mrsamct
Joined: 07 Aug 2011
Posts: 208
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 India Against Corruption, A Wave that Swept the Nation |
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He stood against corruption and the entire country stood with him. He went on a hunger strike and the entire nation was ready to fast. He had started something no less than the struggle for independence. 65 years ago, the struggle was against foreign powers ruling the country. Today, it's against a corrupt government ruining it. Back then, it was Gandhi who led that struggle to success, today, it's him again; reborn! As Anna Hazare.
Clad in white, with a Gandhi cap on his head and the moral responsibility of an entire nation on his shoulders, this man went on a hunger strike in protest of corruption.
You may be the crown bearers, but you are not above those who gave it to you. You may be the 'government', but you are not above the 'ordinary citizens'. You may be the rulers, but you are not above law.
~ That's what the Jan Lokpal Bill says. It aims at eradicating corruption by empowering the 'ordinary citizens' to investigate corruption cases without Government approval.
The anti-corruption activists have drafted this bill in which they have sought the appointment of Jan Lokpal, an independent body that would look into corruption cases and work in a system whereby a corrupt person found guilty would be imprisoned within two years of the complaint and the wealth he/she amassed through corruption, would be seized. Annaji, Justice Santosh Hegde (former Supreme Court Judge and former Lokayukta of Karnataka), Prashant Bhushan (Supreme Court Lawyer) and Arvind Kejriwal (RTI activist) drafted this bill.
Anna Hazare wanted the Government to adopt this bill drafted by the civil society. The Government was of the opinion that the bill be drafted by a joint committee which would consist of members from the government and an equal number of members from the civil society. The plan was mutually agreed upon, following which only four meetings were held between April and May 2011. The meetings had no fruitful outcome. There were only differences of opinion and finally both sides drafted their own version of the bill. The government was not ready to budge from its version of the bill which had almost nothing in congruence with what the civil society demanded. Following this, Anna resolved to go on a fast, starting August 16.
Anna's philosophy and ardent call evoked an unprecedented response from millions all over the country. People residing both in and outside India pledged to support him in his rebel against corruption. Shedding their differences, they came together, for a cause. India Against Corruption is an organization formed by spirited Indians who wish to extend their support to this anti-corruption movement. The India Against Corruption Movement is taking the shape of one of the greatest revolutions in decades. It is a non-violent, peaceful and secular movement, encouraging every individual to be a part of it. It's a 'people's movement' fueled by the spirit of selfless service. It aims at establishing a common platform for people to participate, communicate and be aware. The IAC movement is truly a democratic one in the sense that it is made for and led by 'people'. You can check the IAC website to know about the fasting events in your city and ways to participate in them. The website also updates you on the protests being made in various parts of the country and tells you how to take part in them. Most importantly, it educates you on what exactly is this movement about and the philosophy with which it is being led. The IAC movement seeks a fool-proof solution to corruption and it knows the means and ways to achieve it. All it needs is backing from the citizens of this country.
As of August 25; it has been nine long days since Anna is on his hunger strike. Concerns over Anna's health grew when he refused being put on intravenous drip. There were rumors that his health was critical, but his supporters heaved a sigh of relief when Annaji himself addressed them, saying that he was perfectly fit and still ready to 'fight'. Meanwhile, talks between team Anna and the Government seem to have failed as government negotiators have not changed their attitude towards the Lokpal Bill. They are not ready to incorporate team Anna's suggestions like including the PM in the Lokpal, passing a new law on judicial accountability, bringing more transparency in selecting Lokpal members, making CBI and the Lokayuktas autonomous and allowing corruption to be dealt with in lower bureaucracy. The meeting simply brought disappointment to Anna and his supporters. Looks like there is a sort of deadlock, as discussions don't seem to progress in the right direction. Reports say, the government negotiators have proposed to meet team Anna again (on Thursday morning). Hazare said that the deadlock has exposed the government's 'true face'. He further added that he smells a game plan being cooked by the government officials, whereby they would be evicting Anna from the Ramlila ground. He has appealed his supporters to maintain peace, whatever happens.
As of August 26; Anna has been fasting for 10 days now. His supporters are only increasing. People from all the corners of India are registering their support to the anti-corruption movement in their own small ways. Many are participating in road and bike rallies, others are protesting outside politicians' houses; everyone's 'out on the roads', contributing. Lack of any concrete steps on part of the government has angered Anna's supporters. "Shame on the government", says an sms from India Against Corruption. Meanwhile Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, after a pretty long period of hesitation, has taken the initiative to break the deadlock. He has appealed to Anna to end his fast, and said that the government would be taking all the proposed ideas on the Lokpal Bill into consideration, in order to arrive at a final decision pertaining to sanctioning of the Jan Lokpal Bill. Sushma Swaraj, leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha has supported the Prime Minister. All the versions of the Lokpal Bill will be discussed in the Parliament on Friday.
It's high time we stand up against this malice of corruption and do all that we can to uproot it. The least each one of us can do, is become 'aware' and stay 'awake'. Cheers to the spirit of all those who rose and fought and still are... India is standing strong against corruption.
As of August 29: Annaji was not ready to relent to any oral assurances from the government. The unrelenting Anna kept his fast going, with millions with him waiting for a concrete step from the government supporting their cause. On August 27, Anna received a letter from the PM, which was handed to him by Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh. The letter said that both Houses of Parliament have passed a resolution whereby it agrees in principle on the Citizen's charter, lower bureaucracy under Lokpal and establishment of Lokayukta in states. This surely meant a victory to Anna, his supporters and the entire nation. Anna decided to end his fast and said he would do it on Sunday, August 28, in the presence of the thousands who were with him all through the movement. He addressed the crowd saying, he would end his fast with their permission. He declared it as the nation's victory against corruption and the thousands on the Ramlila maidan, waiting for this moment, triumphed. People from all over the country wanted to be a part of this moment - the moment of great pride. Anna declared it as a time to celebrate while also saying that it is only half the battle won. Further, he made a public appeal to carry out the celebrations peacefully. On August 28, Anna's fast ended and the entire nation was happy and proud. He ended his fast among the thousands cheering for him and his noble cause.
It's definitely a time to rejoice for India. Crowds marched to the India Gate to celebrate with a patriotic fervor, there were so many others rejoicing on this moment of joy in their own way. Some distributed sweets, some sang and danced to the tunes of patriotic songs, some raised slogans, and others waved the tricolor. Everyone, for another time, and when it was most needed, had united and proclaimed victory over the beast of corruption. Anna, the man who led this exceptional movement, has plans to bring a change to the Indian education system, better the voting system in the country and ensure justice done to the Indian farmers, among many more, promising a brighter future for India. This wave of India against corruption truly swept the nation, and awakened the whole of India to fight the wrong. Indians who could witness this movement and be a part of this moment of pride and joy, consider themselves fortunate, m
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mrsamct |
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