As hardly a few hundred supporters, mostly north Indians, marked their presence at the sprawling MMRDA ground, the police too whittled down the security apparatus significantly.
When 74-year-old Hazare launched his fast yesterday, fourth this year, for a strong Lokpal, the estimate of people at the venue varied between 4,000 to 10,000. The attendance dropped sharply today with hardly a 200-300 people sitting in front of the stage.
The activist's fast at Ramlila Maidan in August had seen impressive turnout with upto 30,000-40,000 people pouring in every day.
"The crowd has been relatively low here compared to Delhi, much less than I had expected. We haven't seen many Mumbaikars here," Pavitra Singh, from Punjab, told reporters.
He attributed it to various reasons like news reports about threat to Hazare and his supporters. "Also, since Mumbai is a commercial hub, the working class people come and go as per their convienence," Singh, who is fasting, said.
Brave face
Meanwhile in Delhi, prominent Team Anna member Kiran Bedi today downplayed the low turnout at Anna Hazare's fast in Mumbai, saying one should not just go by the number of people who turn up at the venue but the support received from the masses on internet and other means should also be taken into account.
Bedi said lakhs of youth have been expressing their support to the anti-corruption campaign on the internet and millions of people have been watching Hazare's agitation live on television, which is also a form of support.
"One should not just go by the number at the venue. If one had seen the number of people who marched from Juhu beach to MMRDA grounds, he/she will not say that the turnout is low. We have been successful in creating awareness among the people," she told reporters at Ramlila Maidan here.
"There are millions of people who are watching the fast live on television channels. They also support Anna Hazare. It is not necessary for them to come to the venue. See the support we get on internet," she said.
Bedi was responding to a volley of questions on the low turnout at Hazare's fast venue in Mumbai as well as the Team's relay fast in New Delhi.
Bedi also said Team Anna would continue to create awareness among the public on Lokpal and will fight till the end.
"Time has come now for the right laws to be passed. We made the Parliament at least listen to voices of the people. But the Bill that has been passed did not reflect the views of the people," she said.
Bedi said the whole movement was aimed at "freeing" the CBI from political manipulations and rued the fact that it could not be achieved as of now.
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