Anna Hazare & War On Corruption
In the past few days, we are inundated with the coverage of the protests led by Anna Hazaare. First it was the positive coverage, lack of government's appropriate response, solidarity extended by various individuals, among others. Later, the celebration of the victory, its hailing, etc. Last heard, the controversies surrounding the members. It is not apt for me to go on these topics bit by bit. I shall instead focus of the prime aspects of the circumstances that led to this mammoth show of public angst in this movement.
Recently one of my friends has asked me who this Anna Hazare is? He said he came to know of this man only after he sat on hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. He is absolutely fine with his question. Though I dare not to say that I too am in the similar situation, it would not be proper to tell that I knew all about this legend. To my memory, atleast in a couple of occasions, this one-man movement called Anna Hazare had caught my attention in the past. All I knew about this man was he is a Gandhian, he follows the preachings of Vivekananda, Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave, both in letter and spirit and he is hellbent when it comes to achieving what he believes in. He is not educated enough, cannot speak eloquently in English, not a page 3 person by any means and he too had some vices during his prime age. He remained unmarried. He worked as a truck driver during the Indo-Pak world war in 1965. That was a defining moment during his life. Also, what I knew was he has modelled a village where he lived in his childhood, "Ralegaon Siddhi", to his credit. So what is great about this man "Anna" Hazare? Everything, I dare to say! He is instrumental in creating a movement. He did not like the Lok Pal bill to lie in dust for over 42 years. He wanted to complete the unfinished agenda of the social activist, Arvind Kejrival to see through that this Lok Pal bill with the necessary modifications will see the light of the day, albeit with a new name, "Jan Lok Pal Bill" reflecting the desires and participation of the citizens of this country. A determined youth and a tireless aged man. They proved to be a great combination that can make wonders to this nation. Rest is history.
Now the debate has started on the important aspect, blackmailing in the form of Gandhian way of protest. Jan Lok Pal bill usurping the power of the parliament, overpowering the CVC, CBI and what not. First things first, arm twisting the government to act for a particular cause is definitely not the best way to achieve even the noblest cause on the earth, agreed. This is all the more relevant when the memories of K.Chandrasekhara Rao's much hyped and faked fast and its aftermath are afresh to all of us. Law of the land should not be taken into anybody's hand, no doubt about that. Tomorrow this may be the order of the day. Even Gandhi faced with these dilemmas as people like Nehru were aghast at his Satyagraha at the drop of the hat. But then, when all the law and order machinery fails in bringing to light a genuine institution from becoming a reality, what option is left with a common aggrieved citizen of this county! Particularly so when the parliamentary system is rampant with corruption scandals coming out in the open; CWG, 2G, Adarsh Housing scams, controversial CVC appointment, tainted former Chief Justice of the Supremen Court, the loot by the demised former Chief Minister Y.Rajasekhara Reddy and his son, to name a few.
Common man is so agitated with these developments that during a normal course, the victory of the Cricket World Cup would have glossed over all these disturbing revelations, on any other day. The voice of the common citizen came out in support of the right cause at the right time by the right man, Babu Rao Kishen Hazare, fondly called as ANNA HAZARE. His impeccable integrity, his commitment to the cause of rooting out corruption has impressed and moved one and all, particularly the youth, who are otherwise disillusioned. People discovered a HERO in Hazare as the cause he is fighting for at the age of 73 is much bigger and nobler than any individual or an institution would have fought for!
What is wrong if Anna mentions positively about the gram swarajya brought into practice by Narendra Modi & Nitesh Kumar! Has Narendra Modi become a pariah in this country that our media has become so obsessed with his negative image? What is wrong if father-son duo, who are legal experts, known for their fight against corruption, particularly in bringing out the 2G scam, are there in the panel? What is wrong if all these 5 members from the civil society are part of the 10-member panel to draft the Jan Lok Pal Bill? Let us not dissect these things further and lose our focus on addressing the evil of corruption in this country. Let us not try to search for the skeletons, when none exist in the cupboards of these gentlemen. Let the task of a gigantic work begin with these people. It is time we should not get carried away with the smearing campaign going on about Hazaare and the panel members clandestinely done with the help of the powers that be in the government with elan.
Though I have genuine doubts about the functioning of this drafting committee, it always pays to be optimistic. Every attempt would be made by the Government, the Opposition and the Bureaucracy to stall or procrastinate the bill on corruption. But then awareness among us, the common men of this country, would go a long way. When faith can move mountains, why can't these gentlemen work out the Jan Lok Pal Bill and bring about a refreshing change that we all countrymen deserve! Let us hope so!
Recently one of my friends has asked me who this Anna Hazare is? He said he came to know of this man only after he sat on hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. He is absolutely fine with his question. Though I dare not to say that I too am in the similar situation, it would not be proper to tell that I knew all about this legend. To my memory, atleast in a couple of occasions, this one-man movement called Anna Hazare had caught my attention in the past. All I knew about this man was he is a Gandhian, he follows the preachings of Vivekananda, Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave, both in letter and spirit and he is hellbent when it comes to achieving what he believes in. He is not educated enough, cannot speak eloquently in English, not a page 3 person by any means and he too had some vices during his prime age. He remained unmarried. He worked as a truck driver during the Indo-Pak world war in 1965. That was a defining moment during his life. Also, what I knew was he has modelled a village where he lived in his childhood, "Ralegaon Siddhi", to his credit. So what is great about this man "Anna" Hazare? Everything, I dare to say! He is instrumental in creating a movement. He did not like the Lok Pal bill to lie in dust for over 42 years. He wanted to complete the unfinished agenda of the social activist, Arvind Kejrival to see through that this Lok Pal bill with the necessary modifications will see the light of the day, albeit with a new name, "Jan Lok Pal Bill" reflecting the desires and participation of the citizens of this country. A determined youth and a tireless aged man. They proved to be a great combination that can make wonders to this nation. Rest is history.
Now the debate has started on the important aspect, blackmailing in the form of Gandhian way of protest. Jan Lok Pal bill usurping the power of the parliament, overpowering the CVC, CBI and what not. First things first, arm twisting the government to act for a particular cause is definitely not the best way to achieve even the noblest cause on the earth, agreed. This is all the more relevant when the memories of K.Chandrasekhara Rao's much hyped and faked fast and its aftermath are afresh to all of us. Law of the land should not be taken into anybody's hand, no doubt about that. Tomorrow this may be the order of the day. Even Gandhi faced with these dilemmas as people like Nehru were aghast at his Satyagraha at the drop of the hat. But then, when all the law and order machinery fails in bringing to light a genuine institution from becoming a reality, what option is left with a common aggrieved citizen of this county! Particularly so when the parliamentary system is rampant with corruption scandals coming out in the open; CWG, 2G, Adarsh Housing scams, controversial CVC appointment, tainted former Chief Justice of the Supremen Court, the loot by the demised former Chief Minister Y.Rajasekhara Reddy and his son, to name a few.
Common man is so agitated with these developments that during a normal course, the victory of the Cricket World Cup would have glossed over all these disturbing revelations, on any other day. The voice of the common citizen came out in support of the right cause at the right time by the right man, Babu Rao Kishen Hazare, fondly called as ANNA HAZARE. His impeccable integrity, his commitment to the cause of rooting out corruption has impressed and moved one and all, particularly the youth, who are otherwise disillusioned. People discovered a HERO in Hazare as the cause he is fighting for at the age of 73 is much bigger and nobler than any individual or an institution would have fought for!
What is wrong if Anna mentions positively about the gram swarajya brought into practice by Narendra Modi & Nitesh Kumar! Has Narendra Modi become a pariah in this country that our media has become so obsessed with his negative image? What is wrong if father-son duo, who are legal experts, known for their fight against corruption, particularly in bringing out the 2G scam, are there in the panel? What is wrong if all these 5 members from the civil society are part of the 10-member panel to draft the Jan Lok Pal Bill? Let us not dissect these things further and lose our focus on addressing the evil of corruption in this country. Let us not try to search for the skeletons, when none exist in the cupboards of these gentlemen. Let the task of a gigantic work begin with these people. It is time we should not get carried away with the smearing campaign going on about Hazaare and the panel members clandestinely done with the help of the powers that be in the government with elan.
Though I have genuine doubts about the functioning of this drafting committee, it always pays to be optimistic. Every attempt would be made by the Government, the Opposition and the Bureaucracy to stall or procrastinate the bill on corruption. But then awareness among us, the common men of this country, would go a long way. When faith can move mountains, why can't these gentlemen work out the Jan Lok Pal Bill and bring about a refreshing change that we all countrymen deserve! Let us hope so!
You have given a fair hearing to the Lok Pal bill issue and the Anna Hazare form of protest... though Gandhian in Nature I term it Anna Hazare kind... because the original Gandhian way was not backed by the flimsy in-your-face 24/7 media coverage. With due regards to Ana Hazare... I am sure we haven't heard the last about the Lok Pal bill or the draft... It may not be another generation before anything superficially concrete will make its appearance. NO, I am NOT being cynical - If the law of the land is to be trusted, as we have no other choice, the corridors will extend a few kms more than ever.
ReplyDeleteYes, You have hit the nail on its head the "powers that be" are out to tarnish a few more images.
I would not be lying if I say that you have worded the feelings of many an Indian who has seen all the drama of the fasting and subsequent actions by the government of the past fortnight.
ReplyDeleteThe last stanza has raised concerns but I personally feel that this is a nice starting point. A journey of thousand mile starts with a step. The first step has been taken and it is left to us, we citizens to ensure that this journey culminates at the destination. There will be many enroute who will try to stop or disturb the journey, but we have to make sure the journey gets completed. Whatever Anna Hazare has achieved or not, he has succeeded in creating awareness among the citizens.
Your blog was very well written and I did want to write personally to you and that's why this mail. As I see your blog history you seem to appear only when there is a major scam. I would like to see you little more often.
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Keep up your good work.
Thanks and Regards
G. Nagarajan.