A historical day, is it a watershed moment for India

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.

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.