India against Corruption- Why Anna Hazare can not be stopped

With the furore in India transcending the boundaries of ‘constitutional’ and ‘democratic’ logistics, the revolution for banishing corruption is definitely converting into the nation’s second freedom struggle.

Though, the silent absence of Sonia Gandhi, the leader of Congress Party that boasts of stupendous stronghold in Indian Parliament, is further igniting the mayhem. Rahul Gandhi’s immediate discussion with PM Manmohan Singh to cancel the ambiguous arrest of Anna Hazare reveals that he knows how volatile the situation can be.

‘Bureaucracy, past and UN’

The emergency of 1975, if implemented in a country that is more populous, educated and hyper, right now, might not be easily subdued. Also, the entire renaissance for democracy and independence that has infected the world through the Middle Eastern uprising is definitely a lesson that reveals that revolutions cannot be surpassed.

Similarly, its quite interesting to question why UN has still not intervened or made any kind of concrete statement after Anna Hazare’s arrest. One of the main reasons why the Jan Lokpal Bill criticised the rampant modifications made by the government in the course of suiting its own parliamentary needs, states that if in any constitution, the judiciary and the bill is not taking the judges of Supreme/High court in consideration, it leads to the violation of UN Convention against corruption.

‘The One man Army’

The fact made by Human Resources Minister Kapil Sibal stands right that Anna Hazare, who is not a representative through elected process, can not demand changes in the parliament through fasting. But at the same time, its high time he realises that Hazare is no longer ‘just one man’.

I am not talking about how dignified the Team Anna is. Yes, it does include Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal, Swani Agnivesh and Prashant Bhushan but the power of that one man who decided to sacrifice his entire life for public good when he was just 38 years old, can not be dominated.

‘Nabbed Politicians’

Undoubtedly, the politicians are striving to cover each other, justify the arrest, act a superficial game of fake empathy towards citizens by nabbing them in constitutional words. Right now, a common man, after the enactment of government’s lokpal bill does not know whom to report if he complains against a scam. Also, how can the sense of justice prevail in any country which creates a visible difference between the common man and the head of justice, government bodies, president and the prime minister.

It is high time that India needs an answer after the scams. 2011 and 2010 has seen the worst of it all. Be it the Commonwealth scam, the radia tapes controversy, UP government health ambulance scandal, Hasan ali Khan scandal, the 2G spectrum scam, etc.

It takes a lot of compassion, courage and demand for justice to start a revolution. Right now, 1300 protesters have been detained. There is no clear idea about what they would eat and where would they be locked. Obviously, everyone can not be detained. Time is less as everyone is getting on the streets.

Revolution in India: Anna Hazare’s fight to end corruption begins again

Revolution in India: Anna Hazare’s fight to end corruption begins again

Anna Hazare, the 74-year-old activist who has emerged as the national icon representing the revolution against corruption has refused to leave Tihar Jail. Hazare was arrested for using undemocratic means for causing breach in section 144 of Indian constitution through his pledge of starting an indefinite fast on 16^th August.

Prashant Bhushan, a lawyer and one of the members of ‘Team Anna’ has stated that the Gandhi follower is waiting for the government to surrender to the demands of Jan Lokpal Bill. Hazare went on a five day fast from 5^th April to demand the establishment of Jan Lokpal Bill in the Indian constitution that would erase corruption from the country.

‘Twist by the government’

The government has then agreed there the bill would be passed in the Indian parliament and the committee would be governed by a political chairman Pranab Mukherjee and non political chairman Shanti Bhushan.

But rather than passing the discussed version of the bill, the parliament witnessed a modified and politically correct diversion.

This caused rampant hullabaloo in the country with the national capital New Delhi becoming the hot stop for the revolution, often referred to as India’s second freedom struggle.

‘Criticism against lokpal bill’

The main criticism against the government’s lokpal bill which is currently supported by the politicians includes that it does not provide sense of direction to the common man if he wants to report a scam. Also, the critics find the bill against the dalits, workers, peasants, farmers and the middle class men. The president, prime minister and the judges of the Supreme Court and High Court are not included in the purview of the bill that adds to its unjust practice.

‘Government’s defense’

Pranab Mukherjee, the Finance Minister of India stated that the arrest has converted India into a pandemonium. He also stated that there is a method to protest which should be followed while defending the government’s stand in arresting Anna Hazare.

P. Chidambaram, the Minister of Home Affairs called the arrest as completely justified and stated that ‘parliament’s right to make laws cannot be ignored.’

While, Kapil Sibal, the Minister of Human Resource Development called Anna Hazare as a man who is not elected through democratic means demanding the enactment of a law in the parliament.

Though, Anna Hazare and his team have stated that these protests would be completely peaceful rather than being violent or massive gatherings that do not have a purpose.

Hazare had stated that the agitation is against the parliament and not the government. Currently, 1300 supporters have been detained in New Delhi. It is also dreaded that if the protests continue in the way they are, at the moment, it might cause the same situation that lead to the enforcement of emergency in India in 1975.