As I write this blog history is being created in Independent India with the passing of the Lokpal bill (though it has to be passed in Rajya Sabha). It took 60+ years to get here. Meanwhile country has suffered irreparable damage with corruption destroying public institutions and has set India back by a couple of decades in terms of development.
The bill in its present form does not provide for a truly independent Lokpal but is some step anyway. No wonder it took so long since the class that needs to fear the most from the bill crafted it very carefully and ensured that they have a hold on the institution. It was evident that none of them wanted an independent investigating body like CBI.
As usual high sounding statements like parliament is supreme were made. SP and BSP with dubious credentials in fighting corruption walked out saying the bill was not strong enough. Lalu Yadav was ferocious in opposing the bill, he has to for obvious reasons. At the end of it our parliamentarians do not want to be subjected to higher scrutiny on their integrity. Together they proved that in India politics is not about service but about self importance to the elected individual and of course looting the public exchequer at will.
If one were to make a list of ongoing scams in the country – telecom, mining, food procurement, road contracts, liquor bids it is powerful ministers and elected members who are behind them. They are running scared about Lokpal, RTI itself is causing them sleepless nights. There are noises RTI should be amended.
Anna’s movement has scarred them enough to pass a diluted Lokpal, I am sure Anna will continue to exert pressure on the parliament to amend the bill to make it more powerful. Political analysts and TV pundits have changed their tone and have started to question Anna’s methods, they too are talking about parliamentary supremacy etc…. it is shameful. The fight for ending corruption is directly related to the country’s development and aiding the socially and economically backward progress. We will be crushing their dreams if a stronger Lokpal is not brought out. For example the Food security bill is aimed at providing subsidized grains to 70% of the population, it is a fantastic ground for our leaders to make big money and I am sure they will make a killing.
There is nothing to show for the largest democracy in the world in terms of achievement in the areas of human development, Infrastructure, literacy, world class institutions etc, we are just happy to claim we are the largest democracy in the world. Corruption is the root cause for India’s underdevelopment and this opportunity should not be lost.
This arguement always gets me to one fundamental question - are we game to exercise our franchise when it matters. Just look at the voting percentages in
ReplyDeleteelections of any kind - parliament, state assemblies, municipal elections, ward elections (here its pathetic)... the meagre percentage shows our apathy and
disinterest in civic life. While I cannot substantiate with data, we have a large chunk of wise guys glued to TV sets at homes - not going out to vote. The
voting booths are generally closed before 5 pm.. with our voting population, they must do overtime. Juxtapose that with the queues at multiplexes for
movies...
The middle class, the educated lower middle class (assuming middle class is all educated), the TV watching elite, the Genx (18 to 25 years olds), the digital
world shenanigans (who go the extra mile to talk about world affairs and the why it is so difficult to use the ipad for that extra feature) - A LARGE CHUNK
OF THIS COMPLANING JANATA, DOES NOT VOTE. If they do, our voting percentages will touch 75 to 80%. Now why am I saying this!!!
I believe this is the public that does not sell its vote. This is the class of people who feels the pain on a "retail basis" - the class of people which does
not have the white ration card - the class of the people who have got used to ROUTINE & CHALLENGE of MAKING ENDS MEET - while the businesses get the MARK TO
THE MARKET. This is the class of people which is discerning, knows the difference between right and wrong, does not participate in strikes and hartals, feels
the pain for the wasting tax they pay....and this is the class of people which has the wisdom and power to exercise the RIGHT choice.
My hope and desire is that - if these are the votes that get polled - they would choose the right guy from their constituency - an educated one, who dares to
take social service and politics as a career, who understands and comprehends public issues, who understands and stands for his own as well as his
others'rights, can vote for a guy who fights for those who cannot fight for themselves.... We can choose a "people's representative" - agnostic to a
political party, but aligned to the right politic - of making choices work....
Am I now talking of advanced citizenship???...Am I asking myself of too much??.. Am I assuming that a class of people is thick skinned, vexed, has given-up
hope and is in despair??? - and is listening to any fellow who holds a microphone to doctored arguements interspersed by breaks just when the momentum takes
on????....
The message I carry from Anna Hazare's movement is this - The politicos may ridicule Anna now by passing a soft, sub-standard lok pal bill. It could bite the
dust in the Upper house too.. But then, LOK (THE PEOPLE) IS AWAKANED FOR THIER PAL(RULE).
Lets AWAKEN and EXERCISE OUR FRANCHISE WHEN WE GET A CHANCE TO VCOTE NEXT TIME.
The voting percentage should be so overwhelmingly high, it should SURPRISE THE WORLD.
VOTING SYSTEM IS STILL MANUAL.. ONE MUST BE PRESENT,STAND IN LINE FLASHING A CARD, PUNCH A SYMBOL, FOLD THE PAPER, DROP IN THE BOX, PUT A "TEEKA" AND WALK
OUT... "AND THEN WE CAN SHOW THE MIDDLE FINGER TO THE ONES WHO YOU WANT OUT"
But to get people to do this.... and spread Anna's spirit and message.... Lets -----(Read these as verbs)
FACEBOOK, TWEET, GTALK, GMAIL, CHAT, AND SEND 1 Paisa SMS msgs to all who have a voting chance ....
If there is anything that we can learn from Egypt it is this... SPREAD THE MESSAGE .. THE MESSAGE TO EXERCISE OUR FRANCHISE.. I am sure You will never let
your choice let you down!!!
DEAR GENX.... USE YOUR POWER...STUDENT POWER SHOULD BE USED THIS WAY....
Like we try our bit to protect our environment to go GREEN... LETS GET THE GREEENERY TO POLITICS AND MAKE IT SUSTAINABLE....
JAI HIND!!!
Thanks Ram... your message was provocation enough.... Lets see how many will respond....