Protests

10,000 March in New Delhi

Activist strikes deal to be released, limit hunger strike to 15 days.

More than 10,000 people reportedly marched in New Delhi Wednesday to protest the three-day imprisonment of anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare, who was arrested Tuesday when he attempted to organize a hunger strike. Hazare has insisted he will not leave jail until he is allowed to stage an indefinite hunger strike against corruption in the capital. The police detained 2,600 of his supporters Tuesday but later released them, and officials later issued a release for Hazare—but he has refused to obey. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh slammed Hazare's calls for tougher laws against corruption, saying, "We will not allow anyone to question the sole prerogative of Parliament to make the law." Hazare is expected to be released Thursday, and will reportedly go on a hunger strike and stage protests for only 15 days. Even with his release, some say Indian authorities are walking a fine line and risking their own Arab Spring by quashing the voice of a frustrated middle class.