Anna Hazare: A new dawn in Indian democracy?

I attended my first “political rally” on Aug 16th 2011. Anna had announced his fast and the Electronics City software companies (Bangalore) had organized a gathering between 3-4pm. I did not know what to expect. We went around 2:40pm and waited. There were about a 100 people gathered. As time went by, the crowd grew to multiple thousands. It was an amazing feeling. One of the people who addressed us was Justice Santosh Hegde. He said, he was pleasantly surprised to see so many software guys. He said till now he believed that software guys just lived for themselves – being completely oblivious to everything around you. That is something that hit me hard. It was true. I worked hard and honestly. I took care of those who depended on me. I did my fair share of social contribution. However, I never got involved. Actually I didn’t even vote! I’m sure there are many like myself in this generation.

The last couple of weeks have seen history being created. A 74-year old man – with nothing but a deep conviction, impeccable integrity and unbelievable inner strength took up a crusade to challenge the status quo of corruption in this country. Many “elitist talkers” have raised concern around Anna’s methods. They have used words like blackmail, hostage etc for his tactics and have said he is killing democracy etc. I don’t think so. We have just allowed the nation to come to a state that it needed to be shaken up. If the politicians had done half of their job on corruption, Anna wouldn’t have been able to attract half the amount of support he got.

I have never seen Gandhiji but what Anna has done and what Gandhiji did, couldn’t be too divergent.

I believe this is a new dawn in Indian democracy – on many fronts.
For 60 years, we have allowed our legislators an absolutely free hand. We elect them once in 5 years and then after that they are a law unto themselves. For the first time, the entire country rose and said enough is enough and we want you to listen to us. This was met with different reactions. Starting with arrogance and contempt, to use of power to crush the protest by arresting and not giving permission, to slandering, to bait-n-switch, to trying divide and rule to not responding to making some big “game changing” promises to saying parliament is supreme. But finally the will of the people prevailed. A frail old man fighting for a cause that resonated with the entire nation brought the government to its senses. I would like to believe that these incidents have permanently changed the fabric of Indian politics. I don’t think, critical laws will ever be made in this country without public participation and scrutiny – as they have been for a long time now.

Usually, the government would work with a small segment of NGOs and others who they co-opted with to hear the voice of the people – this was the “co-opted civil society”. Over a period of time, this became a fairly closed circle and had a “snobbish” air to it. What this movement has done is that it has taken this to the masses. Bharat and India are one. I have a strong feeling that going forward, public participation will become very strong and legitimate channels to give and receive feedback will need to be set up with a wide base.

Witnessing the debate in parliament yesterday, I felt proud. I only wish most of our sessions are run that way. Pranab Mukherjee opened beautifully. Sushma’s Swaraj’s speech was one of the best I’ve ever heard. Sandeep Dikshit was balanced and good and above petty stuff. Varun Gandhi was fantastic. During this historic parliamentary debate, I was disappointed to not see one individual – someone whom I have liked a lot personally – Rahul Gandhi, missing. I just cannot understand why. I have a belief that going forward the quality of debates in parliament will certainly go up going forward. We don’t want sessions after sessions to go waste and no work done. And then dozens of bills get passed in minutes. I think this will change.

There is also another great wave coming. The Assam Chief Minister voluntarily announced that he would come under the Lok Ayukta. He did this without being asked/pushed. The Gujarat Governor overnight announced a Lok Ayukta after the position was empty for 8 years. People have started making proactive statements by these actions. With so much scrutiny happening, even for existing cases the Judiciary is a lot more stern. Yedyurrapa’s anticipatory bail was rejected – he faces more trouble. Kumaraswamy and his wife are very nervous around the case that a local advocate has put in. And I think, countrywide, this is just the start. One strong Lok Ayukta in one state, shook up an entire establishment – that too without suo-moto powers. The country deserves more – and is more likely than ever to get it.

In the rally that I attended, Mr Santosh Hegde asked us to take an oath. We will not take bribe. We will not give bribe. Today, on national TV, at the event of Anna breaking his fast, they asked the entire nation to take the same oath. It will be interesting to see what happens on the ground in transactions with lower beauraucracy on a day to day basis – starting tomorrow! I think all bribe-askers better be careful. The public sentiment is simply too hot. Expect fireworks!

And then there is the role of the media. I must say I saw a lot of television over the last two weeks. Media did a brilliant job and kept the pressure up. Hats off to Arnab Goswami! He was relentless and direct. Others too did a great job. With the media scrutiny and the public scrutiny it is difficult for the politicians to not honor what they have promised in the house of the parliament. Everything that they do from here on will be under a microscope.
It is also interesting that Abhishek Manu Singh is the leader of the standing committee who has been charged with coming up with the draft of a strong Lokpal Bill. It was his late father who actually presented this idea to Nehruji and who actually coined the name Lokpal! I wish he does a terrific job and does it fast.

This is a journey. The RTI act was a very important piece of legislation. Arvind Kejriwal and Arun Roy and others, put in a lot of work to make this a reality. Many exposures that are happening are because of the RTI act. In his fast ending speech today, Anna mentioned this is just the start of a journey and that they will fight for a right to recall, right to reject, electoral reforms etc to push more cleanup. So this will be a long, long series of battles.

Perhaps all this will not get done during Anna’s life time, but he has certainly ushered a new dawn, a new awakening in the Indian democracy. I was never a part of the freedom struggle but we all are witnessing a fundamental shift in Indian democracy. This is important so that our children inherit a cleaner India.

Let’s do our bit.

Jai Hind!