Kolkata, Aug 22 (IANS) Hours before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur, locals and students Monday staged a protest at the main gate of the institute to express solidarity with the fasting Anna Hazare.


A group of students even announced that they would not accept their degrees at the annual convocation Monday in support of Hazare's campaign.

Another section of students has pledged that they would accept the degrees but would rather wear Gandhi caps than the traditional graduation hat.

"Prime Minister giving me my degree is a dream come true. But right now a strong Lokpal is much more important than my dream," said Ritesh Singh, a student.

A group of around 50 people with placards and festoons picketed the campus gate Monday and shouted slogans in support of Hazare and his demand for a stronger and more inclusive Lokpal bill.

“We are here to protest against the government's attitude and inform the prime minister that all of us want a strong Lokpal bill,” said Shyamal Das, a 35-year-old businessman.

“Annaji is fasting for the last seven days and the government is simply sleeping and waiting for him to die,” said Ranajit Pal, a second year student.