Anna Hazare: Arrest 'Unconstitutional' Says Opposition

Anna Hazare was arrested in Delhi Tuesday along with a number of his supporters.

While the government has agreed to free the activists, Hazare is refusing to exit Tihar Jail until he has a written guarantee that his upcoming hunger strike can continue unmolested. He is thought to be sitting in the jail cell, and reportedly hasn't eaten since his incarceration.

Meanwhile, thousands of people have taken to the streets, organizing protests and rallies in support of Hazare. In cities like Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore, Indians from all walks of life chant slogans and hold signs in defiance of the police and government.

Some Indian lawyers and politicians have joined the cause.

"The act of arresting Anna is unconstitutional and we support the cause which he brought to light," V P Singh Rajawat, President of India's Bar Association of Revenue Board told the Times of India.

"Anna Hazare's arrest is an unconstitutional act of the Central government and it brought back memories of Emergency," commented Anita Bhadel.

Bhadel represents the Ajmer South district for the Bharatiya Janata Party, the opposition party in India's United Progressive Alliance government.

Hazare is currently leading the charge against the Lokpal Bill, which is a proposed anti-corruption law. The country is awash with corruption, and reportedly one sixth of the national GDP is lost to economic crookedness.

Hazare and his supporters posit that the bill is not nearly strong enough, and fear that is was designed to protect those in power. The bill would establish a national ombudsman, but high ranking government officials would be immune from investigation.