Where is the (Jan) Lokpal?

(An Open Letter to Team Anna)

(This letter was submitted to Team Anna when it started inviting suggestions from the public regarding the future course of the movement, after the fall of the bill in Parliament in December 2011)

Dear Shri Anna Hazare & Comrades,

Where is now the Lokpal or the Jan Lokpal that you were so keen to bring in to root out corruption? Now that the hypocrisy of our Parliamentarians, the complexities involved in legislating a Bill such as this and the limitations of the Movement, have all been much revealed and realized, I urge Team Anna to do some serious and real introspection, rethinking and restructuring.

Please don’t commit the folly of making this anti-corruption movement an anti-congress movement ever again. Keep yourselves as free as possible from party-politics and kindly correct your perspectives with regard to politics and politicians, in general. They deserve to be treated with respect & faith, irrespective of the differences in political parties/ideologies, and need to be considered as our duly, democratically and lawfully appointed law-makers, protectors and nation-builders. True, a lot of our politicians and bureaucrats are or maybe corrupt. But it is equally true that a lot of them are or maybe honest, efficient and dedicated too. Our democracy sure needs some reformations, but that doesn’t mean that it needs to be totally toppled. A spectrum of slow and steady reforms engendered with wisdom and foresight and implemented within well-defined time-frames is required in almost all spheres of our social and political life to ensure economic advancement and social justice, for the larger good of all. The Lokpal Bill is not going to be a panacea for all our socio-political ills.

Considering the nature and scale of corruption prevalent now in a pluralistic and democratic nation as India, any massive measure undertaken to contain it should also necessarily be democratically debated, wisely chosen, of long term benefit and invariably be guided and headed by really selfless, well-meaning, publicly and widely acknowledged social activists as you. So, all the good-intentioned, selfless, generous-hearted and apolitical social workers/activists of our nation should be able to rein in their egos, come on a single platform, make some compromises, iron out their differences, strike a consensus amongst themselves, join hands and work together to combat this monstrous and mammoth corruption. When there is considerable unity and solidarity among the forces of good, a lot of corruption, inefficiency, maladministration and social injustices can be done away with easily and effectively.

An apolitical-people’s Movement is as much necessary as a very responsible and honest Media for the success of any democratic form of governance. Passing of laws such as the Public Grievances Redress Act & Whistleblowers Act and establishment of Institutions as the Lokpal & Lokayuktas should necessarily be supplemented with a slew of other measures (especially non-governmental and people-powered) if corruption needs to be checked effectively and considerably. So a Movement such as the one you have now begun, sure, has a far greater responsibility and role to play. And I hope Team Anna will gear itself up for the same. Although a Movement is commonly defined as a largely informal and unorganized group, a Social Movement can and should, metamorphose itself into a well-organized group, in order to be more democratic and efficient, especially when the task at hand is not an easier one. If the present day anti-corruption crusaders at the national level (including those working outside your Team) are able to direct the energy and enthusiasm of the masses (especially of our awakening youth) towards a concerted and concrete action, corruption can be reduced considerably and peace and prosperity ensured to a large extent in our nation. Hence I most humbly propose the formation and implementation of a “Well-Organized, Comprehensive, Constructive, Multi-Level, Nationwide NGO to Combat Corruption”.

So, overall, there is a need for rethinking on issues, for prioritization of goals, for sanitization of means and for re-mobilization of the masses with a view to achieve the desired ends the most democratically, peacefully and effectively. We want a civilized Movement/NGO, not civil unrest. We want to cleanse our democratic system, not have it overthrown completely. We want to root out corruption, not root out our parliamentarians. We want to safeguard, not imperil, the unity, security and stability of our country.

Kannan G

(An Ordinary Citizen of India & A Humble Member of IAC)

An Open Letter to All Politicians for the Formation of a New (Anti-Corruption) Party

Dear Corrupt and Non-corrupt Politicians of the Ruling, Opposition and Other Parties at the Center and the States of the Nation of India:

Thanks to the great and long-awaited awakening Shri. Anna Hazare has been able to evoke among the masses of our Nation, thanks to the mobilization of people’s power against the evil of corruption that he has been able to so passionately engender, fighting the pernicious and pervasive corruption that’s now stifling all walks of our lives now seems to have interestingly topped your agenda all of a sudden. How welcome would it have been if it really were at the top of your real agenda! But, unfortunately, nay, that’s not to be! Rooted deep in self-serving politics, the majority of our politicians are still playing the dirty game of hoodwinking the people who voted them to power, still playing the dirty game of disfiguring and debilitating real democracy to serve their vested interests. But it is now no more hard for the people to see how hollow their intentions are, how deceptive their efforts are, however hard they struggle to erect beautiful facades over it with their crooked schemes and well-trained lip servicing. The times are fast changing. The people are awakening. The death-knell of dirty politics is now being heard in the peripheries of an emerging new India. The day is not far when the people’s power shall have grown so much as to root out this dirty and demeaning politics from the very heart of our nation.

So, awaken, my dear politicians! Our Democracy is now in peril. The sword of Damocles now seems hanging over the heads of all our elected representatives. Know well, at least now, that the fate of all of you lies in the hands of the crores of common people of this country. All your ill-earned wealth will not be of any avail if the people resolve to throw you out of your seats once and for all. Know well that the people’s tolerance of corruption and maladministration is now nearing its melting point.  Look at what has been the ultimate fate of wicked and corrupt politicians, especially in the past few decades, in so many other countries round the globe. Be wise enough in time and you can save yourselves from falling prey to such unholy political obliterations. Don’t ever nurture the folly of construing non-violence as a weak force to reckon with. Please note that when history gets repeated, sometimes it repeats itself with unimaginable strength and in unprecedented proportions.  

I know that, irrespective of the parties you may belong to, there are so many among you who are really well-meaning, clean, highly efficient and for whom the welfare of their people and their nation means much above their personal interests. But the sad fact is that, as long as you stand with your corrupt colleagues and your crooked parties, the people cannot but count you too as part and parcel of some of those undesirable political packages.  So, my dear politicians, what’s the way out? Will it still be possible for the really good ones amongst you to keep yourselves untainted, win the respect of the now-awakening electorate, come to power and give yourselves to venerable service of the nation? The solutions are not far to seek. The options are many. But of all the options, I think, only one would be really worthy and highly effective, if daringly pursued. 

To try and cleanse your parties by throwing out those with unclean and dubious distinctions and thereby try to enhance your own and your parties profiles in the eyes of the public, though a lot difficult especially considering the reactions and repercussions it usually creates, seems a very viable and easier to pursue proposition, no doubt. But judging by the criteria of its efficacy, stability, credibility and long term beneficial impacts the proposition would certainly rank low in the order of options available. So, let’s now take a look at the one other very best albeit very difficult option available. With all the courage of conviction it rightly demands, give up your corrupt parties, come out in the open, reveal your real intentions, and, irrespective of the parties you come from, join hands amongst yourselves and form a New Political Party that our country is now so much in need of – yes, that’s it.

Although on the surface it seems a bit utopian, the formation of a new political party comprising of the best of politicians from almost all the existing parties of today, is very much the need of the times, and is very much feasible should a few highly respected and bold ones amongst you venture to take the initiative. Although not impossible, very difficult it sure is. Why? Particularly because, it demands a lot of sacrifice from each of you who takes initiative to build the platform. You will then need to considerably rein in your egos, forget your strained pasts, forgive your rivals, shed your parochial political ideologies, reaffirm your political will, reset your priorities and interests, redraft your political agenda and give yourselves selflessly to the new political formation. You will then need to deliberately eliminate all differences arising from divergent economic, political and social theories, and concentrate on giving the nation and its people, a corruption-reduced, efficient and people-friendly administration, a soundly working and highly tolerant democracy, welfare-oriented, pro-poor, socially-just programmes and measures, sustainability, stability and security. In the beginning, although you might experience some opposition and a sense of being forsaken, in course of time, I am sure, the whole nation will be behind you. This is the time for you to show how true and committed you are, and not only the India of today but posterity too will certainly be highly indebted to you. 

What I am giving here is just something for all of you to seriously contemplate on and hence neither am I going to elaborate any further nor wind up my proposal with a request. With sheer faith and hope, I just leave the rest to the wise ones, the clean ones, the well-intentioned ones amongst you.

With regards and best wishes,

Kannan G.

(An ordinary, humble citizen of India)

Current Crusade-Anti-Corruption – An Overview

Crusade Anti-Corruption:

With it Anna Hazare, a man of sacrifice and uprightness, is now awakening a slumbering nation

All those who have woken up should now necessarily make waking-up-others-too their mission! 

Crusade Anti-Corruption:

Is not just whipping up mass-emotions but organizing people for constructive and non-violent action

So we need actions forged out with foresight and fueled not by mere passion but by contemplation!    

Crusade Anti-Corruption:

Is now high on the agenda of politicians of all sizes, statures and hues

Or else, they know, they will be thrown out of the all-important ‘The News’!

Crusade Anti-Corruption:

Is now the Supreme Slogan of politicians of parties, big and small

Even what competitive Yatras they now plan to evade an electoral fall!   

Crusade Anti-Corruption:

Is now a Public Platform for all non-corrupt, less-corrupt and more-corrupt politicians

On it, lo, what desperate efforts to malign ones opponents and to dress up ones innocence! 

Crusade Anti-Corruption:

Is now for the public a Loud Speaker, their long pent-up angst to let out

To make their suppressed voices heard through it, they now unrestrainedly shout!

Crusade Anti-Corruption:

Is now for the public a Symbol of Patriotism, a Symbol of Duty and Integrity

Whoever now stays away from it risks being branded a Patron of Treachery!    

Crusade Anti-Corruption:

Is now for the public an impressive and decisive Weapon to defend the Fortress of Democracy

But it may boomerang and endanger even its Frontiers if not used most intelligently!   

 

Crusade Anti-Corruption:

Is now the hottest Topic for Debate amongst the so-called-intellectuals of our land

Instead of creating unhealthy cracks, how great if they could extend a supportive hand!  

Crusade Anti-Corruption:

Is now, for all Social and Civil Rights Activists, the Greenest and the most Popular Pasture

But, how nice if they could all join hands and work honestly for a fair and brighter future!   

Crusade Anti-Corruption:

Is now, for all the Activists, a Torch of Revolution to be held high too passionately

But, unless they all decide to walk together in line, they will truly be tortured enormously!  

Crusade Anti-Corruption:

Is now, for all well-meaning Activists, to come on a common platform, a great opportunity

To shed all differences small, to unite for a greater cause, all for the good of this country!