They (Arvind and Prashanth Bhushan) should understand that the work at the Centre today is getting a good and strong anti - corruption law and not just “my version of the law”.

The last 11 days have been one of intense debate across the country. And may be the time has come for us to move away from the “Emotional Campaign” that we are seeing to a more “Enlightened” one. This view is shared by people like me who have been associated with the movement from its inception and also by other civil society activists.

The movement against corruption in India has been a fairly long one for many of us. A few of us have also used existing acts like the Right To Information (RTI) and the Prevention of Corruption Act in this fight against corruption. Experience gained out of such earlier fights clearly shows that there is a need for a comprehensive and effective anti - corruption law in this country.

The present UPA Government had made fighting corruption a part of its election manifesto and had in fact drafted a Lokpal Bill in 2010 itself. But it was weak and most of us subscribed to the view that “no law” was better than having a “weak law”. We were also worried that the Government would end up passing a law which would not only be ineffective but also make the common man complacent to anti - corruption issues.

It was then that many of us in the Civil Society got together to come up with our own draft and engage the Government with this draft. Simultaneously the National Campaign for People's Right to Information (NCPRI) also prepared a draft and substantial contributions for this draft came from Arvind Kejriwal. The Sub - committee on Good Governance of the National Advisory Council under the Chairmanship of Aruna Roy also started work on preparing a draft for the Government's consideration. With so many differing views it sparked off many debates among the civil society groups itself.

Around Nov - Dec 2010, Arvind had begun to disagree with the NCPRI team and wanted to have an Omnibus act that would not only be strong but also be comprehensive. The rest of the NCPRI team was of the view that the Act should not only be strong and comprehensive but also practical and implementable.

Arvind decided to come up with his own version of the draft. Around the same time, in December 2010, there was a “Corruption Saaku” campaign. As part of the launch ceremony, a walk was organised in Bangalore and Arvind, Jayaprakash Narayan of Lok Satta and myself spoke there. It was on that day that the Corruption Saaku team along with Arvind and all of us decided to take his draft and make it a part of a larger civil society initiative and get more people on board.

It was indeed Arvind's networking and convincing skills that got people like Anna Hazare, the Bhushans, Kiran Bedi, Swami Agnivesh, Justice Santosh Hegde and others under the banner of “India Against Corruption”.

A copy of the early draft was sent to the Prime Minister and to all Chief Ministers. There was no response. Then a few of us met the PM Dr. Manmohan Singh on the 7th of March 2011. The PM's response was not encouraging and in an emotional reaction Annaji announced his fast. We were taken by surprise with the fast and by the support we got. The Government too was completely taken aback at the national awakening.

There are many valid criticisms levelled against the movement on the Constitutional validity of such pressure tactics which have been well debated in the press. I would only like to mention here that consultation and participation in a pre - legislative process is not only fully constitutional but a sign of a mature democracy. How far should one go in doing this would be a more appropriate question?

The recent events that have unfurled over the last two days has led to many discomforting questions in many of us who have been associated with this movement from its inception.

We need to recognize that a few people in Delhi cannot represent the entire civil society and its views. Space should be given for a more consultative and democratic expression of ideas from others.

There are now three versions of the Bill that will be discussed in Parliament. While the government has softened its stand, a number of people are now asking “why is Anna being obstinate?” Swami Agnivesh, one of the key members of Team Anna, voiced his discomfort openly and questioned the continuance of the fast. And so, the view that Anna should give up his fast but continue his dharna at Ramlila grounds is gaining support within the members of the civil society. We now need to understand that however slow and long drawn the Parliamentary process is, it is the only recourse in a civilised democracy.

While civil society is well within its constitutional rights to demand laws to ensure good governance, we should let the process take place without subverting it with impractical timelines.

While we make demands of participation and consultation on the Government, it is only fair that Team Anna also be more transparent and democratic in its decision - making. Arvind and Prashanth Bhushan are seen to be the key persons advising Anna and they should understand the enormous responsibility on their shoulders. They should not let the surging and loud crowds distract them into making impossible demands and should use their new - found power with caution and discipline. They should understand that the work at the Centre today is getting a good and strong anti - corruption law and not just “my version of the law”. Other civil society voices also need to find a space in this debate and we should use the invitation of the Standing Committee of Parliament to present our views forcefully and effectively. And let us not forget that we could always revert back to peaceful and non - violent struggles if the Government and Parliament let us down. Making this struggle “Gandhian” will require for us to raise it morally higher and that will happen only when we allow existing institutions to function.

The time has come for Anna Hazare to give up his fast and engage not only the Government but also a wider group of civil society leaders, and use his popularity with the common man to keep the pressure on the Government and not relent till we have a strong, pragmatic and effective anti - corruption legislation.

Let us not forget that we can have this law only with the support, cooperation, and intelligent participation of civil society, the common people, parliamentarians of all political hues, and the Government in power. It is indeed a collective responsibility and we should not allow the ego of any one individual or institution to come in the way of what we Indians rightfully deserve.

Dr. R. Balasubrahmanyam
Founder, Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement
e-mail:drrbalu@gmail.com

Courtesy: Star of Mysore

Dr. R. Balasubramaniam is anti - corruption activist and the founder of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement.
He has been associated with Anna Hazare and the fight against corruption since its inception.
He can be reached at drrbalu@gmail.com.