We are grateful to Anna Hazare for what he has done. He and others with their tremendous effort have put issues related to corruption at the centre stage. It is expected that an effective Lokpal (rather than strong lokpal) is created through the process of negotiation and consensus. Hopefully these don’t become Frankenstein monsters and threaten the democratic institutions itself. Indeed Lokpal is only one aspect of the issue; it isn’t an end in itself. I am glad that Anna and followers have decided to focus on electoral reforms. It is something that 'superior' parliament should have focused long time back. Do they realise how much misery their inaction has caused? Political parties seem to have got trapped in a self sustaining morass. It was necessary for an outside agency to stir things. Anna Hazare movement has done it. What is gladdening is that they have kept it at a simple level for the common people to relate to and understand, thus able to galvanize people. Which is refreshing considering these were accrued by Delhi based activist brigade, mostly fed by interest groups, that end up in get-together and seminars (I always found the menu sumptuous!!).
That the country got into this impasse is reflections of growing disconnect that elected representative have with common people. Those who are not having criminal background seem to suffer from such arrogance that they manipulate with impunity. They are chiding common sense of people. The inflated egos seem least concern to our problems, they value everything in terms of spin. The problem is small timers are masquerading as leaders, expertising in devious means. Unfortunately, in a way, they are by product of competitive democracy. Their concern seems to only score debating points with opposition. Another reason why two party system is so very dangerous, it reduces all issue into binary X vs Y- that market media loves to amplify to suit its narration. What is lost in these competing cacophonies and simplification is nuances of the issue that affect the people. What is lost in the clarion call of victory and defeat is varying views and multitude nature of society.
Corruption is a serious issue and the surging support is a reflection of common people’s angst, no less consolidated by anger at obvious attempt to manipulate by the Government. This anguish was channelized by media and Anna group. It is a rare occasion that there is a surging unanimity therefore overwhelming response. I am shocked to see how Congress Party can stoop to such cheapness, this moral bankruptcy was exploited and so Anna gained such credibility (and rightly so, the man is honest) despite elements of insular or that most people may not know what a Lokpal really include. It is sad that a Government that started with so much promise has been reduce to this. NAC is a brilliant conception and RTI is no mean achievement. This blogger believes that RTI was a watershed Act. But somewhere the manipulating elements seem to have taken the initiative. It is very likely the growing influence of the market- the PR fixers (i met Crude woman the other day, she insisted that she could have done better fixing!). They seem to have crept into higher level of policy making. It is a grievous concern.
This blogger sincerely hopes -despite my high regards for Anna, that these kinds of agitation don’t repeat. I am concerned since attempts to diminish the stature of parliament/politicians has been quite vocal among elites, in last two decades a significant section of people from lower strata are exerting their presence through ballot. The role of money in ballot has been apparent in the last elections. But the politicians will still have to go to common people for vote. They have to listen to people who are not necessarily watching TV debates. This representation however skewed cannot be undermined. It’s a collective faith of common people. If any attempts are made then we have only government to blame. The government should show genuine concern on the issues raised, and be seen as a positive presence. That is what people’s representation means. The Government should realise that art of governing is not manipulation. It is not fixer’s job. And yes it is not about creating perceptions. The market media might use terms like ‘fight for perception’ -it is a self justifying argument, but the fact is world doesn’t go round on perceptions. People’s lives are not matter of perception. If you are truthful, if your intents are clear and is meant for betterment then people will support you. The problem here is some of these ‘leaders’ are amazingly corrupt. They do manipulations and double talk to scuttle the issues that concern people. The exaggerated concern for perception arises from these. Secondly how can you work on perception? By coming in few TV channels? What a ridiculous understanding. Truly India shining. They seem to think if they engage few debating clubs they can solve problems of a billion people. It never happened that way and it never will.
Only market –as seen by ads, works through manipulations and by creating perception. India is not thankfully America, this not how things should work. Market (indeed market media) should have very limited role. Their exaggerated presence is a serious concern. There is a nexus that is detrimental to common people. I strongly suggest that there should be a core groups that handle mass media, that has focus and strategy (apart from the spokesperson) it is not the job of Cabinet minister to give exclusives. It is a travesty and waste of valuable time and money. It is a form of corruption.
It need also be understood that common people (indeed people like Anna) come from a space that carry idioms and context that is existent for thousands of years. In the debating club and media groups based in cities (particularly Delhi where the stampede is acute) they have carved out turfs for daily wages. The ideas and linchpins they create for defining secularism, freedom...etc vary quite significantly from common people. To take an example you go down to any small town in North India it is very likely you will be greeted with a “ram ram”, back in activist stampede of Delhi you could be classified as fundamentalist (RSS, mind it!) and condemned forever. In the meantime fabindia crowd score brownie points against each other. The so called human right activists based in Delhi (who i am sure are fed by powerful people, and also carrot for position and foreign tours) seem vicious set of the lot. It is understandable when you have so much to lick with so little effort (it boils down to shouting). It is so easy to speak for a billion people sitting in Delhi-Mumbai studio and accrue as much. Amazing, the fight against corruption. Since debating is now almost a game may i suggest the need for dope test, some of these speakers surely seem to be on steroids.
Anna Hazare is an excellent outcome but sooner or later the market media will find the going difficult. Already the discussions are interceded by glimpses of Formula One car race (that i am told is going to be ‘India is proud’ moment). How is that not corruption, forget corruption these are unethical. Market media has its own reason to create synergy against political class, in this case they have done a great job and Anna is a believable mask. But the way Indian media deals with issues in itself matter of scrutiny. You will have to see debates in foreign channels like say BBC to know how mediocre and frivolous Indian media is. Their penchant for small timers from movies and adworld (there are exception, like say Prasoon Joshi) in serious discussions reduce it to farce. There is rarely any much insight; “rebuttal” is a popular word. It’s disgusting.
The problem here is Anna is too real and a committed person (there though is a streak of avuncular patriarchy – not a major problem), he in a way epitomizes understandings of substantial section of society. Anna is made of studier material and is unlikely to compromise on his values. His outlook towards consumerism and worldview arising out of it –the one that market thrives on, will definitely clash with quaint world media has created. Anna is a mask that market media is trying to get their moral halo. For the time being it seems to be working.
