Anna Hazare Satyagraha and My perspective

After the triumphant cricket world cup Indians have come together on a common cause again. This time we have decided to take ‘corruption’ by its horns. The past few years have seen the Indian’s daily cup of coffee filled with a chain of scam after scam. That’s when a diminutive man decided to confront the government and demand they pass the anti-corruption bill, Jan LokPal, and set up a body comprised of parliamentarians and civic body to draft the bill.

The timing for the agitation seems to be perfect. Indian masses are already on a high after the cricket triumph. Some of the major states are about to face another election in a few weeks time. Besides the government at the centre doesn’t have a great image at the moment. And the turmoil in the Arab regions has caught the people’s imagination. Unlike a few years back more Indians are wired in today. People prefer the internet media to the print. Here information flies high and fast, before its authenticity can be verified.

These reasons may have pushed government into an emergency response. The bumbling PM reiterated his respect for Anna Hazare. Years ago PM might not have even dreamt that his squeaky clean image would be dragged into the street. After some high points in his tenure he suddenly found out that the honeymoon is over and he is left with a nagging wife. He may take some extra sure steps to see his innocent name is not blemished again.

Anna has caught the imagination of India. The reasons could be many. We have been rocked by the numerous scandals that came into the public in such a short time. Indians are notorious in subjugating themselves to any situation they are in unless spurred by a popular leader. When in lack of a leader, they came across Hazare who followed the principles of Gandhiji. Now Gandhiji is officially conferred with the title of freeing us from the British and he doesn’t have any malign to his name. Besides we prefer a non-violent struggle as it’s been unofficially patented by India. And satyagraha doesn’t cause us much discomfort and can be easily withdrawn (remember ‘Quit India’/ ‘Civil Disobedience’)!

Now you may infer that I belittled the achievement of Anna Hazare. I would never say that victory is purely due to perfect timing.

But have we understood that the Hazare victory is just the beginning of a long and treacherous journey. Now why do I call the journey treacherous?

Have we got a real understanding on what corruption is? Have we reduced the word ‘corruption’ to ‘bribes’ and ‘commissions’? Haven’t we cornered ‘corruption’ to public offices? In reality our private and corporate firms are as bad as the public. The reason why we never get to see any ‘breaking story’ is the media fear a backlash for rendering the employees of the firm jobless. Besides the employees are paid well and are made insecure enough so that they never raise their voice.

Corruption has been institutionalized in our society for centuries. Kushwant Singh must be one of the finest writers who fictionalized it humorously. It must be in our genes. We have cornered the resources to a small portion of population. Then it becomes money, more than merit, which tilts thing in our favour. It could be admissions, team selections, business ventures, bails.

Weren’t there many people who protested in the non violent way earlier? Why didn’t we see the same frenzy over people like Medha Patekar? The simple answer is class conflict. ‘Narmada project’ means power to the majority. But it’s a displacement to the minority. ‘Army’ means sacrifice and martyrdom to a majority. But it’s oppression and torture for the Kashmir and North-East. When we say the civic society be included in drafting of the bill, will they be large hearted enough to look beyond their own framework? Will we see people like Ambdekar who can see beyond the development of the middle class?

I hear people crying out to Pilate to crucify Raja for the 2-G scam. But when it comes to the Tata or Ambani they ought to be respected. Because they fetch their shareholders money and give jobs to millions. They do us proud by exporting vehicles and sponsor our cricket teams and tournaments. But Rajas came out of the scum and has to return to the scum. As a country who always worshipped its rich heroes, will we have the courage to tear apart the mask? Will there be justice for all?

All I wanted to was to pose a few questions. The journey has only begun. Will there be people to carry the torch all the way through?