US prof joins Mysore dharna

Prof Frederick Smith from the University of Iowa joined the dharna in Mysore. The professor, who specializes in Sanskrit studies, sat in a corner and joined agitators in reciting bhajans. “There is corruption in other parts of the world too. But the way people are protesting in India is something unique,’’ he said. He’s associated with the Vivekananda Institute for Leadership Development (V-LEAD), a unit of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement founded by R Balasubramaniam and currently visiting India with students from the US.
Marikala, a tribal from Heggadadevanakote taluk, was in Mysore on work and decided to join the protest.Congress MP representing Mysore H Vishwanath told reporters that as the people’s representative, he is duty-bound to support their movement.
In Mangalore, 89-year-old Gandhian K Namdev Shenoy joined BJP and ABVP activists in the dharna.
In Hubli, over 200 students and teachers of Oxford College took out a bike rally. At a one-day fast organized by a group of citizens, more than 50 persons took part.