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 16th 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 5th 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.
shubhdachaudhary 