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Mainstream, Vol XLIX, No 16, April 9, 2011

Mass Response to Anna Hazare’s Crusade

Editorial

Thursday 14 April 2011, by SC

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After the scenes of widespread jubilation portraying unprecedented national unity in the cricket field with India’s successful wresting of the World Cup defeating Sri Lanka on April 2, a remarkable phenomenon has rocked the country as a whole.

Eminent Gandhian social activist Anna Hazare’s dauntless and courageous fight against ubiquitous corruption has assumed the form of a veritable mass upsurge on the third day of his indefinite fast-unto-death in the Capital’s Jantar Mantar demanding an effective Lokpal Bill that will ensure a genuine move to tackle the scourge which has lately taken fearful proportions. The massive response to Anna’s fast-induced anti-corruption agitation, not just in New Delhi but across the nation and even among Indians overseas, provides a brilliant testimony to the right chord that his crusade has struck in the minds of the public in general, and the youth in particular (for whom he is the living embodiment of Gandhi), thereby giving a measure of the people’s discontent over the issue of corruption, especially corruption in high quarters, that affects the well-being of the citizens while undermining real development for the benefit of those at the lowest rungs of the socio-economic ladder (as opposed to growth in the interest of the elite segments comprising a small privileged minority in the higher echelons of society).

That Anna’s crusade has by now succeeded in making a national impact is vividly manifest in the resignation of Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar from the Group of Ministers (GoM) set up to check graft following the distinguished civil society leader’s public projection of Pawar’s membership in the panel as an example of the UPA Government’s lack of political will to seriously grapple with the problem. The Maratha strongman, according to him, is a highly “corrupt” personality, an allegation levelled by various sections of the masses in Maharashtra. After Pawar’s decision to quit the GoM, Anna’s cryptic reaction was: “Why is he still holding on to the ministerial chair?”

The positive response to Anna’s crusade has sent shock waves among members of the political fraternity who have a vested interest in perpetuating corruption in public life while rhetorically expressing their full-throated support to the movement. Thus on the one side the Union Government has opened talks with civil society members behind Anna Hazare (like Arvind Kejriwal and Swami Agnivesh) on the question of setting up a panel of civil society activists as well as government and political representatives, while on the other side a deliberate attempt is being made to highlight what one national daily has mischievously described as “cracks” having appeared “in Anna’s team”. Differences during discussions are quite natural in any democratic set-up. These differences should not be construed as leading to “cracks” in the movement. The Jan Lokpal Bill, which Anna and his colleagues have brought out in bold relief, has not been fully approved by some sections in the civil society but this need not necessarily be highlighted since being a true Gandhian at heart Anna is fully prepared for resolving differences through negotiations. However, what cannot be denied is that there is complete unanimity among all sections that the government’s draft of the Lokpal Bill is unacceptable. What is at the same time not being comprehened by some people, both in government and outside, is the mass revulsion against corruption that has catapulated Anna and his crusade to the national stage and given it the character of an exceptional mass movement. Unless one acknowledges this fact beyond lip-service one cannot wage a wholehearted and concerted as also tenacious struggle against graft that is eating into the vitals of our polity.

The bottom-line has been cogently spelt out in a Times of India editorial:
No anti-graft ombudsman can deliver with hands tied. So the Bill in its final form will test just how serious the government is on fighting corruption.

Meanwhile, concern is being justifiably expressed about 72-year-old Anna Hazare’s physical condition. But is this concern shared by the government functionaries as well? One wonders, since the two rounds of talks between the government and civil society activists backing Anna clearly show the former is feet-dragging and taking shelter behind technicalities instead of adopting a positive stand on the entire issue brought into sharp focus by the Gandhian crusader.

It must be categorically conveyed to the govern-ment that unless it alters its position it will be swept aside by the wave of public indignation and anguish that is steadily building up as seen from the massive reception to Anna’s courageous act. (As Shri Shri Ravi Shankar, on observing the phenomenal public outpouring of support for Anna Hazare, notes, “People today are able to clearly distinguish selflessness and sacrifice from selfishness and display of cosmetic sympathy.” More significantly, the public, and the youth in particular, are now able to understand the essence of the Gandhian struggle.) This is where the Congress President and UPA chairperson needs to intervene at the earliest. For in the political situation obtaining in the country today she is among the few leaders of consequence still enjoying some credibility among the people in general.

One last point. Anna Hazare’s crusade and the impact it has made among the people reveal the growing public urge to transform our representative democracy into a really participative democracy, the significance of which cannot be overestimated. But are the rulers and politicians of all hues able to realise the significance of this urge?

April 7 S.C.

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