As a country most Indians have accepted the notion that corruption is a fact of life. And nothing can be done. Most indulge in it, in most cases to gain some advantage or benefit, and then blame it on the system. So when a old, frail man said he’s going to go on a hunger strike to get the government to take some action to reduce corruption, everyone, especially those in power gave it exactly 1 day before a sweet deal was made and we continued the way we did. And pretended that nothing had happened. And that’s when a strange unexplainable wave took over the country.
A wave of disgust at the state of affairs. And support for the 1 man army of Anna Hazare. Thousands of Indians spontaneously landed up at the venue of the hunger strike. Rallies that were filled with supporters of the movement were held all over the country. The social media was abuzz and inundated with support for the cause. Facebook conversations revolved around Anna and it became the no. 1 tweeted about subject.
The wave of support was reaching an intensity rarely seen before. And the Government started worrying. The spokespersons who were arrogant and blunt and trashing the fast suddenly disappeared. And the moderates started showing up at television studios for debates and interviews. And the tone took a U turn. The cause was just. Everyone, especially the government wanted exactly what Anna Hazare had wanted. And if he would break his fast, they could discuss and come to a mutual understanding.
But Anna Hazare happened to be not only a person who knew what he wanted, but knew the dangers of ambiguous assurances and empty promises. He had his list of demands. And nothing less would do. 4 days later, finally the Government caved in. And what was supposedly impossible because of legal complications happened overnight.
Today’s Newspapers ran this article
“Gandhian Anna Hazare on Saturday (April 9) called off his hunger strike bringing to an end his 98-hour protest after government issued a gazette notification constituting a 10-member Joint Committee of ministers and civil society activists, including him, to draft an effective Lok Pal Bill. Curtains were drawn on the anti-corruption campaign that drew instant nationwide support with a little girl giving the 73-year-old activist a glass of water at 10.45 am at Jantar Mantar, the nerve-centre of the agitation for a strong legislation to combat political and administrative graft. Earlier, Hazare offered water to some women, among the over 300 activists who had joined the fast. Social activists Swami Agnivesh, Medha Patkar and Kiran Bedi hailed Hazare's campaign as the Gandhian said he would to continue the fight for the "second struggle for independence".
Thus proving once again that in the land of Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhigiri’s principle of Satyagraha or non violent protest still works.
A wave of disgust at the state of affairs. And support for the 1 man army of Anna Hazare. Thousands of Indians spontaneously landed up at the venue of the hunger strike. Rallies that were filled with supporters of the movement were held all over the country. The social media was abuzz and inundated with support for the cause. Facebook conversations revolved around Anna and it became the no. 1 tweeted about subject.
The wave of support was reaching an intensity rarely seen before. And the Government started worrying. The spokespersons who were arrogant and blunt and trashing the fast suddenly disappeared. And the moderates started showing up at television studios for debates and interviews. And the tone took a U turn. The cause was just. Everyone, especially the government wanted exactly what Anna Hazare had wanted. And if he would break his fast, they could discuss and come to a mutual understanding.
But Anna Hazare happened to be not only a person who knew what he wanted, but knew the dangers of ambiguous assurances and empty promises. He had his list of demands. And nothing less would do. 4 days later, finally the Government caved in. And what was supposedly impossible because of legal complications happened overnight.
Today’s Newspapers ran this article
“Gandhian Anna Hazare on Saturday (April 9) called off his hunger strike bringing to an end his 98-hour protest after government issued a gazette notification constituting a 10-member Joint Committee of ministers and civil society activists, including him, to draft an effective Lok Pal Bill. Curtains were drawn on the anti-corruption campaign that drew instant nationwide support with a little girl giving the 73-year-old activist a glass of water at 10.45 am at Jantar Mantar, the nerve-centre of the agitation for a strong legislation to combat political and administrative graft. Earlier, Hazare offered water to some women, among the over 300 activists who had joined the fast. Social activists Swami Agnivesh, Medha Patkar and Kiran Bedi hailed Hazare's campaign as the Gandhian said he would to continue the fight for the "second struggle for independence".
Thus proving once again that in the land of Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhigiri’s principle of Satyagraha or non violent protest still works.
No comments:
Post a Comment