So finally Anna Hazare has deferred his fast. Congress backed intellectuals tried their best to sabotage “Anti Corruption people’s movement” by calling it undemocratic and unconstitutional. I fail to understand why it was undemocratic – just because it was not led by MPs and Political parties. And was it unconstitutional because anti corruption leader have not take oath by keeping their hand on constitution.
Well, if that is the reason then 2G, 3G, CWG etc are all democratic and constitutional as they are led by Mps and political parties and their sponsors have taken oath under constitution. The power of democracy lies in people not in parliament. There are so many states in world which has constitution and parliament but run by dictators. Will we call them Democracy?
That is true Anna Hazare has not elected to any public post so was Mahatma Gandhi and JP (If I remember right. Students of history may correct me. ). Did British not listen to Gandhi? Did people not respond to JP’s total revolution?
People on street make democracy stronger not people in parliament. The beauty of democracy is, even the smallest minority should be and must be listened. Parliament is not isolated from the street views. Parliament should reflect what is happening on streets.
Oxford and Harvard educated MPs raised brouhaha over “ Lokpal Bill” Vs “Jan Lokpal Bill” calling the later impractical, misconceived and wishful. Didn’t this sound like the argument British put against Gandhi call for “Purna Swaraj”? The ruling elites always think they know the best but time and again history has proved them wrong.
A leisure drive on weekend in Bangalore shows the anger. Yes, these people might not understand the nuances of “Jan Lokepal Bill”. But tell me how many people during freedom struggle knew what was agenda of “Round Table Conference” which Gandhi ji left halfway to take care of his ailing goat or what was Gandhi-Irvin pact or what was “Khilafat Movement” ? When people trust their leader they leave the rest to his or her wisdom. For first 3 year of out nascent freedom there was only interim constitution. Does it mean there was anarchy those 3 years? Today’s leaders do not understand what trust means that is why they cannot see beyond nitty-gritty and procedural process.
Today everyone, getting your luxury car registered to get a BPL card is inflicted by corruption. But to divide the class, it was called a middle class movement. In my book, “The Reverse Journey” I have written “Indian Middle class is a economic entity not a political entity.” But this movement has brought middle class on streets. It is good for country.
It was the same class which chose to take his pet dog on morning walk rather than watch Independence Day parade. They would have watched a ‘C’ grade well endowed, scantily dressed starlet in a realty show rather than taking wisdom from out highly learned PM. They did not respond to neighbors’ call but they responded to Anna’s call. They reason is bigger than “Jan Lokpal Pal.” It is manifestation of their frustration of being marginalized and taken for a ride. It is their way of saying “enough is enough”, we do exist.
And what is wrong with it? Middle class is backbone of any country. If they become aware of their existence, why they are booed. ? Are they only entitled to pay taxes, pay bribes and pay cess and live in a cesspool of bribery? Is middle class a mulching cow which should never raise a moo?
The last argument was “Anti corruption movement was anti Dalit and anti Muslim”? I cannot really comment on this. In this country, anything that does not have congress blessing is Anti Dalit and Anti Muslim. Congress treats them at their private fiefdom. Do Dalits and Muslims not pay bribes?
About Author: Vivek Singh is author of “The Reverse Journey” which is the story of a middle class Indian professional’s journey from India to USA and back home. Google preview can be seen at
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