IS OPPOSING JAN LOK PAL BILL ANTI-NATIONAL

I liked the interview when Anna Hazare candidly replied that he won’t contest elections as he knew that he would lose his deposit.   Hazare said, "If I enter politics and become the Prime Minister tomorrow, I won't be able to do what I can do today."

"What you can do from outside, you cannot do being part of the system (government)...I never thought of joining politics. Even if I join and contest any election, I may lose deposit because I don't have huge money-power and also the public is now aware enough," he said.

"The voter is not aware. Many of them cast their votes for a Rs100 note or a bottle of liquor. Voter is yet to understand the value of his vote," he added.

The above words of Anna Hazare sum up the entire scenario of the state of affairs of our country in a nutshell, which is why I am not convinced of the effectiveness of a Jan Lok Pal.

This also sets a dangerous precedent which does not augur well for the future of our society.  Mahatma Gandhi would have taken the system head on and would have never uttered words in despair.  Anyway, Gandhiji was a shrewd leader of the masses and criss-crossed the length and breadth of the country.  He addressed a lot of issues ranging from untouchability to local self government.  There was no NDTV, Times Now, Facebook, Internet.  The supporters of Gandhiji were hapless people, the very class which the middle class looks down upon and accuses them of casting votes for Rs.100 note.  But then, there can be no Mahatma Gandhi again and Anna Hazare is no Gandhi, as he himself suggests.

Jan Lokpal, in Hazare’s words is power without responsibility.  Since we cannot do what we set out to do as PM, the easiest way is to exert power from outside and form a body, which will deliver law and justice.  When Hazare says that voter is not aware, I wonder how he feels confident that the poor will approach the Lokpal for justice, when he feels that they are not mature enough.

Degrading the poor is an insult to Indian Democracy.  The rural folk is much aware than their urban counterparts, and I can cite various instances when the Indian common man has overthrown the most powerful men from their offices by casting their vote.  I can cite various instances in which people have come in vast numbers despite threats from Naxalites and voted right persons to power.  Assam has registered nearly 70% voting percentage, but I cannot say the same of Mumbai and New Delhi.  Many of the educated middle class are in fact far more biased and hypocrites.  Just opposite my office, in a busy intersection, I see many intelligent educated ones in bikes and cars, who always flout rules and thrust bribes in the pocket of the traffic police, if caught.  These are the ones, who often complain about corruption and abuse the policemen who stand all day in broad sunlight, in case of any interference.

Look at the RTI Act.  The initiative ultimately has to come from the people to set the system in order.  They will have to seek justice by knocking the doors of the Chief Public Information Officer, Appellate Authority and if not, satisfied address their grievances before the Chief Information Commissioner.  That takes a little bit of effort and time from their side, which many are not prepared to undertake.  There are no free lunches in this world.  You cannot expect a Chief Information Commissioner of a Lok Ayukt to come to your house and address your problems.  The Jan Lok Pal does not explain how the interests of the complainants will be protected.  The Whistleblower Protection Act is yet to see the light of the day.  The Jan Lok Pal does not explain how it intends to expedite the trial of the accused in one year.  What about the backlog of the cases that are already pending in the Sessions Courts and Higher Courts?  What about the plight of the poor under trials who are battling for justice but languishing in jail?

When certain sections of people say that they do not have confidence in the functioning of our democracy, it is a matter of grave concern.  We cannot have short-cut solutions.  Tomorrow, many more may undertake a fast for some other demands, and this can land the government and the country in a soup.  We need a sustained political movement, wherein the right thinking people encourage youth to join politics and play a proactive role rather than shun it and avoid responsibility.  It is not right on the part of the NGOs that our government lacks able and educated leaders.  Aren’t the leaders of the ruling party or the opposition parties capable or educated enough?  It is a different matter, that, sometimes, the educated ministers are involved in the biggest of scams and get away unscathed.

The effectiveness of the CVC remained only as long as Vitthal was the Chief Vigilance Commissioner and everyone hailed the CVC as the crusader against corruption.  Same was the case of Election Commission which gained prominence after T.N. Seshan.  The onus of running the system rests on the individuals rather than the system prevailing over the individuals.  The NGOs claim that the Lok Pal will be effective as it will contain members from the civil society, especially those who have bagged Nobel and Magsaysay awards.  Why are we in search of a crusader against corruption for us when the reforms should come from within each and every citizen.  Today, the media can make or mar a person.  If popularity of any movement is to be gauged through the eyes of the media, Tamil comedy actor Vadivelu should be next Chief Minister going by the huge crowds shown during his rallies in SUN TV.

When I express dissent or speak against Lok Pal, it does not mean that I am in favor of the corrupt.  Expressing Dissent is the wonderful feature of Democracy.  The youth should be encouraged to appreciate differences of opinion and oppose any assault to freedom of expression.  It is easier said than done and calls for a high degree of tolerance.  The pioneers of the movement against corruption should take into account all these issues and bring awareness among all sections of the society.

The movement against corruption needs to be a sustained one and not restricted to 5-day drama.