna Hazare"etched on it, the protesters carrying placards'Say no to corruption and yes to Jan Lok Pal'came from diverse background and included senior citizens, freedom fighters, youths and students. Several demonstrators courted arrest.

Karnataka
Many wearing the"trade-mark"Anna"topi"and"India Against Corruption"T-shirts, several students boycotted classes to be part of the"movement"in Bangalore while hundreds of techies took a break from work and poured into the streets in Electronic city. A section of the demonstrators in several cities observed fast while several others sang patriotic songs.

Gujarat
In the Bapunagar area of Ahmedabad, some of the agitators got their heads shaved to protest the arrest of Hazare in an early morning crackdown in Delhi.

Uttar Pradesh
As many as 219 people were arrested in various districts in Uttar Pradesh, when Hazare's supporters took to the streets in the state, Special Director General of Police Brij Lal told reporters in Lucknow.

In UP's Etah, lawyers staged dharnas while in Gonda, they abstained from all court work and disrupted road traffic on the National Highway for over an hour.

In Basti, supporters of the Gandhian burnt copies of the government Lokpal bill while in Gauriganj(CSM nagar) Sultanpur and Ballia effigies of central government were burnt.

In Gorakhpur hundreds of Hazare's supporters staged a sit-in at the Gandhi statue at town hall here. However, according to police no untoward incident has been reported from any part of the city and no arrest has been made.

In Ghaziabad, an effigy of the Union government was burnt by agitators today who protested against the arrest of social activist.

Large number of people took out procession in Vaishali, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, Modinagar, Pilakhuwa, Hapur, Loni, Garhmukteshwar and Sahibabad.

There had been other no law and order problem anywhere in Uttar Pradesh, Brij Lal added.


Uttarakhand
Criticising the police action action on Hazare, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishak today termed the arrest of the anti-graft crusader as"undemocratic". "This is undemocratic to stop anyone to hold a non-violent and peaceful agitation against corruption,"Nishank said in a statement here.

Himachal Pradesh
Pledging their support to Hazare, around 500 people from all walks of life took out a procession in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh.

Rajasthan
However, the Congress unit in Rajasthan came down heavily on the social activist claiming that his intentions were not"good"and alleging that the BJP was"using"Hazare for its own political interest. "Anna Hazare's intentions are not good and his arrest was made in the national capital to keep law and order situation under control,"PCC President Chandrabhan said at a political meeting in Malpura Assembly constituency here. Meanwhile the CPI in Rajasthan termed the police action against Hazare as unconstitutional and undemocratic and said the party will observe tomorrow as a protest day demanding a strong Lokpal Bill. Traders of walled city areas in Jaipur announced a four-day protest in support of Hazare and took out a rally in the Pink City.

In Jodhpur the High court lawyers and advocates body today decided to boycott the work in the courts tomorrow justifying Hazare's fight and terming the move of the government as amounting to hurting the constitutional rights to peaceful demonstration and democratic values.

Punjab
In Punjab, the Chandigarh Administration today clamped prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC banning assembly of five or more persons in the Union Territory.

District Magistrate Chandigarh Birjendra Singh has issued prohibitory orders amid apprehensions that some groups may cause try to hamper the law and order situation.

In Hoshiarpur activists of various political parties and NGOs participated held protest meetings, criticizing the police action.

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