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Anna Hazare, wearing a white cap on a truck, waves to the crowd during a slow-moving procession to a protest venue, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Aug. 19, 2011. Thousands of cheering supporters braved the pouring rain to greet Hazare. – AP Photo
NEW DEHLI: As the drama unfolds in the next fifteen days at the Ramlila Ground in Delhi, India, life for many has changed. Anna Hazare, crusader against corruption in India, has started his fast against corruption as thousands gather to express solidarity with the leader and the cause. Indians, specially the middle class, has found a new meaning to live.
Software enginner Prateek Kumar, attached to the movement since April this year objects to the fact that it is just the middle class who is backing Hazare. “This movement is not just restricted to the middle class, all kinds of people are joining it. Whether it is the taxiwalas, autowalas, thhelawala (cart-pullers) or vendors, all are affected by the lack of a system in our country and now is the time to change it.”
The mood on the ground is colourful and nosiy. Banners being flashed. Slogans being shouted. Patriotic songs playing. Crowds swelling. Students, teachers, and families and of course volunteers. Since January this year the movement has gained unexpected momentum. Shivendra Singh Chauhan, one of the organisers responsible for social media outreach points out, “Initially we had not imagined it to be so big. As we moved forward we kept organizing it better. Through social media we were able to increase the spread of the movement. As the footprints increased, we selected coordinators from among the fans and reached out to many small towns and cities.”
While volunteers are mainly the youth, the working class has come out for candle light marches and rallies. R B S Tomar, a manager in a company has taken leave for a week. He explains, “I have applied for Leave Travel Allowance and there can be no better holiday for me than to be here and join the movement. I come here in the morning and leave by late night. My aim is to fight corruption. If we have pay bribe for making a passport or a new electric connection, then what is the use of having a government? The officials take advantage of our situation and it is our time now to make these officials realise that it will not work anymore.”
Sociologists believe that the whole movement is born as elected representatives have failed the people. – Photo by Ravinder Bawa/Dawn.com
This sentiment is all-pervasive. Radhey Shayam Pehlwan, owner of a fresh juice shop, pledges to be at the venue everyday, “I will extend my support to this cause as it affects us all. When the Lokpal Bill is passed, I will distribute free fresh juice to all my customers that day.”
So what is the Jan Lokpal Bill? The bill, also known as the citizens’ ombudsman bill, is a proposed anti-corruption law in India and has been pending for more than forty years. The basic idea of the Lokpal comes from the office of the ombudsman in other countries. People have confidence that this is the instrument to fight corruption and are rallying behind the social activist Anna Hazare to get the law passed. Arunima Dutta, a software engineer explains, “We believe that this bill will solve the basic problem from the roots. It addresses the problem of a common citizen, and since we all can see a solution in this we all come here in our individual capacity. There is no leader who is leading the crowds, they are coming on their own. I am leading her (pointing to her friend) and she is leading someone else. I see India changing after this.”
The ground swell is not just made of adults but children are adding to the crowds too. Sarthak, 8 years, has come all the way from Anna’s villages, Ralegan Siddhi, more than 1500 kilometers from Delhi to support Anna. He forced his father to bring him to Delhi. Standing with two national flags in his hands he says, “Its about my future so I had to be here.” Many school students gathered at Ramlila ground are very sure of what they are doing. Ishita, a class eleventh student from a Delhi school remarks, “We have gathered here to fight for a true India. It is a beginning of new India, during British rule the similar movements happened for freedom from outsider’s control and now this is a fight for freedom from the inner corruption. Corruption is a virus that is griping India and it has to be treated.”
A supporter of India's anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare holds a placard at the site of his hunger strike in New Delhi, India, Saturday, August 20, 2011. – AP Photo
Delhi being the centre of the movement is attracting people from neighbouring states as well. Keeping Anna’s baton alive a group of people from Chandigarh have come here for the weekend. Subir Singh, a teacher in a private school, questions, “We have the resources and we have the manpower but why are we lacking behind? It is due to corruption, so we have to fight against it. This bill can change the country so we are here to support this bill and this movement.” Sumit Khanna, a businessman from the same group, states, “We have been seeing this for last four months on our television sets and reading about it in newspapers. We decided that instead of watching it on TV again why not come here for the weekend. We want to fight against corruption.”
And many who those who have not come to Delhi are keeping the the spirit of the movement alive in smaller towns and cities. In Delhi various institutions are showing solidarity with the cause in their own campuses. Apollo hospital, one of the leading multi specialty hospital had all their doctors marching around the hospital with a Gandhi cap and a flag in their hands. The sales of the Gandhi topi has increased and many vendors are found selling these caps, t-shirts, flags and batches on the streets.
So will this movement reach any logical end? Miranda Simons, from the advertising industry has faith. “We cannot say if this agitation will result in corruption vanishing fully, but there will be a difference definitely,” says she.
Some people after experiencing this difference, have decided to connect with the crusade. Nitesh Singh, a naval officer, applied for his driving license within 45 minutes. “It was history for me. Never could you get any government document made without the agents and the go-betweens asking for money. Thanks to this movement, I was able to get my job done without any mediator and without shelling out any extra buck.”
Social observers, media critics, political analysts are all scrutinising this phenomenon. Some are skeptical while some are surprised by the enormity of it. Rahul Deb, a senior journalist comments, “This movement is for a better life; for a new India. If this movement is not taken to its logical end it will be a tragedy for this country. After all people are demanding a large scale fundamental systemic change.”
Sociologists believe that the whole movement is born as elected representatives have failed the people. But even in this historical moment the elected representatives and their parties are indulging in blame games. While the congress spokerperson Manish Tewari in a press conference hints that ‘saffron forces’ are supporting Hazare; the opposition party, Bhartiya Janta Party’s spokesperson Niramla Sitaraman retorted, saying, “the government has misread and mishandled the situation and at several junctures misled the people.”
No one knows the truth of the political parties be, but the truth being witnessed in India at this time cannot be ignored. The next few days will be crucial for Anna Hazare to keep the momentum on and crowds swelling.
Thanks
We at Apollo Hospital, New Delhi could not go to the site due to other commitments but showed our solidarity.
Anna Hajare's Anti-corruption event is well planned and organized by some NGO's. This campaign against corruption is in fact campaign against parliamentary system and unconstitutional. Because
1.Anna and his team wants this bill to be passed in upper house of Indian parliament without any further discussion from lawmakers which is nothing but dictatorship.
2.Anna and team thinks that they are the only civil society and those who differ with them are uncivil and corrupt.
3.This kind of civil anarchy will encourage various regional, religious or caste group to use same pressure tactics. We know that various groups in India hold capacity to gather 5 to 6 lac's people for a rally like Anna.
4.JanLokpal Bill wants a system that will come in direct collision with Supreme. Since any allegations against Chief justice can be probed and Chief justice can be impeached there is no need to cover Chief justice under lokpall bill.
5.Anna is social activist but in his village dalits(lower caste people, Untouchables) still live outside the boundary of village and in separate settlement which raises question against it social commitment.
6.The right hand man of Anna Mr.Arvind Kejariwal was the brain Behind the movement against reservation for OBC's(socially and educationally Other backward classes)
Nitin,
Anna Hajare’s Anti-corruption event is well planned and organized by some NGO’s. This campaign against corruption is in fact campaign against parliamentary system and unconstitutional.
——- Such campaigns definately need to be well planned and there is nothing wrong about it. The lakhs of people who have come out to support him are not from NGOs, they are common people.
1.Anna and his team wants this bill to be passed in upper house of Indian parliament without any further discussion from lawmakers which is nothing but dictatorship.
—————- If the government wants to curb corruption, why does it not welcome the bill? This is not dictatorship, this is frustration of living in a system where corrupion rules every aspect of life
2.Anna and team thinks that they are the only civil society and those who differ with them are uncivil and corrupt.—– Nothing wrong with that. If you are not corrupt and not scared of being exposed, why not support it. The level of corruption in India requires this kind of aggressive movementto deal with it.
3.This kind of civil anarchy will encourage various regional, religious or caste group to use same pressure tactics. We know that various groups in India hold capacity to gather 5 to 6 lac’s people for a rally like Anna. ——— It is an open fact that there is a huge presence of educated middle class in india supporting this movement. Do you really think people now are fools to support any movement that is unjustified? here may be movements in future those are unjustified, but the response to them will not be this strong. Plus Indian media is sensible enough to understand right and wrong.
4.JanLokpal Bill wants a system that will come in direct collision with Supreme. Since any allegations against Chief justice can be probed and Chief justice can be impeached there is no need to cover Chief justice under lokpall bill.—— Agreed
5.Anna is social activist but in his village dalits(lower caste people, Untouchables) still live outside the boundary of village and in separate settlement which raises question against it social commitment.—- Get your facts right. I have been to Ralegaon and Anna Hazare was the person who infact ended teh discrimination there.
6.The right hand man of Anna Mr.Arvind Kejariwal was the brain Behind the movement against reservation for OBC’s(socially and educationally Other backward classes) —- What does that prove? Are you telling corruption affects people depending on their caste and creed? A corrupt system affects a Dalit, a Brahmin, hindu, A Muslim and Christian and a Sikh in same manner. Why add a caste and religious angle to a social movement.
So Nitin, get better arguments next time and if you think you oppose corruption, join the movement.
Well said.I do not approve of the feeling of pressure on Parliament in the movement but no one can discover conspiracy theories.Likewise, I hope our Jama masjid protector Bukhari saheb also listens to people like Rashid and not bring religion into it.
I am overwhelmed the way DAWN covers day to day affairs in India.Both countries- India & Pakistan- are passing through a
very difficult phase. India is marred by corruption and Pakistan
under big threat from terrorism and corruption as well.There are
some pockets in India who think that Anna is not a crusader but
a confrontlist. This is wrong.When parliamentarians fail badly
someone has to take the lead.I wish someone in Pakistan too carry its national flag to lead the mass for better and prosperous Pakistan.
Corruption is a symptom of a disease. The disease is India's horrible caste based reservation system. The equality provided by human rights does not exist in India. Nothing will succeed till all Indians are made equal.
Change is here…… Good luck Annajii..
RTI and now Lokpal…. India is upto something mates….
Go Anna Go, You are almost there. We fully support you. Change this country and lives of people of this country for ever.
Mr. Anna Hazare for Pakistan and India. Can we vote for him?lol
did you guys notice something? there are no hate comments between india and pakistan for this article. isn't that wonderful.
you see we both aren't that different from each other. both countries want peace and a better future.
here's hoping that the two nations can one day live together and enjoy our heritage and wealth
Come what may, we cannot afford to lose him. Doctors need to keep agood eye on his health. He has already lost five Kgs in the last six days, which is dangerous.
Its very impressive act by Indians to fight peacefully against the corruption and i wish that May Allah Almighty give us courage as well to stand against the corruption in our country. It isn't the responsibility of cheaf justice to take action against corruption it is the time for all of us to stand against the corrupt peoples bcoz Govt is fail to do it and in fact they are also involve in it. Silence is also a criminal act. Plz wake up and behave like a responsible and mature nation
Going a step ahead and for betterment of healthy subcontinent… can I expect my neighbour country – Pakistan to witness a movement that will bring in good governance. Somehow I have a feeling that only ImranKhan has that charisma to pull on the show…
Its good to see youth in gandhian caps with national flags singing
national songs & ready for long fight to end corruption
Whole Pakistan supports an Indian anti-corruption. perhaps this may encourage a Pakistani anna to stand up and fight for the people.
History is being made in INDIA…Full support to Annaji
Its time to change…..be it common people or politicians
The Congress leaders are living is ivory tower, totally out of touch with the reality of fully connected digital age. Tragically they are increasingly being advised by "too cleaver" professional supreme court lawyers spokesmen. With all the glory of being a most educated PM, Dr. Man Mohan Singh looks bewilderingly help less spectator before Annaji, an hardly qualified ex serviceman but with loads of common sense, sincerity and patriotic fervor. Most eminent qualifications from Cambridge and Oxford is no match before simplicity and utter honesty.
India is poor with some rich people. Politicians are super rich and are also govt. officials due to corruption. Poor think that upper caste and educated people are exploiting them whereas in reality it is the govt itself sucking their wealth. At the time of election these guys pay them few bucks and provide them subsidized food and then they carry on their loot. If the wealth is distributed it is easy to improve our countries.
subcontinent politicians are shameless enough to ignore the fasts of an old man. Nothing will change!! unfortunately.
solution for me: It is individual responsibility and corrupt person once caught should not be allowed to go without punishment.But then happens everywhere even in usa. So it is only personal conviction that tells a person that it is wrong and thats it!!
Mujib,
This is where i will step in and say, this is India and not pakistan, The no of people who have come out is more than entire population of pakistan..millions more unable to protest are supporting the movement…that is the belief and attitude that things will change…and can be changed without resorting to violence…!!
Dude, don't bring in incorrect statistics unnecessarily. Do u know the population of Pakistan in the first place? The movement is sure picking up, yet the numbers are certainly not huge. Certainly less than 50 lakh. Please go out and add to the numbers on the road. Inqalab Zindabad…
we should not throw away the baby with bath tub. while cleansing the system of corruption one should be careful about the democratic system of parliamentary democracy which is supreme in democracy. in the emotion shown by the anna and his supporters one should not be carried away by it and remember the age old system where the parliament prevails. anna should come forward to discuss the matter.
I think this superciliousness is uncalled for.I think all communities have their share of good and bad people .I am sure if Asma or Burney lead a movement in Pakistan, they will get support as in India.
Full support to Anna.I see insincerty on the part of Govt. It got serious only after all its time tested tactics failed to deflate or defame the movement failed. I have never seen such a mass protests in my life. Govt must agree to his demands and bring in janlokpal bill.
People in India have found a voice in him, through him the millions is trying to say " Enough is Enough" . The generation which has not seen the Independence struggle nor the emergency period but has endured corruption and discrimination in their life and their antipathy is across party lines. Three ways why he could touch the chord of Million is : firstly that he is not part of any political party, gave workable action plan through the bill and his protest through non violence (which other countries of the world can replicate)..
I am a regular reader of dawn nice articles, i am pleased to read it i strongly support anna hazara movement , i strongly believe jan loak pal bill is good for our country , its show a new dimension for our fellow country man to fight with corruption with a strong hand and show us a new life which we deserve and our children as a whole, anna hazare you fight we all are with you..
we are totally and wholeheartedly with Anna ji. He is the true representative of public. the govt. must agree to Anna ji. otherwise next time better these politicians dont come to our doors begging for votes
Will the Anna Hazare in Pakistan please stand up? This will provide good solidarity to the anti-corruption movements in both Pakistan and India.
voters take 100 Rs to give vote to a particular candidate…. after that he has to give at least 200 Rs everytime he steps in to a govt office….. It doesnt make any sense….. jan lokpal bill may not eradict problems … but it will reduce it…. It is also for the people who think " vote dene se kuchh nahin honewala"..
it is a time to change our constitution.
make a good India to ours children.
We need an "Anna" in the corporate world which is rife with corruption across the board and across the globe !
Why don't our PM Manmohan & Mr. Kapil Sibbal do fast for some days ?
Because they are with corruption while Anna is fasting against corruption…
Protesting against corruption is great.
However, an unelected individual demading his bill be passed circumventing the elected parliament and the constitution without proper process and debate is wrong.
This man is no hero or atleast he's not very sensible; his method of threatening suicide and making people think a miraculous quick-fix is possible is setting a terrible example.
We the people of the remotest village of Assam face corruption in every step of our life and we do know what corruption is. While supporting Anna Hazare's movement wholeheartedly I would like to add that Annaji and his team should also take this opportunity to do away with corruption from general public who are supporting him because it is we who are more corrupt and encourage it in every walks of our life.Today with Annaji's vission let us introspect ourselves "Do I encourage corruption?"
Best wishes for the Indian masses who are struggling for a laudable cause!!
India is on path to common man's assertion of his rights bypassing the power hungry politicians' gimmicks to keep their hold on power in the name of democracy, a laudable path!!! Can we emulate something similar in Pakistan for a good cause?? Be it killings/extortion of money in Karachi, pervasive inflation mainly due to economic mismanagement,no local govt elections in any province despite tall claims of democracy, pervasive corruption in Pakistan or terrorism/extremism, feudalism, injustices to the common man and so on!!!! Can our civil society respond similarly (IN A PEACEFUL MANNER) on burning issues of the country???
take it a serious count he is loosing his weight and glucose plz strengthen our voice to parlement so that its our country and not politicians country plz dont loose our anna hazare