New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) Khazan Singh, who described himself as a World War II veteran, was among the thousands who took to the streets Tuesday in support of Anna Hazare -- along with thousands of others here.


In his 80s, he came to Delhi from Sonepat in Haryana, holding a wooden stick to support himself.

"I have fought the biggest war of the world. Nobody can deter me from fighting this war (on corruption) with Anna," Khazan Singh told IANS. He said he saw action during World War II in Burma, now Myanmar.

Upset by Hazare's arrest, Khazan Singh asked: "What wrong has he done? Was there any need to arrest a man asking for a bill to eliminate corruption? India is going to gain if corrupt people get punished."

Khazan Singh was among the over 5,000 massed outside the Chhatrasal stadium in north Delhi in support of Hazare.

Many came from other states including Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.

Braving heavy rains, they shouted slogans courting arrest. Police, however, refused to detain them citing that the stadium was already packed with more than 2,500 people and that there was no space.

People who got detained at the J.P. Park, Rajghat and Mayur Vihar, were inside the stadium.

Abhinay Gehlot, 22, from Jaipur explained why he was in Delhi.

"There is corruption at every level in the system. To make a driving licence one has to shell out Rs.1,000 bribe. This man (Anna) is fighting for us and I am here to support him."

Among Hazare's supporters were scores of Delhi University students.

Sushant Sharma and Tuheen Gupta, in their early 20s, were detained at the J.P. Park along with 50 friends.

"Anna's arrest shows the government's inefficiency. They fear Anna because he is fighting against corruption," Gupta said after they were freed.

Even school students poured out of their homes.

Priyanka and Mona, 12 and 13 respectively, of Little Fairy Public school, were shouting slogans "Anna, we are with you!"

Jai Ram Tewari, 74, a retired professor from Jharkhand, got nostalgic as he likened the movement to India's freedom struggle.

"Today I am reminded me of my childhood and the fight against the British. The arrest of Hazare is really insane."

People in groups sat on roads and sang patriotic songs -- and shouted slogans.

Aranya Bansal, 23, of Defence Colony in south Delhi, and her six friends rendered the popular "Raghu Pati Raghav Raja Ram".

Asked how long will they protest with Hazare, pat came the reply: "We will remain with him till its logical conclusion."