Anna Hazare’s massive struggle for ushering greater accountability and transparency in Indian polity has received applause and accolades from all corners of the country and all sections of the society. (I had already predicted in my earlier post on this blog, "Scams that rocked Indian politics-but only a resignation came off" ,that the people are fed up of scams and a massive movement against corruption is likely to come up any time soon). While the ostensible objective of this agitation has centered around the Lok Jan Pal Bill (a Bill which envisages an independent ombudsman to deal with corruption cases) and the committee to deliberate the nitty-gritty details and mechanisms that would be laid down by the Bill and actors, pseudo-intellectuals, self-proclaimed spiritual gurus and vote-thirsty politicians trying to ride on a wave have jumped the bandwagon in supporting Anna’s cause, I am sceptical about the direction in which the movement is heading.
As media reports indicate most Indians have joined and supported Anna only as they feel that this movement may offer a glimmer of hope and may to some extent reach the conscience of our wealth-plundering politicians and bureaucrats. While the movement may have succeeded in its short term objective of convening a formal joint committee comprising of intellectuals and Ministers to deliberate on the Jan Lokpal Bill, there is great apprehension as to the sustainability of such a movement. Hazare’s fast has been called off after government’s conciliatory tone and partial acceptance of the agitation’s demand, but while the people may be ready to make India the next Egypt and revolt till there is a revamp in India’s polity and change in the mindset of political leaders, social activists may lack the grit and determination to fight till the end. While it is true that people truly want change and are tired of the loot carried out by politicians and bureaucrats alike, can the pressure be kept on until the politicians are forced to change their mindset towards their profession. After all instead of begging and bullying the political class to bring out the necessary changes, will it not be appropriate if the pool of politicians comprise of individuals who truly represent and understand the sentiments of the people? Why not vote corrupt and inconsiderate individuals and political parties out of power and bring a structured change in the manner in which the political system has evolved to operate in the past few years?
Social activists have done a tremendous job in polarizing the people’s sentiments in a mass movement. But the point is, you can change some bits of a political system through external pressure tactics and polarization of people, but a revolutionary or radical change can only happen if there is a systematic change within, if necessary through overthrow of the present inefficient system in place. Partial victories can be achieved through social agitations, but if we accept the proposition that most politicians today are corrupt, won’t they leave an exit option or loop-hole in the implementation part of the Lok Janpal Bill, even if their tactics of mollifying, pacifying and promising to consider demands fail?
If based on the currency and momentum obtained in this crusade against corruption, social activists, students and honest politicians systematically try to bring about change by way of contesting elections (and since they have such wide-spread popular support), the magnitude of success will only be multiplied.
Inspiration can be taken from Andhra Pradesh’s successful social rights activist Dr. Jayprakash Narayan who’s Loksatta Party has won a sizeable proportion of votes and one legislative assembly seat mainly on the plank of social welfare and anti-corruption crusade.
For example, Hazare ji thorugh his activism and struggle managed to bring about change in one village, Ralegaon Siddhi in Maharashtra. If however he chose to join politics and become an MLA or MP, he would have been able to usher change in a much-more rapid scale and at a much faster rate (since he would have enormous amount of funds and institutional support at his disposal).
Thus, in conclusion I would just like to urge sincere social activists to try and change the system at a much faster rate by entering the mainstream. If you wish to change the system you would be able to do it on a faster pace by joining the system.
Why just urge the "sincere social activists"? Why shouldn't each one of us take the initiative? We are so used to being in our comfort zones and expect others to fight the fight on our behalf. Its high time we woke up and took the baton in our own hands. If each one of us would do our little bit, am sure we can overcome the situation. But, the question is 'do we really want to do it? Are we ready to pay the price?' or like always sit back and wait for others to raise their voice.
ReplyDeleteThe choice is purely ours to simply crib and rant about it or get into action.
Yes, each of us should take initiative and try to vote for the appropriate people and change the political system: That would be the best way to bring change. Also social activists trying to bring change should do it by contesting elections rather than by only holding dharnas etc.
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