New Delhi, Dec 11: As Anna Hazare held his day-long fast for a strong Lokpal Bill at Jantar Mantar, people protesting here for other causes were sore at being “ignored”.
Agitators demanding Telangana statehood and those seeking solution to Mullaperiyar issue said that Hazare grabs all the limelight because he is eulogised in the media.
“Nobody cares to listen to us. Media has to be blamed for this. Although our causes are also important and need immediate attention, but it is Hazare who has been made a hero,” says RB Kaul, working president of Vishwa Bauddha sangha fighting for separate Telangana.
Kaul who's protesting only 20 metres away from Hazare's stage said that till yesterday there were around 50 different stalls where people were protesting for causes such as solution to Mullaperiyar dam issue.
“They were all threatened by police or asked to vacate the venue since Hazare was to fast here. Is this the way? We have been fasting here since November 1, we have as much right to protest here as Hazare does,” said Kaul.
Rajiv Khosla, of Mafia Unmoolan Samiti(MAUS), fighting against the concept of Jan Lokpal believes that since big NGOs are associated with Anna's movement, he was able to catch the attention of people and media alike.
“They have fundings from several NGOs and media frenzy provides incentives to people to join their agitation. Media too wants a posterboy whom they can sell in their stories, “ Khosla said.
“People also think that Jan Lokpal is a magic wand which will remove corruption.
If according to Hazare, government's version of Lokpal will increase corruption by 10 per cent, Jan Lokpal will increase it by 50 per cent,” alleged Khosla.
