A scam-tainted Jharkhand is keenly putting on the thinking cap (read Gandhi topi recently rechristened Anna topi), courtesy a bygone fashion resurrected by a refined modern Mahatma, who can give the rustic reel ilk of Gandhians like Munnabhai a good run for their money.

The white pointed headgear made of hand-spun cotton is selling in hundreds every day everywhere, particularly in Ranchi and Jamshedpur. While the Gandhi cap is priced at Rs 50 in the capital, residents in the steel city barely mind shelling out Rs 10 extra for what they believe is their noble initiation into an anti-corruption crusade.

Two Anna Hazare supporters check out the khadi headgear at an outlet on Main Road, Ranchi on Thursday, while lawyers of Jamshedpur civil court protest against corruption outside East Singhbhum deputy commissioner's office. It was a numbers tribute to Hazare as 300 lawyers took to the streets of Jamshedpur and a motley crowd of 200 advocates, businessmen and students trooped to Albert Ekka Chowk in Ranchi to give a musical. wake-up call to the Centre. Later, 7,000 students participated in a signature campaign in the capital. Pictures by Prashant Mitra & Bhola Prasad

From school and college students to civil service aspirants and businessmen, everyone is making a beeline for the Anna topi. Result: the demand is outmatching supply, forcing Jharkhand State Khadi & Village Industries Board outlets to even hire professionals to tailor caps on the spot.

ARTI S. SAHULIYAR & ANTARA BOSE get up close with this anti-graft brigade to find out what’s in a cap

VOX POPULI

Gandhigiri mein dam hai aur Gandhi topi iski misal hai (Gandhigiri has power and the Gandhi cap reflects that power). Thanks to Annaji for taking us back to the period when objectives could be achieved through non-violence and struggle

BAHAMAN, an Anna Hazare supporter in front of the JPSC office on Thursday

I feel Gandhiji in me. My spirit is lifted every time I wear the cap. My friends and I are supporting Anna’s movement because he believes in ahimsa (non-violence)

RANJIT KUMAR, civil service aspirant

Gandhi topi reminds us of our freedom struggle. It gives a surge of nostalgia

JAVED, civil service aspirant

The caps have been an integral part of the Swadeshi movement and after 65 years of Independence, we are once again fighting for freedom from corruption. We have all worn the cap because it symbolises a movement and the principles of the father of the nation

SURESH SONTHALIA, General Secretary, Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry

I believe in a democracy that is free of corruption. Wearing a cap is the easiest way to show your solidarity to the cause. Everybody cannot wear dhoti-kurta and the Gandhi topi does enough to motivate you

KUNAL SINGH, Student, Jamshedpur Workers’ College

brisk BUSINESS

We sold 70 Gandhi caps on Thursday alone. In fact, since Annaji’s movement began, we have sold almost 600 pieces of Gandhi caps. Now, we are out of stock. To meet the growing demand, we have taken the help of a tailor, who is sitting outside our store to stitch the topis

BISHAWNATH DAS, official, khadi outlet at Kutchery, Ranchi

Ek din mein dus topi silte hai (I am stitching 10 caps every day). We are starting work early and are trying to stitch as many as we can to meet the demand

MD ISLAM, tailor, outside Khadi store at Kutchery

We have sold 800 Gandhi caps after August 15. On Thursday, 50 pieces went off the shelves. Since the demand has increased, we are getting fresh stock from our main centre at Tiril Ashram, where a dozen tailors are working in tandem. Here, we have taken the help of two tailors

MITHILISH KUMAR SINGH, official, Khadi outlet at Albert Ekka Chowk, Ranchi

We have sold about 100 caps in two days and that is quite a trend. Perhaps, it is the easiest way to represent a movement. Normally, we store 500 caps, but have asked our production unit to be prepared to supply more

BIBHUTI RAI, Manager, Khadi retail outlet in Bistupur, Jamshedpur