“I am Anna,” “Anna aage bado hum tumhare saath hai…,” these are some of the slogans chanted across the nation. This overwhelming people’s participation has been due to years of suffering corruption in every interaction or transaction with the government. Also today corruption is documented unlike earlier when it was just anecdotal. Today we have proof of corruption thanks to sting operations and RTI activists. Finally the people have found in Anna Hazare a figure somewhat like Gandhiji, credible and focused.

This 72 – year - old man’s fight is righteous, he is noble and his demand truly reasonable. Then why was the government so unresponsive? The Lokpal Bill has been around for 42 years since 1969. It was last tabled in the Parliament in 2008. And as expected, it did not pass. How will it? After all, there is honour amongst thieves. What Anna Hazare and activists were asking was to simply include members from the civil society who are apolitical and knowledgeable in the Lokpal Bill drafting committee and they wanted it in the form of a notification, a legally binding document. Is that too much to ask in a democracy?

More importantly, Anna Hazare’s demands were in step with a progressive, effective and an efficient democracy. So then why does a man with intellect such as Kapil Sibal not encourage these steps? Instead he was condescending in his disposition.

Our Prime Minister is heralded as being a man of unquestionable integrity. Then why didn’t he advise the woman with unquestionable power controlling his party that it is only right to accept a demand that is going to have far - reaching progressive implications for generations to come?

Also we want to ask why did our good Prime Minister tolerate a Lokpal Bill drafted by the government where a complainant has to send his complaint to the Speaker and if the Speaker admits it, only then is it sent to the Lokpal to be investigated? Shockingly, if the official is found guilty, there is no provision for the Lokpal to file an FIR. On the contrary, if the investigation proves that the complaint was frivolous, then the draft says Lokpal has the authority to imprison the complainant! If this is not sinister and anarchic, then what is Mr. Prime Minister?!

The Lokpal Bill of the government may not have teeth but the Jan Lokpal Bill drafted by the civil society too is not perfect, because it tends to go beyond the purview of tackling corruption. That is too much power in the hands of a Lokpal which is expected to be made up of unelected representatives, which of course can be tweaked. That is why we have the drafting committee.

So let’s hope the drafting committee does not become a playground for egotism. It must not end up like our other governmental committees packed with bureaucrats where there is more information than knowledge, more knowledge than wisdom and more intelligence than imagination. There is bound to be friction in this committee but let’s hope it produces more light than heat.

Of course it remains to be seen what happens once the Bill is drafted with the consent of all the members in the committee. Will the Bill pass in the Parliament and become a law? Will politicians pass a Bill that is almost suicidal considering that nearly 70% of them can be prosecuted by it? If the same support sustains, it just might pass.

Youth in revolt:
Yes, they have finally woken up and given democracy hope. But let’s hope this is not just Egyptian euphoria or just the “yearning” to be part of a movement. Because many of us are now wondering where were these youth on election day? The youth and middle class of this country did not come to vote, they did not make any "civil-society activist" stand for election, let alone canvass and make him win.

Where were these youth activists and their social media revolution when Karunanidhi announced free laptops, mixies and grinders for voters? Where were they when the Delhi University election was held with the support of political parties, where were these students when their peers beat a Delhi Professor to death?

But now they have suddenly appeared, some wearing a “cool” white band and screaming catchy commercial slogans such as “corruption se katti, pehno white phatti.” But shouldn’t passion be shown towards fighting all injustices? But then it’s better late than never. While we thought the youth didn’t care, now we know they do and are willing; willing to take the responsibility to make this a better nation. While it’s a relief and oh – so - promising to see the youth finally come out, it’s also time for them to display their power at the voting booth before they take their war online. Because, policy makers are elected not by tweeting but by voting. A government will not work when people express only bouts of displeasure, but it bends and throws up solutions when there is sustained intolerance against all injustices. May be the time has come, may be in the next election the urban vote turnout will be more significant.

Our moral fabric:
Now, while the Lokpal will take care of politicians and bureaucrats, what about the people?

For example, it is an utter insult to our morality when we see a Traffic Policeman standing under a traffic light that is functioning. The very idea of having a traffic light is to avoid that extra Policeman. But under numerous traffic lights stand Policemen, a necessary redundancy because if the traffic cop is not there, then we tend to jump the light. We have never been the self - regulating kind.

RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal said: “People are going to challenge the Parliament… people have a right to dictate to the government.” But isn’t elections one of the legit ways to do it? Also when Anna Hazare was asked if he would stand for elections, his reply was, “I will lose my deposit.” This shows that there is another India that actually votes, albeit for the wrong kind of people and for the wrong reasons. Hence before we go about expecting a corruption - free India, we need to have corruption - free Indians. We need voters who reject TVs, laptops, mixies and grinders. Corruption goes beyond just a government official taking a bribe or a politician siphoning off funds, it is about the fabric of morality.

The protest in Jantar Mantar saw numerous music performances, skits and celebrities but unfortunately, we did not see a single platform or structured dispensation of information to educate the population on Jan Lokpal Bill. All that was given were pamphlets. Educating the mass is as important as getting them to march.

This morning, Anna Hazare lost precious calories in 15 minutes than in the past four days. He looked more tired trying to request the crowd to maintain silence so he could announce the final outcome than while negotiating with the government. So the members of the civil society were not civil enough to keep quiet for a few minutes and let the tired old man make the glorious announcement. So the protestors must behave maturely, it lends credibility.

In the end, the Anna Hazare movement is a step in the right direction but only when the Bill is made into a law, will we see the real effect. India will truly take her first step towards being a corruption - free democracy when we learn to self - regulate. When the Policeman disappears from under the traffic light, the real revolution will begin. Until then, let us celebrate this victory of hope.

Vikram Muthanna
vikram@starofmysore.com
Courtesy: Star of Mysore

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