Today, Anna Hazare is the face of India’s fight against corruption. The common man and well-known personalities are supporting him in millions in his crusade against the cancer of corruption. Anna’s fight also drew the attention of the powers not only in India, but also by the governments of superpowers like USA. The US diplomats had gone to the level of advising the Government of India on measures to be taken in this regard. On a call for public discussion and debate on the proposed Lokpal supposed to be modeled on the lines of Ombudsman system of Scandinavia countries, the critics of the bill felt that it is a make believe Lokpal and toothless. Different activists, NGOs, Citizen groups, voiced their feelings and a group headed by Hazare proposed a model Jan Lokpal bill. During the discussion of this group with the identified ministers group many differences were hammered out. The inclusion of Prime Minister and his office, judiciary in the jurisdiction of the proposed bill became problematic because of the lack of unanimity among political groups and some sections of the Civil Society. Consequently, this Anti Corruption Icon announced indefinite fast unto death to pressurize the government. The pre fast arrest witnessed unexpected response and large scale protest from all sections/categories which forced the government to bow down and release Hazare. The Government failed to gauge the great impact of the fast by this Spotless, Honest, Truthful but Humble social worker. The participation of all groups/sections/categories/regions and the spontaneous upsurge, made the government jittery and it started damage controlling measures.
The whole movement raised certain pertinent issues like supremacy of Parliament, independence of Judiciary, unique position of PM etc., The Ministers group accused the Civil Society saying that Parliament is being belittled by the aggressive posture of Civil groups. They felt that it was the exclusive privilege of Parliament to make laws within its jurisdiction. It cannot be bullied or cowed down by any group. Anna’s movement attracted the youth, stirred their minds as happened in 1974 Total Revolution launched by Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan, a Gandhian. In the history of independent India, Hazare’s movement is next only to Jayaprakash Narayan’s. Though people’s anger and outburst has not crossed limits and no untoward situation happened. The assertion of the Civil Society especially youth both educated and uneducated, was not expected by the government. The various ways of protest and expression of sympathy and support like boycott of classes, processions of various types in every nook and corner, including our sleepy remote villages, enthusiastic support of suppressed and discriminated sections, protest by all profession groups, holding of public meetings, signature campaigns, sending post cards/SMS, candle light vigil, interactive TV channel programmes, use of social networking sites facebook and twitter etc., shows clearly the suppressed anger against corruption as every group or individual is a victim of corruption. The corruption permeated in every walk of life and in all stages. This monster of corruption is the root cause of the country’s under development.
The victory of Hazare was celebrated as a national festival by one and all. More than one lakh youth lead a great procession on the streets of Mumbai braving heavy rain. The people in the corridors of power should realize that ultimate sovereignty lies with the people alone and hence, the representative elected by the people can never be greater than people. Signifying this only the Preamble of our Constitution starts with “We the people of India solemnly proclaim:” It means that all power originated from only one source - people and people alone. Any other kind of interpretations or perceptions is only perverted. Infact this movement should not be focused and confined only to Lokpal and corruption. It might have been more extensive covering greater general problems confronting the country – Poverty, Inequality, Ill health, Illiteracy etc., Hazare’s announcement that he will spearhead another movement for the introduction of ‘Recall of elected representatives’ and other issues pertaining to electoral reforms is a welcome step. Existing government agencies have became alert and active and have arrestedmany VIPs and VVIPs whose names figure in the chargesheet filed in appropriate courts. This is only a tip of the iceberg.
The whole movement raised certain pertinent issues like supremacy of Parliament, independence of Judiciary, unique position of PM etc., The Ministers group accused the Civil Society saying that Parliament is being belittled by the aggressive posture of Civil groups. They felt that it was the exclusive privilege of Parliament to make laws within its jurisdiction. It cannot be bullied or cowed down by any group. Anna’s movement attracted the youth, stirred their minds as happened in 1974 Total Revolution launched by Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan, a Gandhian. In the history of independent India, Hazare’s movement is next only to Jayaprakash Narayan’s. Though people’s anger and outburst has not crossed limits and no untoward situation happened. The assertion of the Civil Society especially youth both educated and uneducated, was not expected by the government. The various ways of protest and expression of sympathy and support like boycott of classes, processions of various types in every nook and corner, including our sleepy remote villages, enthusiastic support of suppressed and discriminated sections, protest by all profession groups, holding of public meetings, signature campaigns, sending post cards/SMS, candle light vigil, interactive TV channel programmes, use of social networking sites facebook and twitter etc., shows clearly the suppressed anger against corruption as every group or individual is a victim of corruption. The corruption permeated in every walk of life and in all stages. This monster of corruption is the root cause of the country’s under development.
The victory of Hazare was celebrated as a national festival by one and all. More than one lakh youth lead a great procession on the streets of Mumbai braving heavy rain. The people in the corridors of power should realize that ultimate sovereignty lies with the people alone and hence, the representative elected by the people can never be greater than people. Signifying this only the Preamble of our Constitution starts with “We the people of India solemnly proclaim:” It means that all power originated from only one source - people and people alone. Any other kind of interpretations or perceptions is only perverted. Infact this movement should not be focused and confined only to Lokpal and corruption. It might have been more extensive covering greater general problems confronting the country – Poverty, Inequality, Ill health, Illiteracy etc., Hazare’s announcement that he will spearhead another movement for the introduction of ‘Recall of elected representatives’ and other issues pertaining to electoral reforms is a welcome step. Existing government agencies have became alert and active and have arrestedmany VIPs and VVIPs whose names figure in the chargesheet filed in appropriate courts. This is only a tip of the iceberg.
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