Annalila [Live

All roads and all cameras lead to the Ramlila Maidan in central Delhi,where Anna Hazare’s fast to demand his version of the Jan Lokpal Bill is in progress. Last weekend,crowds poured into the ground in support of the “cause”,which has sought to include various disaffections of the middle-class Indian. Nights and days at the Maidan resemble a one-day match at a cricket stadium: lots of Indian flags,pumped up young men chanting for Team Anna,and attentive television crew.

On Monday night,Hazare’s deteriorating health and the sapping humidity forced him to leave the stage as early as 8.30. Once Hazare retires to an area behind the stage where he sits through the day,the bands of singing protestors wind up,and the lights are switched off at the stage. The organisers are not allowed to use loudspeakers beyond 10 at night. Without anyone to direct them from the stage,the crowd takes over. The volunteer team is steadily growing by the day,but they are just enough to man the many information,food,donations and book counters set up across the maidan. Police,with the strict no-baton rule imposed,have become mere bystanders.

Spirits,and the Tricolour,though continue to fly high.