Anna Hazare Leaves Jail

Anna Hazare left jail today amidst a throng of supporters who cheered and tossed rose petals for India's most prominent anti-corruption activist. “Whether I live or not, corruption shall not live,” Hazare told supporters, before heading to the public square of Ramlila Maidan to begin his hunger strike, according to the New York Times. “The youth of this country has awoken,” he declared when he arrived. “The traitors who have robbed this country will no longer be tolerated.”

"There was a revolution, and British left, but corruption and mismanagement did not," he continued. "Now this is a second fight for freedom, a second revolution." Thousands braved the rain to support the 74-year-old, including hundreds of children. "When the government could not stop us, this downpour is nothing," one student told the Hindustan Times. "I am here to witness history in the making." Read one banner: "You are Anna, I am Anna. Today, the whole country is Anna." (More Anna Hazare stories.)