Dr. Manmohan Singh also joins crowds protesting against corruption at India Gate

Protesters at India Gate were pleasantly surprised to find a very familiar looking, genial Sardar in a blue turban holding a candle and softly shouting slogans in support of Anna’s Janlokpal bill. It indeed was the Prime Minister of India! Dr. Singh quickly dashed to 7, Race Course after the end of the day’s Parliament session for a quick snack and then rushed to join the protestors at approximately 8 PM. The Prime Minister, dressed in classical activist attire (India against Corruption T shirt and Jeans) held a banner in his left hand and two Tiger biscuit packets in his right hand, so that he could put a night outer under India Gate.

Dr. Singh participated in the protests with as much energy as he could muster

“I am also fed up with all this corruption in the Government yaar. And just like the common man, I feel helpless and frustrated at my Government’s obduracy. Corruption has made life miserable for me,” said a highly agitated Dr. Singh, jostling with several other protesters to get into the frame of the camera held by a Times Now Reporter. When queried on why he cannot use his office to push for a powerful and effective Lokpal bill, Dr. Singh shrugged, “Yaar, What can I do? I am personally in favor of bringing [PM’s] office under the ambit of the Janlokpal, lekin cabinet mein koi meri baat sunta hi nahin!” The PM then tore away to join a band of sloganeering protestors and began to chant with all the energy he could muster, “Anna ki maang poori karo, Janlokpal bill to lagoo karo.”

An official from the PMO’s office later in the night read out a terse statement confirming the presence of the PM in the midst of protestors at India Gate to reporters. “The PM, strictly in his private and unofficial capacity, will be joining the protestors every day after 6PM at India Gate and Ramlila Maidan for the remaining duration of Shri Anna Hazare’s fast. Even public figures are entitled to their private moments during non office hours. We therefore request the public and media to be mindful of this and respect Dr. Singh’s private space.”

The PMO has downplayed the inherent contradictions of Dr. Singh’s government opposing Team Anna’s demands on one hand and Dr. Singh joining the protest in support of Anna on the other. “Govt. officials, including Dr. Singh, are also living, breathing human beings with emotions, aspirations, personal opinions, ok! Can’t Dr. Singh as a citizen of India join a peaceful assembly to protest against his own Government and give vent to his acute frustration? Haven’t you heard about the concept of compartmentalization?” said the PMO officer, momentarily losing his composure. The PMO official confirmed that  this will be Dr. Singh’s first tryst with street activism. “He did have an opportunity to take part in some protests during his student days at Punjab University, Chandigarh, but he rightly let it pass since it would have impacted his studies,” informed the official.

Dr. Singh will also volunteer during non office hours to help Team Anna with budgetary planning and economizing of resources during the course of the anti-graft satyagraha.