Aug 20, 2011

An-na-na-na-na-na!

Mass movements make me nervous, because their leaders are deified and in the eyes of their followers, can do no wrong. The kind of intensity and focus that members of these movements bring to the cause is not often matched by depth of understanding of the issues, or more importantly, breadth of understanding of the world. No issues can be resolved in isolation, or there will be unintended consequences.

All too often, the recruits for these mass movements are those with the time to devote to them - not necessarily those qualified (in any sense of the word) to contribute.

Finally the leaders of these mass movements become rockstars - and from there either they are corrupted by their power, or become victims of their own fallibility, because no one is smart enough to be a god... unless they go completely offstage (or worse, die) before they make their first mistakes.

This is why Anna Hazare's "anti-corruption movement" in India is at best a quixotic piece, and at worst a circus that is going to benefit media TRPs more than the country. I almost feel sorry for the man - he has one good idea, but no vision to speak of, and is now cornered by his own followers. He reminds me of Raju Guide
more than Mahatma Gandhi at this point!


When drafting public policy, in a democracy, the most you can expect is a seat at the negotiating table - which he got. No, you are not going to get your draft adopted unanimously. However flawed the system, these are democratically elected representatives you are dealing with, and they will have their say in the drafting of the bill. Unless you want to revert to the romanticized chaos of Athenian agoras, and the sophistry thereof, in a representative democracy you must get along with the representatives! Stepping away from the table and wailing that you didn't get you way is... silly. The question to ask is, is the draft bill stronger than it was? Looks to me like it is!

Yes, Manmohan Singh's government is making a dog's dinner of proceedings, and they are as incompetent as any other set of politicians in the country. So what? The Jan Lokpal bill is no panacea!

Oh, and for those super-busy calling this the next "freedom struggle" and those comparing Hazare to Gandhi - seriously? As I recall, General Dyer wasn't employed to clean up Jalianwala Bagh so the people in it could fast for 15 days. No, he had a different agenda. On the other hand, Ramlila Maidan was cleaned up this week.

Also, a word on Mahatma Gandhi. Wait - is he fashionable again? Wasn't he the whipping boy until recently among the current opposition parties? Now they can't wait to adopt him as their guide and savior!

Finally a word on some of those hypocrites who are wearing badges and black clothing et al "in support of Anna" and waxing eloquent on social networks. Dudes, I saw several of you buying fake travel and medical bills so you could stiff the government on taxes. I've seen you bribe traffic cops. I've seen you "get work done" in government offices. I've seen you not bothering to vote (disclaimer: I'm guilty on that count too). So just where do you get off being as sanctimonious as you sound now? Are you really surprised that your country is as corrupt as it is?


Let me rephrase: Are you really surprised that your country is as corrupt as it is?

Jesus said "let him who has committed no sin cast the first stone". For once, (just this once!) I agree with him.

3 comments:

chhaya diwan said...

very well written hrishi,i agree with u....it has become the great indian circus...the credit goes to Indian janata who just wait for a new baba(Anna)to arrive and they follow him like a lamb....i dont blame Anna though..the poor fellow has genuin belief in his lokpal bill....

Mandar said...

Hey, You have written a great summary of the events happening in India and I'm sure you've been subjected to greater debates due to this,
But Just a few mentions I'd like to make and add onto the points, While talking about Elected Representatives, I guess we only 'Select' our leaders in India, Election is an idyllic situation which is yet to happen in Indian Democracy, But an unelected regulator over a selected Government is also an implausible option the agitators are asking for, Bottom to Top approach which you are referring to is the Ideal way,
But curbing the instincts of those powerful enough to enforce their tyranny, is possible only by attenuating the extent of power they hold!
If this agitation ends up into empowering the judiciary into taking stringent actions against them (Which is very unlikely indeed) then it will be a certain satisfactory change.
Indian People are doing the Gandhian mistake all over again, They are following the leader rather than following his thought and honestly neither the leader nor the thought is worth following in this so called second freedom struggle!

Mandar Jehurkar

Hrishi Diwan said...

Hi Mandar - thanks, and yes there has been quite a vigorous debate over this post (although it doesn't show in the comments - it happened on Facebook and Google+)!

As to your points, I think bottom to top is indeed the way to go - and those at the top can't do much without help from those under them anyway!