Many of my friends have asked me: “You write so much, why have you not written a piece on Anna Hazare?” I could not reply that question. But to be honest, I never felt like writing anything on Anna’s fast. It’s not that I’m not against corruption but I feel merely supporting Anna by writing a blog on his movement is not enough.
Before I’m misunderstood, let me clarify that I strongly believe that India needs a strong anti-corruption law, which could deter all the corrupt officials and ministers. I even had plans to go to Ramlila Maidan and support that great Gandhian in his crusade against the greatest malaise of our society. But I was just wondering: Will that attendance do anything other than giving me a sense of a token satisfaction of having contributed a little towards that cause?
I was in Delhi during Anna’s fast and it was a great sight to see youngsters, who are accustomed to spend their weekends in pubs and bars, don the Anna cap and support the anti-corruption movement. I saw them shouting slogans like “Vande Matram” and “I’m Anna” at Metro stations which made me feel guilty about my lack of enthusiasm for this bill.
I have my own reasons. Who are these people against whom we want a strong Loakpal? Have they come from some alien planet? They are the ones amongst us and have been chosen by us. Are we sure that none of us will indulge in the corrupt practices if we are given the same power? How many of us will be able to restrain ourselves?
Do we need Raja, Kalmadi and company to tell us that there is something called “Corruption” in our society? Don’t we witness that in our daily lives? Don’t you think we all are also involved in corruption? Is our own conscience clear?
We don’t want to vote and choose our representatives; We dont want to wait in queue for our turn; We dont want to wait for red light to turn green at traffic signals; we dont want to drive in correct lane; we dont want to go and give test for our driving license; we dont want to throw the waste in dustbin; we don’t want to stop littering on the road. But we want a strong JAN LOKPAL!!
I see corruption in many forms almost everywhere. Fake medical bills and rent receipt for tax rebate. Using office transport without being a member. Using office stationery/telephone for personal use. Is Jan Lokpal going to curb these activities?
I was delighted that those youngsters, at the Metro station in Delhi, are supporting Anna but at the same time I was disappointed that most of them were not following the queue to enter the station. Don’t you think that is also a form of corruption? Don’t you think its time that we stop hiding behind that silly excuse of “Sab karte hai toh main bhi karoonga” Then what right do we have to call for Jan Lokpal?
We need Jan Lokpal but at the same time we need to change our attitude as well. Charity begins at home and this is the time to start practicing it. Let us all take an oath that we’ll never indulge in any form of corruption and then only we’ll be able to build the clean and corruption free India.
