In some countries people burn cities, in others they stage revolutions, in some places there are civil wars, in some the government kills thousands of civilians, in others mobs loot stores. In a world of instability, only in India does someone inspire massive protests by threatening to fast to the death.
I have spent this morning at the India Against Corruption at Chennai, where so many people, young and old, have been fasting for the last seven days to express their sympathy with the cause. The place was inundated with young people – students, techies, etc. My son in Hyderabad has been sitting at candle light vigils after a long day’s work. One young man came on TV to say that he was a strict vegetarian and desired to participate in a non-violent struggle. There is a new energy in India. It is a pity that the prime minister and the congress party dont see it. TV channels are giving 24×7 coverage. Would they do it if there was nothing behind it? I hope this momentum does not fizzle out.