It all started with a Jan Lokpal bill which is supposed to eradicate corruption and in Anna’s words “upto 65% can be reduced”. Then started the blackmail of fast, to accept all points of civil society. The stupid government, then, arrested Anna and created an unrest which can shake the very roots of our democracy, in which media has played a great role.
There is a talk about a change, but is this the change we are expecting? All these people on streets, the morchas, are they for the corruption to be removed by a single law?
Before we change the system, we have to think how we can change ourselves. We don’t think even a wee bit to get things done via bribe. We are all hypocrites: on one hand we want corruption to be removed but at the same time if it affects us then we give bribes and get away with it.
It is easy to blame the government that it not doing anything. But where were all these people during elections, when they were not voting or voted the wrong people to power. Every time we walk through a dug up road, we will pass comment saying corruption is eating up the road but no one will take action. In Mumbai the number of cars is increasing, people walk on the road since their space is occupied by hawkers. But we also buy stuff from these hawkers and that is why they have increased. We find new ways to evade all taxes, save VAT, avoid custom, import, octroi and also pay bribes to achieve this Its easy to blame the system. Isn’t it a crime to cross railway tracks? Bridges are built, but still people use tracks since they are in hurry. There is a law to punish these people but they pay fine and cross the tracks the next day. In this case, if people don’t care for their lives then how will one lokpal bill will change everything and reduce corruption? How will this bill change the attitude of people?
Also, let’s not forget the role of the media who has been more than proactive to track Anna and team and give details of everything they do. For the media there is no difference between Anna and Rakhi Sawant. They will do whatever it takes, to get eyeballs.
Call me cynic but I am realistic. The drama should end. There were multiple solutions present with both government and Anna’s team. Government on its part reluctantly discussed the bill with Anna’s team and got it to the Parliament. Anna’s team should have scored a small victory with passing the bill and pursuing with the government for amendments to it. Even if the Government agrees to all the changes, it would be tough for the Parliament to pass it. Then Anna will again go on fast and into a cyclic loop. If Anna and his team have the faith and really want to change something, they should form a party and we will support them to power and then they can pass the bill without any hindrance.
Till then the saga continues …..
9 comments:
Welcome back to d world of blogging...guess after d advent of FB n twitter we have stopped writing....so tnx to anna n govt for giving rebirth to "writer" Sandy
really man..also was busy with work last 2 weeks but finally got some time to pour out my thoughts
my point is simple ..law cant change anything unless people change..
sis..lets not compare Anna Hazare to Bapu..Bapu did not have personal attacks on anyone...Hazare n team has been doing it to PM, Sibal, etc..
We cant change people ..evidently the economy and advancement will change people. And who knows the inside real truth of politics .. its even said gandhi and nehru killed vallabhai patel ..if there are good things said about gandhi then there are bad things said as well ... similarly in anna's case, if we have evidence that anna's doing all the attacks we have every right to go against him ... But if he's doing a good deed may be people against him are spreading rumors against to spoil his image of crusader?
but as a citizens if the bill has its benefits to us .. then whats wrong in backing to pass the bill?
well written Sandy! Anna is no Gandhi..not even close. In my opinion, media is one of the most corrupt institutions in this country. Without paying bribe, no TV channel can get access to all sorts of breaking news or political secrets. Now who is corrupt? Person giving bribe (media) or the one taking it ( politicians in most cases)? No matter what kind of Lokpal bill is passed, unless we (the people) change our attitude, nothing is going to work!
Totally agree!!! 100%
Well written
Nice thoughts Santosh. I would say agree with you on most of the point but not all.
As you said people should change instead of blaming government. It is ideal but does it really works? In my opinion it’s the system which should be powerful. In US I cannot imagine myself of jumping the lights, or spitting on the streets or asking shop owner that I don’t want receipt don’t tax me. Bcoz system is strong. I know I will be punished hard. So it’s the system and not people.
When I came out of collage I was dead against paying and taking bribe. When I bought flat that was the first time I visited a government office. The babu asked me for Rs 300 to register the flat. I said why. I am not giving it. He said ok. Then don’t register it. Go complain to my boss. He is also getting a share. It was all mess and finally my lower said, do u want to cancel this transaction which is in some lakhs because u dont want to pay 300 Rs. Finally I had to pay 300 Rs. Was there any other way for me? At least for me, Anna Hazare is bringing a realization in people that taking and giving bribe is wrong.
On your last point of Anna and team joining politics- Why everyone feels that people coming forward to bring change or doing protests should form a party and join politics? Is this thought really right? If a robbery or molestation is happening on road then should everybody passing by think I am not police so why should I care? Isn’t it same? Its just government parties and not common men should bring the change? On another note today every government department is corrupt. Then should people who want change switch their jobs and join those departments? Is it possible? I guess the point is - do your own job right.
Thanks Prashant for making that point..it is not tht system is not thr in india..thr are existing systems in place in india..but people who r implementing will make a difference..A system does not change anything..
today even if lokpal is passed do we guarantee people who r implementing will not be corrupt. And abt ur example even if thr was a lokpal how wud it deter you from doing so for your flat registration? wud u have gone to lokpal , waited for 1-2-3months or yrs or maybe people in lokpal ask u money..
The movement should focus on "I will not pay a bribe whatever may happen" then it is satyagraha.. or punish the bribe payer in the law...
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