Myths about the Anti Corruption Movement
In this article, I wish to discuss and demystify few important myths surrounding the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare backed by India Against Corruption.
Myth: Objective of the movement is to bypass the parliament and enact jan lokpal bill and hence anti-parliamentary in nature.
This is the single biggest misconception that many people on both sides have. The movement was to ensure that the strong effective Lokpal bill is tabled in the parliament at the earliest and enacted.
It is known that government's version of Lokpal bill in its current form is not effective and just an eye wash. To illustrate what an strong Lokpal bill meant, the pioneers of this movement went ahead and created a draft, citizens' version of the bill widely known as the Jan Lokpal bill (citizens ombudsman bill).
The objective of this movement was to get the government to agree a joint drafting committee with a 50:50 representation of politicians and eminent citizens. Such a precedence was not present in our country, but it was essential in this case since the very essence of Lokpal bill is against the self interest of the politicians which is precisely why the elected governments have not acted on this for the past four decades. Such a joint draft committee is perfectly valid and within the framework of the constitution of India.
Truth: The movement only wanted a joint drafting committee with citizens apart from politicians to ensure a strong effective bill is framed. Once framed it would anyway be tabled in the parliament as usual.
Myth: Such a movement is undemocratic and needs to be avoided.
India is not just a representative democracy, it is a participative democracy as well. Our rights and duties do not end with just casting the votes. Citizens need to participate in the process and raise their concerns on all matters relating to governance. To think that once elected they are the guardians of democracy is wrong. They have the right and also the obligation to engage interested people in the process of drafting legislation. To say this movement is undemocratic is actually undemocratic.
Remember, in any democracy, the first level of sovereign is the people, next comes the elected representatives. If the technology of this age allows for a more active and participatory role of the citizens in the drafting of efficient bills, when why not!
Truth: Such movements and public opinion is what makes this democracy.
Myth: This whole movement was a complete media hype..
Though in the past, the electronic media has been accused of making heroes out of nothing, by hyping up small success be it Bollywood or cricket, but this is different. This movement was announced long ago, and many events like dandi march II, and other activities across different cities worldwide was given a pass by the media! But this time around, media decided to cover 24 by 7 since it could no longer ignore this mass movement. True, at the end of it, the movement did gain extra momentum (thanks to media) but I feel it was anyway meant to strike a cord with the masses given the agenda (of corruption) and the leader behind it Annaji!
In reality, this was spread across the nation and beyond as well. The volunteers of the movement left no stone unturned, be it the social media like twitter or Facebook or peaceful march and rallies. The whole movement was spread across the nation not just the metros even small towns and cities held peaceful demonstrations. Corporate sector, film industry, and educational institutes not limited to the elite IISc, IITs alike came forward in full support.
Truth: The movement didn't become big because of media coverage, it is actually the other way around. Media covered this event because it was a mass movement.
Myth: The movement has got its success and it is now over.
Anna Hazare's clarion call has been answered by the public at large. The main objective of the movement of getting the government to agree to a joint drafting committee with a government offer (gazette notification) has been met. But this is just the beginning. Lots need to be done as we have just got the politicians to agree to an arm wrestling match with the civil society. The drafting of an effective Lokpal bill is a long way and we need to stay focussed. The euphoric celebrations are premature though justified given the ordeal endured over the past 5 days. But conserve your energies we have a long road ahead!
Truth: This is just the beginning...!
This is the single biggest misconception that many people on both sides have. The movement was to ensure that the strong effective Lokpal bill is tabled in the parliament at the earliest and enacted.
It is known that government's version of Lokpal bill in its current form is not effective and just an eye wash. To illustrate what an strong Lokpal bill meant, the pioneers of this movement went ahead and created a draft, citizens' version of the bill widely known as the Jan Lokpal bill (citizens ombudsman bill).
The objective of this movement was to get the government to agree a joint drafting committee with a 50:50 representation of politicians and eminent citizens. Such a precedence was not present in our country, but it was essential in this case since the very essence of Lokpal bill is against the self interest of the politicians which is precisely why the elected governments have not acted on this for the past four decades. Such a joint draft committee is perfectly valid and within the framework of the constitution of India.
Truth: The movement only wanted a joint drafting committee with citizens apart from politicians to ensure a strong effective bill is framed. Once framed it would anyway be tabled in the parliament as usual.
India is not just a representative democracy, it is a participative democracy as well. Our rights and duties do not end with just casting the votes. Citizens need to participate in the process and raise their concerns on all matters relating to governance. To think that once elected they are the guardians of democracy is wrong. They have the right and also the obligation to engage interested people in the process of drafting legislation. To say this movement is undemocratic is actually undemocratic.
Remember, in any democracy, the first level of sovereign is the people, next comes the elected representatives. If the technology of this age allows for a more active and participatory role of the citizens in the drafting of efficient bills, when why not!
Truth: Such movements and public opinion is what makes this democracy.
Myth: This whole movement was a complete media hype..
Though in the past, the electronic media has been accused of making heroes out of nothing, by hyping up small success be it Bollywood or cricket, but this is different. This movement was announced long ago, and many events like dandi march II, and other activities across different cities worldwide was given a pass by the media! But this time around, media decided to cover 24 by 7 since it could no longer ignore this mass movement. True, at the end of it, the movement did gain extra momentum (thanks to media) but I feel it was anyway meant to strike a cord with the masses given the agenda (of corruption) and the leader behind it Annaji!
Truth: The movement didn't become big because of media coverage, it is actually the other way around. Media covered this event because it was a mass movement.
Myth: The movement has got its success and it is now over.
Anna Hazare's clarion call has been answered by the public at large. The main objective of the movement of getting the government to agree to a joint drafting committee with a government offer (gazette notification) has been met. But this is just the beginning. Lots need to be done as we have just got the politicians to agree to an arm wrestling match with the civil society. The drafting of an effective Lokpal bill is a long way and we need to stay focussed. The euphoric celebrations are premature though justified given the ordeal endured over the past 5 days. But conserve your energies we have a long road ahead!
Truth: This is just the beginning...!
Another myth is "Cause of corruption is Politicians & Bureaucrats" . They are not aliens. They represent a cross section of the society. They represent the collective selfishness of the citizens of the country. They are able to come to the helm of affairs with direct or indirect support of majority of citizens. Here I am reminded of the saying "We will get what we deserve". So what is also required is a social transformation which can be brought about only by each citizen contributing to it. So each and every individual have an introspection and find out how one is contributing directly or indirectly to current state of affairs.
ReplyDeleteThat was excellent...
ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest myths about the Jan Lok Pal Bill is that it would create a frankenstein by clubbing investigative, prosecutive and judicial powers into one. In fact some hyperactive guardians of liberal society have labelled it a summation of executive, legislative and judiciary - a super government. It would be nice to put things straight about this also.
ReplyDeleteGood work. It was important such note was available. In fact, I was planning to write it and post it as many of my friends were confused on allegations against this movement. Thanks to you, I'm saved of some brain whacking :)
ReplyDeletebrilliant. brilliant. brilliant. and thank you.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is so engrossed in the movement but its just like the world cup fever, which will eventually wane away unless some brave hearts pursue it to their fullest abilities and try and find a good and a noble end result of the awareness and public parternship this has created. Anything which has a huge fanfare and hype will definitely involve its own myths, so lets forget the myths and just focus on the milestones we have to reach. Lets imput the myths to those who never realise their own abilities.
ReplyDeleteExcellent write-up. Especially the myth about the media. Media needs to understand that they should really represent the people and not the miserable political parties. They need to be careful now and watch what they project. It is pathetic that no one in the media caught the irony in our PM's statement: "...the Government and representatives from civil society..." Isn't our Government supposed to represent civil society?!! Anna Hazare is teaching us all a lesson in Civics that we all by-passed in our hurry to get rich. More power to him!- Sujata Srinath
ReplyDeleteOne issue that needs to be addressed and around which much criticism is centered is the issue of leadership to the movement. As I gathered from my little presence on the ground, it seemed that the people's support was essentially against corruption and with Anna Hazare , the role of other leaders was largely reduced to a background.
ReplyDeleteNow that we are past that stage, we must ensure that the leadership chosen in Delhi and other places stay focussed only on corruption and not make comments challenging other govt policies ( like liberalization etc). I know that IAC is an informal organisation with no formal membership etc, but it will be nice to see someone like Sri Kejriwal to give an assurance that the idealogical prejudices of the leaders will not be allowed to coopt and derail a people's movement.
Since I couldn't write to Shri Kejriwal directly, I hope some IAC member will push this message through.
Here is counter point. I think you are underestimating our rulers, the mind game. If media is interested in covering it because of the mass participation then why are they not covering Baba Ramadev's gatherings where several lakhs are showing up no matter which part of the country they are in. Why is it in Delhi rally in Feb they showed only the stage and not the crowd.
ReplyDeleteThe media, for most part is controlled by rulers and it is naive not to understand all the implications. It is possible that rulers allowed this to be covered because Anna Hazare is less of a threat than the Baba Ramadev who is going to replace the whole political system. Which is of lesser danger? Recently, I understand Arvind Kejriwal was shot down from making his viewpoints by Karan Thapar who is trying to make a picture that activists should not get involved and this is all left to Government.
There are excellent literature on 'Raja Neeti', how to manipulate the minds and movements to achieve a goal. We are too gullible to fall into those traps.
Pradeep,
ReplyDeleteI respect your views and I regard this collection of myth-truth very useful. Though it does clarify a few points, but my opposition as on that Facebook thread to this movement remains.
I'd like to refute your claims one by one (Most of them done very well by Karan Thapar and Kafila.org:
1. Objective: When a particular bill is under due consideration, what's the need of putting up a show like this?
2. Undemocratic: Corruption is as much an economic problem as it is political and social in India. Such mass movements yield no result as they have little effect on the voting majority!
3. Media hype: Let me give you numbers. In Egypt >1M out of 82M population collected for *ten* days in Tahrir. In comparison only a few thousand come to Jantar Mantar out of 1.21B population of India. This was a 'middle-class young Indian' movement, with very high preference for social media. Remember <1% of Indians use Facebook or Twitter.
4. Closure: The movement got its aims - to get Anna and party a seat in top echelons. It was amazingly well stage managed by Congress.
I have no proof, but a strong sense that there is a very strong scam under the surface. I will remain sceptic till all my doubts are quashed.
Nothing against any person or organization. I just feel very strongly about the way it came about.
Arpit
The article was a very useful read. But I don't think that the myths have been busted to present the "truth". I think it's more of a perspective just like the blog title.
ReplyDeleteI'm still very skeptical about the "democratic" nature of what's just happened. I don't see a thorough involvement of the country as a whole in this movement. I think the real victory comes when the "politicians" themselves opt for such a draft, and not when people seem to make them an enemy and put pressure on them to go ahead with the drafting.
I strongly feel that Mr. Hazare could have chosen an approach that was more "democratic" in the sense that the so-called corrupt politicians should have been involved in the action, and not made a target.
Now the next big thing is to get the youth of this country to vote ! and vote for the right candidate
ReplyDelete