Looking through the annals of history, we find that there were revolutions ever since humankind came into existence. Wikipedia defines revolutions as, "A revolution (revolutio, "a turn around") is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time."
Three pillars to be identified: Fundamental Change, Power Structure and short period of time.
We have seen, in the recent memory, examples of Revolutions: the Cairo uprising, Qadhafi's debacle in Libya and the others collectively known as the Arab Spring. The pillars are intact: the countries moved from dictatorships to democracies in a very short period of time.
We might as well consider our own revolutions: the White and the green revolutions turned India from an import dependant nation to one that could feed its millions (later billions) on its own. Liberalizattion in the early 1990's struck down the socialistic pattern of business and made India a player on the global stage. The timeline for these may not be exactly short, but the effect of these had started trickling in in about 1/10 of the time that the country was free. Relatively short!
Anna, a man of courage and conviction, had successfully ousted a lot of ministers and had become a master at the satyagraha route. The team at IAC was undoubtedly devoted and had the best names to count as friends and the heaviest names to count as foes. The Lokpal, as they earlier called it, would bring unparalleled transparency into the country across the spectrum and will bring the guilty to the gallows. They started out with demanding some sort of representation to draft the bill. The government granted the same, much to the dismay of BJP and others, who wanted the opposition in the parliament to be consulted as well. The government did go the extra mile and included 5 members on a parity level (in terms of numbers). Also, the members were nominated by the team. Probably, the government could have been highhanded and included all NAC members. Yes they are civil society and yes they are the intelligentia who think and work for the betterment of people.
This is where problem started. The moment a sizeable public opinion was with them, the IAC seized the moment and started blackmailing the government. In doing so, they became exactly what they despise: an opaque organization with a few leaders who shall mould public opinion to their interests and leave aside others in their race to fame.
I read an article in Tehelka (http://www.tehelka.com/story_main50.asp?filename=Ws210911IAC.asp) today that informs that the IAC team shall focus on poll bound areas and will campaign against anyone who does not support Jan Lokpal. The team is leaving no room for an informed debate. They seem to be banking on the same adage as dictators of the world- Its my way or the highway.
I admit corruption has surpassed accepable levels, and probably the same has started showing in terms of rising inflation, dipping growth rates, falling investor sentiments and a general sense of being cheated upon. I also agree that we need a sustainable and effective mechanism to deal with the same. However, having the Janlokpal and not the Lokpal or the NCPRI Lokpal will not eradicate corruption overnight. Best case, it will deter people. Worst case, it will end up with 32000 pending cases which then go the courts and end up nowhere. Probably, strengthening of the CBI, CVC and implementation of police reforms will go a longer way in correcting this mess. We need to debate that. If, on the back of unending support from people, the IAC forces legislators to blindly vote for their idea, it will be a defeat of the democracy that we champion.
But, the support is not endless. A characteristic of the modern day media is easy access, which almost translates into easy egress. It grants 15 minutes of fame to everyone. From the sweet little voice from Dehradun to the troubled South Indian in Delhi. The movement banked on social and other media to get going and that is where it will fail.
The movement will not bring about a fundamental change: It will at best add another layer to the already overcomplex Indian bureaucracy. Why I say overcomplex is the way the case for Rajiv Gandhi's killers is handled. From one court to the other, to the higher and highest and then back to square one.
As for the power structure, it will remain with the current batch of legislators for the next three years atleast. Even within the civil society, there are hugely dissenting voices from all corners. Other drafts of the bill have appeared and equally competent ppeople have complained about not being represented in what is seen to be a fight for representation.
Protest marches are a common sight in India. So much so, that places have been marked for it in the various cities and towns. Fasts again, are all too common. And in a country where everybody has fasted once atleast (for religious reasons or poverty reasons), a fast will not mould opinions beyond a point.
Lastly, the time frame. As discussed earlier, the movement thrived on social media, their 15 minutes of fame are over. Never again shall we see the same crowd on the streets.
We honestly thought that the IAC will provide us respite from corruption. Power corrupts, Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Forcing legislations is absolute power. We are supporting what we are fighting against!
(Views expressed are personal)
Three pillars to be identified: Fundamental Change, Power Structure and short period of time.
We have seen, in the recent memory, examples of Revolutions: the Cairo uprising, Qadhafi's debacle in Libya and the others collectively known as the Arab Spring. The pillars are intact: the countries moved from dictatorships to democracies in a very short period of time.
We might as well consider our own revolutions: the White and the green revolutions turned India from an import dependant nation to one that could feed its millions (later billions) on its own. Liberalizattion in the early 1990's struck down the socialistic pattern of business and made India a player on the global stage. The timeline for these may not be exactly short, but the effect of these had started trickling in in about 1/10 of the time that the country was free. Relatively short!
Anna, a man of courage and conviction, had successfully ousted a lot of ministers and had become a master at the satyagraha route. The team at IAC was undoubtedly devoted and had the best names to count as friends and the heaviest names to count as foes. The Lokpal, as they earlier called it, would bring unparalleled transparency into the country across the spectrum and will bring the guilty to the gallows. They started out with demanding some sort of representation to draft the bill. The government granted the same, much to the dismay of BJP and others, who wanted the opposition in the parliament to be consulted as well. The government did go the extra mile and included 5 members on a parity level (in terms of numbers). Also, the members were nominated by the team. Probably, the government could have been highhanded and included all NAC members. Yes they are civil society and yes they are the intelligentia who think and work for the betterment of people.
This is where problem started. The moment a sizeable public opinion was with them, the IAC seized the moment and started blackmailing the government. In doing so, they became exactly what they despise: an opaque organization with a few leaders who shall mould public opinion to their interests and leave aside others in their race to fame.
I read an article in Tehelka (http://www.tehelka.com/story_main50.asp?filename=Ws210911IAC.asp) today that informs that the IAC team shall focus on poll bound areas and will campaign against anyone who does not support Jan Lokpal. The team is leaving no room for an informed debate. They seem to be banking on the same adage as dictators of the world- Its my way or the highway.
I admit corruption has surpassed accepable levels, and probably the same has started showing in terms of rising inflation, dipping growth rates, falling investor sentiments and a general sense of being cheated upon. I also agree that we need a sustainable and effective mechanism to deal with the same. However, having the Janlokpal and not the Lokpal or the NCPRI Lokpal will not eradicate corruption overnight. Best case, it will deter people. Worst case, it will end up with 32000 pending cases which then go the courts and end up nowhere. Probably, strengthening of the CBI, CVC and implementation of police reforms will go a longer way in correcting this mess. We need to debate that. If, on the back of unending support from people, the IAC forces legislators to blindly vote for their idea, it will be a defeat of the democracy that we champion.
But, the support is not endless. A characteristic of the modern day media is easy access, which almost translates into easy egress. It grants 15 minutes of fame to everyone. From the sweet little voice from Dehradun to the troubled South Indian in Delhi. The movement banked on social and other media to get going and that is where it will fail.
The movement will not bring about a fundamental change: It will at best add another layer to the already overcomplex Indian bureaucracy. Why I say overcomplex is the way the case for Rajiv Gandhi's killers is handled. From one court to the other, to the higher and highest and then back to square one.
As for the power structure, it will remain with the current batch of legislators for the next three years atleast. Even within the civil society, there are hugely dissenting voices from all corners. Other drafts of the bill have appeared and equally competent ppeople have complained about not being represented in what is seen to be a fight for representation.
Protest marches are a common sight in India. So much so, that places have been marked for it in the various cities and towns. Fasts again, are all too common. And in a country where everybody has fasted once atleast (for religious reasons or poverty reasons), a fast will not mould opinions beyond a point.
Lastly, the time frame. As discussed earlier, the movement thrived on social media, their 15 minutes of fame are over. Never again shall we see the same crowd on the streets.
We honestly thought that the IAC will provide us respite from corruption. Power corrupts, Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Forcing legislations is absolute power. We are supporting what we are fighting against!
(Views expressed are personal)
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