ANNACALYPSE: Myth or Reality

It’s been a long silence that I’m writing this piece since my last post on this blog in April this year. Coincidentally, my last piece was written just after the abrupt end of the Anna Movement, Round-I. Now, connecting this to make a continuity with my last write-up (Check & Mate), it’s been established that  “India Against Corruption” scored self-goal by playing into the tunes of Congress politics and giving it an abrupt end. Even then, I will consider it as a winning point to be on optimistic side considering it as the ICE-BREAKER for uniting the “Civil Society” of India.

The way Congress came forward and posed themselves like a crusader against Corruption was quite intriguing, and the same fear turned into reality when Congress crushed Baba Ramdev's movement and the way they are acting against Round-2 of Anna Movement, is a proof of Congress's arrogance.

I'm still of the opinion that JUDICIARY should never be taken under the gambit of JAN LOKPAL, as even after the few charges of corruption, it's only Judiciary, which is saving this country. Of course Prime Minister must come under this. But one thing must be clear that Bills cannot be passed on streets. It must go to parliament and discussion should be done to approve a very strong Jan Lokpal Bill. Anna Movement can be a CATALYST for change, but not certainly the Rule-Maker.

The Bone of Contention here is not the Drafted Bill anymore, but it's the murder of Democratic Ethos by the ruling Congress led UPA Govt. Anna Team sought permission for peaceful protest at Jantar-Mantar ground. The Govt. has given permission for the same based on 22 pre-conditions, which was ridiculous to see. Anna team defied this and then Congress led Govt denied permission. They arrested Anna, then released Anna, then Anna refused to to come out of the jail till Govt. assures him for the peaceful protest. It is full denial for practicing  Fundamental Right to Protest and Dissent. In the meantime, Congress tried to bully Anna Hazare by accusing Anna Hazare the most Corrupt, his movement as a bunch of  fascist, leftist, opportunists and corrupts. All these nervous actions of Govt. shows how Congress is lacking strategy and policy. This is sheer show of arrogance, which will definitely bring down the Govt. The way Govt. treated Anna Hazare, it recounted the days of EMERGENCY and even the days of British Rules before Independence. So it's imperative that people come ahead and fight till finish against this AUTHORITARIAN ATTITUDE of the Congress led Govt. This is completely against India's democratic ethos. It's a murder of India's democracy. And this needs serious attention of people of India. And here I personally feel that the current Govt. and future Govts. should fear to act over-complacent blinded by their power.

This authoritarian attitude triggered a huge dissent against the Govt among the people, which is but obvious. The "Civil Society" came in large number on streets with viral awareness spread by satellite TV, iPad, Facebook, Twitter and English speaking society. All satellite media and social networking sites became ANNAMAY within 24 hrs. with around 3000 people offering their arrest. The report said people from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Lucknow, Kolkata, Guahati, Patna, Nasik, Nagpur etc etc..joined the movement on street and stadium got converted into Jails..People started comparing it with "JP Movement" or "Second Freedom Movement". A possible ANNACALYPSE came into sight. 

But hang on...where is our "Grameen Samaj" (Rural Society), which constitutes almost 70% of non-English speaking population?? It is a population, which is indifferent to Satellite TV, FB, iPad, Twitter generated Media Movement. So Anna Movement can never ever be compared to "JP Movement" or "India's Second Freedom Movement" in its current format. So it's a farce to call it India's second Freedom movement. 

It is to be noted that, the main ruling party Congress has got its Vote-Bank in villages, where people still vote them by misunderstanding Gandhi's (Mahatma Gandhi's) Congress same as Gandhi (Nehru-Gandhi) Dynasty's Congress. This symmetrical impression is deeply existing in the Rural Sub-Consciousness of India due to lack of proper media reach. So when it comes the time to uproot the culprit, the culprit gets it all from them and the culprit gets an opportunity to rubbish all these types of movements in the name of "Janta Ki Awaaz". Who will spread this awareness? And how many people from this "Civil Society" go to vote, so that they can choose the true representative of people. 

So isn't it like a SOAP-OPERA running very successfully on Satellite TV channels (Though I might sound very harsh here)? So in reality the ANNACALYPSE  looks like a myth, if this is the scenario.

But country needs this  Spark to be transformed into a true revolution. To address this huge gap, Team Anna must devise a strategy for including the "Grameen Samaj" or Rural Society of India into this movement. How, it's to be devised by Civil Society by addressing real issues in coordination with leveraged support from all around. 

India has got at least a hope of real awakening, which should be taken into right direction. It should be against the evil in the best interest of its People, its Constitution and Parliament. Whichever be the party in power..be it Congress or BJP or any other party for that matter, they must fear that people of India is watching them. They must have the fear that they could be brought down anytime, if they misuse the power in wrong direction by wrong means. 

But certainly we need to be wary of creating a "Frankenstein Monster" called "Jan Lokpal" (in its current format) and Team Anna has to take notice of this too.

Check & Mate !!

First of all, salute to the People of India for taking the charge into their own hands against corruption. Anna Hazare has certainly led India to a movement and for that we owe our all gratitude to him.

But after the victory, which is sudden, people cannot stop asking themselves certain questions: Are we dreaming?? We have achieved the success within four days?? And this is quite vindicated. Does this mean, from today onwards we will not have a single case of corruption?? Have we achieved a Ram-Rajya?? The answer is certainly not.

Firstly, it's not a war that's been won. It's just one battle won out of many battles to be fought henceforth. One thing must be praised that India got united and awakened against corruption. And we should be thankful for this short movement. 

But certain things are quite intriguing after the abrupt end of this movement, which keeps us even more worried. Govt. comes up forward accepting all terms of civil society and share the dais of success and celebration with the representatives of civil society saying that government is with them against corruption. What a Joke to infinite. The culprit itself comes forward and says it will fight against himself. They are trying to fix the image that it's govt. which is acting against corruption. If I'm not wrong, this country faces innumerate corruption after Congress led UPA  Govt. passed all limits. We forgot our own identity under the Tsunami of corruption. And It's the same Govt. against which this movement built-up, and it's the same govt. after 4 days which is saying they are against corruption and and abrupt end to this movement. I'm afraid if it's "Opposition Designing Act" by the ruling Congress. And people of this country have all rights to sense it as something which is not in Black & White area.

We must not forget that we are a democratic country and we cannot ignore People's representative (Certainly our politicians) from being part of this. But look at the structure of "Joint Drafting Committee". Five members from Govt. and Five members from Civil Society. It is chaired by Govt. representative and Co-Chaired by Civil Society. Where is OPPOSITION?? Don't they have that credibility & right to be the part of this committee?? Aren't they elected & selected by the People of this country?? The opposition party is the main force in democracy which checks the corrupt moves of ruling party. So would not it have been better, if it is Chaired by the representative from largest Opposition party of this country . If civil society can accept 5 members from the ruling party and also giving chairmanship to Govt., then what was stopping them from asking for opposition inclusion. Why two members from same family (Shanti Bhushan & Prashant Bhushan) from Civil Society. Does that mean Indian Civil Society is lacking  capable people?? And also it looks like the conglomeration of elite class only (Nobel Laureates, Magsaysay Awardees, Bharat Ratna Awardees, Judges, Lawyers etc..). If someone is Nobel Laureate, does he guarantee him/herself to be the real leader of India and its people? I guess, certainly not.

Anna Hazare announced yesterday, Govt. has accepted all Terms & Conditions of Civil Society. Now, either Anna Hazare is not understanding or he is just trying to give all credit to this govt (Forcing people to doubt). How can every terms & conditions be accepted, if it's just announced a Joint Drafting Committee?? Does that mean, they have nothing to do and just Cut, Copy & Paste the Civil Society's drafted Jan Lokpal Bill. Then why we need this drafting committee?? The answer is simple, it will be drafted as per convenience of govt. having the participation of civil society representative also. Then it will be proposed in parliament, where all parties will discuss it and then a final draft would be accepted. So only point that is missing here in the Drafting Committee is inclusion of Opposition. Why??

I've been an ardent supporter of this movement since its inception EXCEPT one objection: Supremacy of Lokpal over Judiciary.This will encourage more corruption, as Lokpal will become the supreme, presiding over all. It will dilute judiciary. But can it be so?? Take other perspective: It can NEVER happen. Our Judiciary has all rights to interpret the law. In our constitution, it's well written: Even if a law is passed from the parliament and if our Judiciary feels that it lack the Fundamental Rights, it can be quashed by the judiciary. And particularly our Fundamental Rights are NOT well defined. So Judiciary will define it accordingly. So Judiciary can never come under Lokpal. But before we go to that point, why we try to subdue our judiciary. It's judiciary only, which has kept corruption on its toe. Exceptions are always there.

I'm not trying to be cynical here. It's always good to be fair. The Civil Society must act more transparently and they will have to answer these questions to its people. I totally appreciate this movement. I have been a participant of this movement as a common people throughout and will be forever. However, we all are working towards Democracy, not towards Oligarchy. We all have to make it stronger. So let's spread awareness all around and take our nation to greatest ever heights.

Vande Mataram !!

Corruption Surrenders, India Wins!!

Anna Hazare leads the Civil Society of India towards the second Freedom Movement (Freedom from Corruption). He starts Fast-unto-Death till Jan Lokpal Bill drafted by Civil Society itself is accepted. After 4 days ...India creates History: India wins and corruption loses!!

Anna Hazare starts his Fast unto Death against corruption (05.04.2011) in demand for having Jan Lokpal Bill (Anti-Corruption Bill)

The Site of ANSHAN (Fast unto Death), Jantar-Mantar, New Delhi

India Awakening

Let’s face this. The Revolution has arrived. India’s second Freedom Movement is shaping its promising future. The New India is reckoning. And the New Age Gandhi is Anna Hazare. Enough is always enough. This has been realized by the people of India. And why not. The Youth of this country wants nothing less than best, from all walks of the life. If we can see their ecstatic run in streets after Indian Cricket Team wins World Championship in style, then also we can see another matured responsible citizens of new India. Just after 2 days, the cricket frenzy Nation forgets that celebration and joins the Crusade against corruption, which is never ever seen before in Indian History…This is India Against Corruption.

After facing the Tsunami of corruption, the Civil Society of India took the charge into their hands. They have already lost the faith in this country’s politicos. Thanks to the ruling UPA Govt. led by Congress, which passed all limits of corruption and forced people to feel that corruption is general to be normal.