Fight corruption not Anna

Ask the government to make a mess of straight forward issues, post the dis-agreement with the governments version Anna has announced that he would be back with his protest by Aug 15 if the government does not revise its version (read make it stricter), instead of engaging him government chose to ignore him, they underestimated his resolve and his popularity, they hit him below the belt making wild allegations. They are paying the price. He is running away with the popular mandate.

They treated the old man with dis-respect, but this old man is no ordinary person he can run after 3 days of fasting, he is simple and uncomplicated in his demand (pass Jan Lokpal bill), he is not as intellectual as some of the cabinet ministers and congress spoke persons who are trying to besmirch him. He is the proverbial David in David vs. goliath. He does not understand technicalities like Parliament is supreme blah blah, he just wants his bill to be debated in the parliament, he wants to see if our great elected class has the courage to come out openly against corruption, they are terrified with his version, they are talking vague legislative terms but not able to convince the citizen why it is so difficult.

Anna’s Jan Lok pal may be on the other extreme but there needs to be a debate on what is the most effective bill (so called middle ground). Anna has touched a chord with the youth and middle class of the country. Is this a water shed moment for India to get rid of the corruption in public life. All sorts of intellectuals are debating and are pointing fingers at Anna, they are saying he is arrogant, he is highhanded, his ways are undemocratic etc. I agree, may be his methods are not exactly democratic but for a common man he is a messiah, the citizen is tired of the corruption in the system.

Life is hell for the common man, all interactions and interfaces with the government are troublesome, there is no transparency, they hound you for money for all transactions. The government and political class are not in touch with the ground realities, folks it is tough to live in India, inflationary conditions for over two years, high prices, 600 million BPL citizens who find it hard to have a square meal, we let food grains rot but not distribute it to the BPL families, there is no accountability in the system. Hence we see the spontaneous reaction to Anna’s call, it is genuine, and it is needed. If not now it may take 60 more years. Government should act now, next in line should be electoral reforms.

Anna all the best, your methods I don’t know but your intent we are with you.