Here is a snippet from the previous link: The aim of the bill is not to prevent corruption but to punish the corrupt. In this respect, the draft does not provide an approach that is qualitatively different from that of the existing institutions of the state."
It reminds me of an old proverb: Thievery cannot be abolished until the thieves have a change of heart!
Most of the time we talk or write as if the politicians are a different breed, race or from some distant planet. In the fight against corruption, I hear this cacophony more often than not. We forget that “we”, yes in double quoted boldend “we”, selected them as our representatives and they are most likely our friends’ or friends’ friends’ friends’ parents! They are very much like a lot of people we see in our close proximity. Unless otherwise we have a fundamental change in our attitude towards morality and decency in our interaction with the rest of the society, Lokpal or Jan Lokpal nothing can save us!
To drive home my point, here are some of our fellow citizens who will join Anna’s protest and then go about doing their business as usual….
At my residential complex: The thirteen plus year-olds that enjoy speeding in their dad's / mom's scooters are wide-eyed when they talked about "India against Corruption!" Straddled on their loaned vehicles they enthusiastically invited each other for joining the procession after school. Off they zoomed to their schools watched by their proud parents while the legal age for riding a vehicle is sixteen or eighteen (depending on cc of the vehicle). Why bother if mama (cop) catches, a few tens changing hands would solve the problem. One illegal activity will be nullified by another.
An ex-colleague of mine who was highly amused that I showed up for the driving test to get my license was equally proud to announce that he got his license from his hometown sent by post without him appearing for even the driving exam!! He's taking his day-off to join Team-Anna's procession. Hell! They demanded and got 1000 bucks from him for issuing that license - how unfair!
An Office bearer in my apartment residents' association who looked down upon me for being naive - for I applied for the ration card and has been waiting for years now, had advised me to use agents and speed-money (yeah that is the euphemism for bribe) to get things done faster. I was thrilled to see him sporting a “Fight Against Corruption!” badge on his wide chest buffed with pride!
A fifteen year old, that called for volunteers to help with the procession quipped “we got our freedom on 15th and lost it on 16th of Aug “. This is the second Freedom Struggle! – Obviously, he was borrowing the lines from the media reporting Anna’s arrest on 16th Aug. While I condemn the arrest, I only wish that the kid knows what “Freedom struggle” mean and does not think the “Greatest ever struggle for Freedom in the history of humanity is Avatar”!
As Mr. Gandhi said, “We must be the change we want to see in the world”. If not this mass movement spear headed by Anna will fizzle out and can only be likened to our guilt-steered support for ‘save the environment – dear pal, let us all switch off the lights on 10-10-10 at 10:10:10, and then head for our homes in our individual gas-guzzling big cars…! We have done our part!
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3 comments:
I bet 9 out of 10 Hazare supporters don't have the first clue what Hazare is up to. I quote Arundhati "whatever questions you may have about the Jan Lokpal Bill, here are the answers you're likely to get: tick the box — (a) Vande Mataram (b) Bharat Mata ki Jai (c) India is Anna, Anna is India (d) Jai Hind."
@RK, Here are some interesting conversations from Anna's procession:
1) Street Vendor who's selling "Anna is India, India is Anna" bracelet (come on! if Hollywood and Corporates can come up with their own merchandise, why not for team Anna. This is one smart Street Vendor, though): I don't understand what this meeting or procession is about, if so many educated people have come here leaving their work behind, it must be very important.
2) A college Student (Educated as per the Street Vendor): Of course, I don't understand everything about Jan Lokpal. I'm peeved that everyone is asking me whether I understand Jan Lokpal. It is not about Lokpal anymore, it is about fighting corruption. The Jan Lokpal was drafted by eminent personalities like Mr. Anna, Ms. Bedi, Mr. Kejriwal and Mr. Agnivesh (the Team Anna), they know what they are doing...
3) Team Anna: I wonder what they have to say....
Yes, "we" should have the moral and social responsibility and not wait for any bill. However one should also consider the problems with pragmatic approach. Can we wait for thieves change of heart to happen and not protect our communities? Same applies here. There are always people who will go through the struggle to exhibit the responsibility. There are hundred others who will only do this out of fear. When the corruption level has reached Himalayan proportions, we don't have time to wait for change of heart.
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