Anna movement: Losing shine or gaining momentum

Team Anna started its battle against corruption once again with Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisaodiya and other members of India Against Corruption sitting on fast for the passing of Lok Pal Bill. Unlike last year, the venue for the event has shifted to a somewhat smaller one at Jantar Mantar, the hub of protests.

Though Anna was not present on Wednesday as he will fast from 29th July but still the event attracted a lot of supporters and visitors.

The movement started on a high note with hundreds gathering at the event but there was something amiss this time unlike the last time when the fast was held at Ramlila Ground which raised the question that is Anna movemnet lost the same importance it had a year back.

It can't be said that people didn't attent the event and extended their support but somewhere down the line the movement has suffered a bit. Although supporters came in heavy numbers to lend their support to the cause but the undercurrent has toned down a little. The brimming enthusiasm that encompassed the general public last year is some notches lower this time. While some people agree to this, while some oppose it vehementely.

According to Tanu Sharma,a DU student, the movement has lost sheen for her because of the over exposure of the cause by the media. "The Anna movement has been left, right and center for this whole year. Every newspaper and television covered this to its very core and so after a time it justs gets irriataing," said the 18 year old.

Her opinion is voiced by another medical student Shaili Shah, who says that the over extensive and over hyped coverage is responsible for the short attention span that people now give to this movement.

" For past one year all I have heard is Anna and IAC members siiting at fast in one city or another and then media goes in a hyperactive mode bombarding audience with the same news over and over again. It is just tiring for me as an viewer," said Shah.

Another reason cited for this downfall is the corruption charges against Team Anna members. Corruption charges against Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Prashant Bhushan has somewhat dwindled the public faith.

"I am still here because I support Anna and his cause but my faith in other team members has shaken a bit because of the corruption cases against Bedi and Kejriwal but I still believe in Anna and so am here to lend my support," said Sitanshu Shrivastav,a 3rd year engineering student.

One of the voluteers of the event on the condition of anoynmity said that even he had some apprehensions this time but he came because of Anna's committment to the cause.

While some people think that impact has widened this time. Sarokar, an NGO from Meerut, came with all its 40 members and their families to lend their support to the cause.

"I think media has helped in creating a great awareness regarding this whole movement amongst the public," said Lakhan Tomar, a civil engineer by profession and convenyor of the NGO.

"Last time people were not aware but this time people are themselves asking about this movement and how can they participate," added Tomar.

Ranjana Sarkar who was there with her family, told that media coverage was the sole reason that she was here supporting Anna Hazare. 'Till last year I had no idea who Anna was or what was the whole controversy about but thanks to media coverage this time I was aware about the whole issue and wanted to particiapte this time," said the 45 year old homemaker.

Though it is too early too judge whether the movement has lost its sheen or not, the result depends on the outcome of the movement that is whether Lok Pal Bill is being passed by the Legislation or is still hung like every other Bill.