Every idea has a time and the time and need for a strong and compelling Lokpal for curbing corruption in public life has come and hopefully will be a reality soon. It was envisaged 45 years earlier, had many intermediate failed attempts, nevertheless today is a historical moment for Indian Democracy, today the Indian Parliament stood up and took on the challenge posed by Anna Hazare and the civil society. They have debated the issue brilliantly and passed a near unanimous resolution for an effective Lokpal. By doing so they have instilled confidence in a billion people that they are sensitive to their aspirations.
However there were discordant notes on the methods used by Shri Anna in achieving the outcome, some in parliament were uncomfortable that they are being driven to act by the civil society. Some MPs tried hard to impress upon the supremacy of the parliament in making laws. Some of them are scarred that the civil society will resort to the same tactics to achieve their objectives. For once they are at the receiving end. They had to climb down from their high horses and surrender to the will of the people. But isn’t it democracy all about, for the people. As the Prime Minister said post the session that the “Parliament spoke for the people”.
But in the whole episode there was disappointment in terms of the leadership shown by the congress, they failed to seize the moment, they were defensive, more concerned about the opposition scoring brownie points, they lost the plot and may lose in 2014. Opposition did not do better but recovered well and were sensitive enough to understand the pulse of the people. Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley were brilliant in the debate, the congress member’s rebuttal was weak. Once again they were defensive and addressing the opposition rather than the nation on their stance on Lokpal and corruption. It was an opportunity lost for Mr. Rahul Gandhi too, his lecture missed the point, he should have been advised better. Leadership is about rising to the occasion and he has missed a brilliant opportunity to put himself in the race for the country’s leadership. Kudos to his cousin Varun he was extempore and relevant.
It is a historical day in our democracy and it was thrilling watch the proceedings’ on TV both in the parliament and at the Ramlila maidan, there was a sense of expectation throughout, in the end democracy did not fail us. It is still vibrant though imperfect.
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Anna's effort has created a lot of interest, awareness and a pinch on our backs of the ills corruption in our country. Encouraging corruption is a much more dangerous virus than being corrupt - while the latter is just a manifestation of greed and a shortcut to material success, the former is a sign of dormant attitude of getting used to mediocrity and not trying to raise a voice for our rights, leave alone fight. The great Indian middle class, the likes and me and many others, have I guess have now consummately become a part of this hypocrisy. Any great event that takes place in our lives, getting a marriage certificate, building a house, getting a ration card, breaking the queue to get your passport, etc., getting a death cetificate for a legitimate accidental death, - makes us go thru a conscious-wrenching experience.
ReplyDeleteAll of us engage in some form of corruption or the other, but what bothers most is that, when the individuals get robbed of their fundamental rights. There is a thin line between getting exploited and getting cheated. The latter tantamounts to corrupt behaviour - the former is a conscious decision of the individual to "agree".
To be continued Ram!!