When everyone is blogging about the whole anti-corruption episode, I decided to go ahead with my draft lest I miss the bandwagon. But, don’t expect anything substantial over here. Right place would be -> http://clearvisor.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/why-i%E2%80%99d-rather-be-anna-than-arundhati/
So, I have this friend of mine, Mr. Bakshi, who is educated, pragmatic, spirited and ambitious. But, as the luck has it, Mr. Bakshi was suffering from an unusual and chronic cough. This cough had been Mr. Bakshi’s companion for ages. It would not allow him to eat properly, sleep properly and had fettered his growth as an individual. Even if, Mr. Parker tried his best to race ahead of others, and to his credit he succeeded many a times, his honest efforts were trivialized by this demonic cough. As none of the well-wishers of Mr. Bakshi was paying heed to his condition, few of his neighbors decided to administer him medicines. And guess what, all hell broke loose with his so-called well-wishers, who out rightly rejected the whole idea of medication. Now, there is an ongoing debate between the well-wishers and well-wishers of Mr. Bakshi, which is very interesting to say the least. In the meantime, Mr. Bakshi’s health is deteriorating day by day.
The whole Anna episode reminded me of Mr. Bakshi and his cough and his well-wishers. I totally agree that few of the points in Team Anna’s draft were too idealistic and would have led to unwarranted centralization of power. That is no surprise for me, neither am I going to discuss about that. What totally baffled me was the reaction of few educated armchair intellectuals, who couldn’t even get their facts right. Instead of getting angry over their comments, I was more in a state of shock. Have a look:
1. Team Anna’s draft is not the best way
Agreed on this. But, what were these intellectuals doing, while Team Anna was out in the market asking for public’s opinion on Lokpal Bill. Oh, I get it. They were looking for the best way! Does that mean we out rightly reject the whole idea itself? I am very sure, few of these intellectuals would have pleaded to their professor for partial marks in examination, when their answer was totally wrong. And they would have surely cursed the professor for being mean and always looking for the best solution. But alas, sanctimony runs in our blood.
2. In the name of democracy
A system is good till the point it is doing good to the cause it was meant for. If we wait for the parliament to take its course of action, we will be left in the lurch for sure. Since, democracy could not do anything for all these years, action has to be taken on some front. Sample this,
Nov 27th, 2003: Death of Satyendra Dubey, an IIT alumnus
Sep , 2005: Law ministry decides to frame Whistleblower Protection Bill
Aug 9th, 2010: The Whistleblowers Protection bill(Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Informers) Bill) was passed by the Union Cabinet
This is the gift of democracy to a young, gifted and honest individual like Satyendra Dubey!!!
3. This is not the right way of protest
If one has been following the news closely, particularly, the timeline of Government’s remarks, one would know this is not only the right way, this is the only way to protest. Government is playing all kind of games to sabotage the issue, with its dirty political melodrama. If Anna would not have been this adamant, the whole saga would have been a history by now. And, NO, no one can arrest the democracy in this way. Look at the kind of support Anna and his team is getting. People feel associated with the cause and that’s why they are coming out on the streets in such a huge number. Tell me one single issue, which will bring nation’s anger to forefront on such a magnitude. You can’t, because you’ve never thought of it. Swaying in your office armchair is much cooler than contemplating on national issues.
4. Do it through proper channels
Way easily said than done. Now, this is an open question. Please enlighten me. I want to know about a proper channel, through which I can voice my opinion and if suitable, see to it that it meets its end. One intellectual goes ahead and says that, this so-called channel can be proper only if we elect better representatives. In that case, my dear moronic friend, I urge you to go to your constituency and check the background of the representatives who contested last elections. Where are the good guys??!!! I totally agree that electoral reforms are another need of the hour, but that is a different issue. And, NO, Anna and his team are not going to fight the election and then take this issue to parliament. If you have slightest common sense, I am sure you would not want to argue on this.
5. This law can’t end corruption, instead reform other institutions like CBI, CVC
Now, you are talking some sense, sweet li’l child o mine! This law can’t end corruption for sure, neither it promises to. What you have to understand is the need of hour. If Anna goes on fast, asking for reforms in CBI, Police, Judiciary, blah blah, he would surely die in the process. Instead, Team Anna has come out with a definite agenda, which can be implemented in required timeframe and can be the initiation point for the fight against corruption. I reiterate, there are certain flaws in the Jan Lokpal, but that can’t be made an excuse for its total uselessness.
From here on, the logic of these intellectuals gets murkier and intolerable. It would be wastage of resources, arguing against these points. Just a note of caution to those still reading through, India has lost a lot arguing and reasoning. No law can change the system and make India shine overnight. We have to get involved in the process, get our hands dirty and wait patiently for the results.
And for the armchair revolutionaries, your secret is out buddy! Cynicism is no more a style statement. NOW, do something different ;-)
And for my dear friend Mr. Bakshi, his well-wishers need to understand that cough syrup needs to be administered in right manner depending on the nature of the cough, and not nature of syrup.
