New symbol for Hazare's movement

The tricolour will replace the Bharat Mata image that was in the background set-up of the stage erected at Jantar Mantar on which Hazare was lying on a fast-unto-death for the Jan Lokpal Bill.

The background set-up had an image of Bharat Mata encircled by the map of India. Now the map will encircle Tiranga.

According to sources, the movement leaders decided to give a secular character to the logo as some civil society members were uneasy on displaying an image which is identified as a Hindu religious symbol.

Bharat Mata is considered to be an incarnation of Devi Durga. “The issue was raised in the strategic meeting held after Hazare ended his fast. Women activists like Kavita Krishnan, Nandini Ojha and others raised the issue and requested the movement leaders to replace the image. It did not take long for the leaders to agree to replace the image,” said sources.

Patriotic colour

Activists said that the Bharat Mata image was meant to give a patriotic colour to the anti-corruption movement. The image was in no way associated with any communal agenda.

They also claimed that no one was allowed to use the stage to promote any communal agenda.