Anna way not the ultimate way!

Not often does it happen that sequels turn out to be successful, be it movies, be it books or be it a social movement. But if the sequel involves Munna Bhai, GOLMAL or for that matter Anna Hazare then such striking aberrations do happen. So when Anna Hazare launched a nationwide protest against corruption and incorporation of Jan Lokpal Bill in April 2011 it garnered massive support but few weeks later when Baba Ramdev (BRD) tried to do an encore it was a flop show. So naturally when Anna declared a similar protest from Aug 16th the expectations of that being a success on the lines his 1st act (in april) were not very high. Though the support for the cause was huge but looking at the government's tyranny the chances of the sequel also being a hit were minimal. But what happened eventually was monumental, the Anna sequel was a bigger and a mightier hit not only in India but even internationally.

But why did it work for Anna and not for BRD? Probably because BRD tried to cash in on the good work or awakening caused by Anna where as on his second wind Anna just continued from where he left in the 1st innings. Or probably because BRD couldn't alienate himself from the saffron forces and people considered his act as a stunt to gain popularity and business mileage, Anna on the other hand had a very clean and well respected image. Also probably because when the government tried to arrest BRD he tried evading the place and made things worse for himself, Anna on the other hand offered to surrender and thereby not only flummoxed the government but also attracted a massive nation wide support. In simple terms Anna and his team did a very good ground work before launching the epic movement with even their plans B, C and D ready, BRD on the other hand was so poorly prepared that even his plan A seemed to be a joke. No wonder Anna succeeded and BRD literally bleed ed!

Nothing against Anna Hazare or any of his team members as Anna in particular has been a symbol of integrity, restrain and hope all his life, a proud salute to the Gandhian for his conduct and contribution to the society.But does it mean that one can fast for 13 odd days, garner nationwide support and get whatever he/she wants? On broader terms this is what happened in this case, no doubt that the cause for which the fasting or the movement was launched was a very genuine and a much needed one too but does it mean the one can bypass the system and literally blackmail the government to abide to his/her demand? One can rightly argue that with the unacceptable levels of corruption and the tyrannic ways that government has resorted to off late, this was the only way left with the masses. But then the 'my way or the highway' approach has never yielded a fool proof and a long term solution. The rightful approach should be such that it should give due respect to the views from all corners, earnestly debate on each of the viewpoints and then come to a concrete draft built solely on the basis of merit, neither through state's overpowering methods and nor through any individual's or group's blackmailing trysts.

Also another misconception that was highly prevalent during the Anna's movement was that if you are not supporting Anna, you are supporting the government or you are not against corruption or even worse you are not a true Indian.Not many believed in the fact that there can be a third view too other than the Government's and the Anna's view, may be even a fourth or fifth view also. And one of those views can be supporting the cause for which Anna is fighting (i.e. fight against corruption) but not supporting the ways Anna has adopted (i.e. the path of fasting, protesting and blackmailing). The objective of that non-Anna route will still lead to a fight against corruption, so it doesn't necessarily mean that if one is not supporting Anna's movement he/she is a pro-government or pro-corruption idealist.

But the biggest question that we need to ask ourselves is that can we transform into a corruption free nation just by the mere implementation of the Jan Lokpal Bill? Can we attain the ultimate goal of a corruption free India by wearing the 'I am Anna' caps, passionately waving the tricolor and indulging in an eternal fast? The simple answer to this not so complicated question is 'NO'. The practitioners of corruption and wrong doings will still find means and ways to fool the Jan Lokpal laws and keep on wiping off the hard earned tax payers money.So certainly even a mass movement of such proportions won't eradicate the age old vice. What can eventually loosen the scum of corruption and eventually eradicate it would be a strong resolve in each and every countrymen to abstain from corruption on the very microlevel. That will involve abstaining from giving bribes for getting the smallest of jobs done like bribing the admission supervisor for child's admission into a very good school or paying a ransom to the babu for getting a home loan sanctioned. This route might seem to be an arduous and frustrating one to start off with but then this is the only way that will fulfill the dream of a corruption free India. Seems tougher than holding rallies and indulging in fasts but then this is the only way!