Anna Hazare has been instrumental in working in the Ralegan-Siddhi village in Maharashtra that was transformed from poverty to that of a model village. More details here.
Kafila gives a compilation of the methods he has used in this article and is quite critical of them. Although some of his moves may seem harsh, I would say certain things have to be done in a certain way for it to work.
Why now? Is there a hidden political motive behind this "movement"? Does this man Hazare want to head the Lokpal committee and boss over the country's top politicans making him a powerful man. Is he a dictator-wannabe? The last time when he captured attention in April, there were for-against factions, but when he has come the second time in a few months. Ah-ha! Is he an attention grabber?
I would say No. This is a really sincere one by Anna Hazare and others.
As far as Anna is concerned, he and his team can credited with bringing the attention to the issue. He does not have a political agenda behind this. I don't think the man's sincerity can be questioned.
Anna and team have not orchestrated this "I am Anna" movement nor have they gotten lucky. The people have given him this title and attention. That how it has worked.
The anti-Anna tirade has gotten louder and stronger and has reduced people to make unreasonable allegations and start a smear campaign against him. Bound to happen. I like this excellent reply to AR in times of india.
We have a long history of movements, fasts and agitations. We have the Narmada Bachao Andolan, Irom Sharmila against the Armed Forces special powers, against land grabbing, against acquiring forest lands.
Why this particular movement is more famous than the others - thanks 10% of the 24*7 news channels, thanks 90% as the emotions this has evoked. The corruption raakshas has become unbearable and people are truly for it. This is not some hyped up movement. The irritation of everyday bribery is a real issue and we want this to change.
No, this is not a Anna-fan party (like Rajinikanth fan party.)
This writer's article in Tehelka is a sensible one, however he has peppered the entire article with condescending attitude for the attention to the movement which is not acceptable. "For Team Anna, the YouTube generation is their target segment", "sizzling PR skills and media management strategies", "self-righteous crusaders with insouciant ease", " symptoms of delusions of grandeur have begun to set in"
However, I agree with a number of points he has made especially in the last paragraph.
Annaji, please break your fast. We will not think of you as weak or going back on your word. You have made your point loud and clear and we will not let it down. Please do not die on us.
I am personally in support of the movement, but do not believe Jan Lokpal is a perfect solution. It is a start and it is important. We have to revisit some of our laws, we have to push for implementation of existing laws. Penalty for non-performers must be imposed.
For all my dear friends, please show support for the anti-corruption movement if not for Anna or the Lokpal bill itself.
Until next time...
4 comments:
I was under the impression that the fasting and the Anna Hazare movement is 'for' passing the Jan Lokpal bill.
If you support Hazare, but don't believe that the bill is the right solution then supporting the movement makes no sense.
As i mentioned, I support the "anti-corruption" movement. It is good that so much focus has been bought on corruption.
I don't think JLP is a "complete" solution, maybe a stopgap solution.
Thanks to Anna for bringing focus to the issue.
Regardless, supporting the 'anti-corruption' movement is supporting the bill. Asking for supporting the anti-corruption movement is a shrewd way of getting the government to pass the bill.
Anyway, we are among the top 10 countries in terms of corruption, and I dont think it needed focus. What Anna did is give us a chance to voice our agitation and show our frustration. That is commendable. All the Indians who supported him now feel at peace. But the result of that given chance, and how successful it would be, remains to be seen.
Shrewd is a strong word to use especially when I have specified that the Jan lokpal bill is not a complete solution.
So what if India is top 10 in corruption in some list somewhere? This issue needs more focus. We all know it and almost nothing has been done so far. Good that the frustration is coming out now.
Support for the anti-corruption movement should push the authorities into bringing about a solution quickly.
This post was specifically for people who were against this - that is about 50% of people I know. I am not impressed with people who call this anti-corruption movement a farce. I have a feeling they just hate the hype (that invariably happens) and hence unaware of the long-term effects of this movement.
Post a Comment