Who won? Politics.
Too many times in the last five days, the Anna Hazare-led movement against corruption was labeled 'apolitical', almost as if to call it political would taint it somehow. Subramaniam Vincent analyses the 'victory'.
First, they called it blackmail. Most dictionaries I checked keep to this meaning: “Extortion of money or something else of value from a person by threats to divulge discrediting information.” It isn’t clear how a hunger strike to demand an anti-corruption agency with power take on the corrupt, suddenly turned out to be moral blackmail. What particularly discrediting information was Anna Hazare proposing to release about the UPA government?
The 2G scam? Sorry, that broke long back. The CWG scam? Sorry, that one broke earlier too. The million NREGA scams? No. Those break each day in some corner or other of this nation. Everyone already knows that most tenders in this country have kickbacks riding along. In a season where the UPA government has already been drenched in one discrediting scam after another, how could Hazare’s motley group of crusaders discredit Manmohan Singh and his team any more to even worry them?
Eight citizens fasted indefinitely in Bangalore during the campaign; they broke their fast on the morning of April 9th after Anna Hazare ended his at New Delhi. On the far right with the microphone is Mahendra Kumar Gandhi, who started his indefinite fast on April 5th. Pic: Meera K.
Hardly. It was one individual’s simple and clear-minded choice to take his long battle against corruption to a higher level: place his life on altar of sacrifice in the very manner than the founding fathers of this nation had done, again and again, seven decades ago to free this nation. That was all.
Civil Society cannot write law?
Next they said, law in our country is drafted by parliamentarians, and civil society cannot usurp that power to itself. The Hazare group’s demands were cast out as erosion of democracy.
The critics forget too easily that the national movement that liberated India from its rulers ended up seating it’s very leaders as the framers of our Constitution - the original foundation for all law. It simply isn’t at all unusual the campaigners - respected in their past accomplishments as they already are - to have a say in what will go into the Lok Pal bill. (The one blemish that Hazare could have perhaps avoided is including the father-son duo of eminent lawyers, Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan, in the committee. It would have been just as well to have only one of them.)
Authoritative streak
Another criticism is that somehow the movement has legitimised an authoritarian streak that is itself anti-democratic. The movement, the worry is, will now somehow lead to every other campaign in India using the same tactic to get the government to pass a bill. People who feel this are legitimately worried, and I empathise with them. Power is power. It can be abused and it will corrupt.
But they miss the point.
Every genuine people’s movement cannot be held hostage by debate over its methods, as long as they are peaceful and constitutional. More importantly they miss the point that it was not Hazare’s fast-unto-death that got the government to move. It was an uprising of nationwide support for the stance of a man of stature, track record and integrity as Hazare’s that made the government rethink its line.
What the critics also miss is that every “other cause” is simply not going to get this kind of support. In a democratic society, however immature or otherwise, popular values are liberal values. Only a cause as great and undivisive as this could gain this kind of support so quickly.
The activists’ draft will create a Lok Pal demon
The last criticism I will take on. Several people have read through the India Against Corruption group’s draft of the Lok Pal bill. They are worried that this will unleash upon India a new demon - a new unaccountable, all-powerful Lok Pal - that will stride along like a monster, abusing its power, and only drag the nation down into a deeper abyss.
Such is our fear of power - or its abuse - in this country, that again, the point is missed. This nationwide five-day movement was not as much about a battle over the nuances of a workable Lok Pal Bill. It was also not about getting my version of the Lok Pal bill passed over yours, because my daddy is bigger than your daddy.
An ‘educated’ citizenry full of resentment and frustrated with corruption was galvanised by Hazare. Their idealism found a voice in him. They found a hero, as unlikely as it may have seemed just a few weeks before the ultimatum Hazare issued to the UPA.
Still, a demon in the making? The parliamentary process for making law is clear. First the 50:50 joint committee will have to develop a consensus on one overarching question: What does ‘teeth’ to the Lok Pal and LokAyukta really mean in practice? I.e., How can deterrent of corruption be made real to the fullest extent our Constitution will permit?
The consensus bill will have to then pass the union cabinet before the monsoon session begins. Next, it will be discussed in Parliament, where given the history made in the last week, there will very likely be a serious debate. After it will be about the ‘teeth’ politicians are giving a body to hunt the corrupt amongst themselves down. Fourth, it will likely be sent to a standing committee before being finally brought back to vote.
At any one of these stages bill may ‘evolve’. And given the history of law-making in our country, dilution of even the consensus legislation that emerges from the joint committee, is the risk. Hazare and his band of reformers know this - experienced as they are. Which is why the 73-year-old veteran of many battles has already said that the journey has only begun. So to even think that this movement has somehow set the stage for the unleashing of an undemocratic Lok Pal onto the nation, is putting cart before the horse.
Victory
So who really won on Saturday, April 9th, 2011?
It was not Hazare. It was not even all the citizens around the nation who campaigned for his cause. It was politics. This movement has shown the nation what politics could be about as India moves along. The amplification by a somewhat partisan electronic media - true as it may be - does not take away anything from the fact the uprising across so many cities was genuine. And there were both signs and sparks in recent times.
Everyone watching Karnataka knows the outpouring of support that Lokayukta Santosh Hegde received in 2010 when he sent his resignation in frustration at being unable to hold the corrupt and nabbed accountable. The outrage in Bangalore in particular and elsewhere in the nation was tremendous. Moved, he decided to stay on and fight. Ironically, even as he remains a government functionary today, he is on the ‘civil society team of five’ in the government’s joint committee.
For too long this nation has seen politics of only one kind: seat grabbing for elections, black money, liquor, doleouts, vote grabbing, vote catching, vote cashing, land grabbing, coalitions, threats, walkouts, upstaging governments, and what not. Politics for us has never been about the elementary dignities of citizenship: duties and rights.
In fact, we have seen such abysmal politics for so long that many have forgotten what politics itself should be about.
April 9th, 2011 was a victory for Indian politics itself because it has shown that there is a moral fibre left in this nation. It is easy to get cynical in India about all things ‘public’. But in a democracy all political authority ultimately flows from the people to its representatives, not the other way around. When an assertive citizenry want that power back to steer the country on a new (and corrected) course, their claim is not easy to deny.
It is also a message to all mainline political parties who have failed India in politics, despite winning election after election in state and country. A warning that an empowered Lok Pal that cuts back on corruption will also end the parties’ largest source of illegitimate finances - government contracts and projects. The Lok Pal can become the Comptroller and Auditor General’s best friend, as the latter already exposes one department after another in audit after audit, year after year.
Our political parties, sooner or later, will simply need to reform the way they run their affairs. You cannot have a Lok Pal that has the teeth to put people behind bars on the one hand, and elections funded by black money on the other hand. It is either one or the other.
And so it has come to pass that the ‘urban’, ‘educated’ and even affluent citizens have finally turned a new page in politics in India. Write off the middle and high-income tax-payers no more. But make no mistake. It is not a new chapter yet. As Hazare and his supporters say, the battle has begun.
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Cite this article
Subramaniam Vincent (2011) ‘Who won? Politics.’, India Together, 10 April 2011. https://indiatogether.org/lokpal-op-ed/
10 reader responses
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alpana · 10 April 2011
after reading the content m very sure that bill will be smothered. many times delay is killer
Jagadeesh Bharadwaj · 10 April 2011
Compliments to you Mr.Subramaniam Vincent for a thoroughly analyed article on the hot subject in today's context. Yes the battle has just begun and everyone should involve in whatever possible way to reach the destination.
Sukla Sen · 10 April 2011
Here we must take note of some points of valid concern. One, the institution of Lok Pal should not become a sort of Frankenstein - an unaccounted and unlimited authority. TN Seshan had tried that while as the CEC. Fortunately, the judiciary refused to play along. Then, the Bharat Mata as the backdrop on the platform does not inspire confidence. It has a strong RSS connection. So is Sri Sri Ravishankar, and perhaps even Baba Ramdev. That should alert us to the possibility of gained credibility through this campaign being used in future for not so honourable causes. Thirdly, while a good law does definitely help; the problem is essentially systemic. The belief that there is some simple panacea available, in the form of an all-powerful ombudsman, doesn't really help. Having said that, it is all for the good that the government has yielded to public pressure and agreed to form a joint drafting committee. The momentum must be maintained. We'll however have to have cautious optimism as regards further developments while being engaged with the issue. Smart Alecky cynicism or sweeping optimism, neither will do. And, in heady times it is good to be exposed to doubts and dissents. That helps to gain some balance.
Vispi Homi Jokhi · 10 April 2011
Yes this analysis is correct. At the end of the day systemic change comes after a change from within and while opposition is good, the main reason why Anna's movement succeeded was his credibility and a focus on a specific issue and solution to it, rather than general opposition.
Thallapelli Praveen · 10 April 2011
Thanks to Subramaniam Vincent for his article. First we should all be cautious about the yoga guru Baba Ramdev, they are using these platforms for their personal gains. It is a known fact that he might join the political spectrum in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Second thing the government should call for an urgent parliament meet. The Jan Lokpal bill should be passed as soon as possible. There should not be anymore debate on the bill. The civilians are fed up of hearing the politicians debating. The civil society is much powerful than the 543+2 MPs. It is the civilians who send the politicians to parliament. If the civilians want they will recall it is possible in democracy. Civilians are not unaware of the law. There are many intellectuals in the civil society who think of the society far better than a pseudo leader or a pseudo politician. Politics is meant for the sustainable development of the human mankind. When the politicians cannot develop the society its better they quit. After the end of JP there is no such committed parliamentarian. Exceptions are always there, but no parliamentarian could gain the confidence of the whole nation, its a big question for all of us to think. India produces many intellectuals, thinkers, writers, activists, what not everything. But there was always this lack of collective leadership.
Amitabha Basu · 10 April 2011
The editor has rightly argued that a Lok Pal Bill with teeth will act as a deterrent to the rampant and unpunished corruption that pervades all spheres of activity in Indian today. Further, as has been pointed out, the present movement and the governments agreeing to set up a committee to draft the bill by consensus is only the first step in the battle. However, it is important to recognize where the root of corruption in our society lies. Does it lie at the bottom, among the petty clerks, policemen, peons, etc. who will not do any work unless paid a bribe ? Without ignoring these things, does it not lie at the top of the economic, social and political ladder, among the top industrialists competing for favourable contracts and leases from the government, among the politicians and bureaucrats who use their position to enrich themselves to the maximum ? The 2G scam, the Commonwealth Games scam, various arms purchase scams past and present, all bear testimony to the latter. While every citizen needs to be seriously concerned at the extent to which petty corruption has seeped into every aspect of our daily lives, which perhaps is not so much the case in the developed world, we should also think and investigate deeply as to the root cause of corruption in India and how to work to eradicate it.
Vaishnavi Vittal · 14 April 2011
Dear Subbu As you looked up the meaning of blackmail, I did politics. The Oxford dictionary explains thus: the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power. Was it really a victory of politics? I believe not. In fact, I believe it was a victory of the citizens. Yes, the movement did tell us what politics should be. The fact that there is a moral fibre left in this nation was proved by the fact that people came out of their homes and protested. What this movement has done is this, as you have mentioned An 'educated' citizenry full of resentment and frustrated with corruption was galvanised by Hazare. Their idealism found a voice in him. They found a hero, as unlikely as it may have seemed just a few weeks before the ultimatum Hazare issued to the UPA. The Jan Lokpal Bill is not going to be the end of things in our country where corruption is deep-rooted. Will the Jan Lokpal be able to help us if a traffic cop stops us on the road for speeding and demands a quick buck? It might, if the offender actually complains. If he chooses to pay an extra 100 rupees, not much will happen. It is interesting that barely a few days later, there are already questions being raised about whether the Jan Lokpal Bill in itself is enough. Will these politicians allow for a Jan Lokpal Bill with teeth be passed? Wouldnt be like digging their own grave? Yes, the battle has just begun. And until and unless the bill is passed, with no loopholes, the country will have to be prepared for more such movements. The fact that Anna Hazares movement was referred to as apolitical was simply because they did not want it to be about a particular person or organization, and rather wanted it to be about the cause, in this case the fight against corruption. In Bangalore, where I closely witnessed the support the movement received, there were many occasions wherein a group, sangha, organization would try to take over and promote themselves. Media organizations themselves tried to say that it was their campaign. It upset many volunteers, since this was meant to be for the people of the country and not about one individual or organization. From my understandings, I feel that those five days were not really about peoples participation. But about peoples voices being heard. There were heated conversations about specifics of the Bill. A majority of the people actually took time out to come and be a part was the victory. It just goes to show that it can happen again. I would also like to refer to the Lokpal Bill as you have mentioned. Over the past few days several volunteers of India Against Corruption have corrected me in saying that there is a difference between the Lokpal Bill (Draft 2010) and the Jan Lokpal Bill (proposed). What Anna Hazare and his crusaders are asking for is the Jan Lokpal Bill.
Vivek Joshi · 17 April 2011
Dear Subramaniam Vincent , Namaskar. The question not about Anna Hazares & his panch pyare but it is Are we defeating own democratic systems that we have created and we vote for? It is about Faith! One can justify anything and everything in this world this does not mean he is correct! Nationwide support! In India it is said 30 lakhs smss are sent to Indian idol competition .The support was from the media ,some urban people in the form of candle marches and net based activism of clicking like it button by the people who go on family vacation on the voting day... Ha Ha nationwide support!! Please do not compare it with freedom struggle! If you can understand the difference please do not write about it. I should be considered as an effective peoples movement only if we have 75-80 % plus voter turnout in next general elections. Some people wanted to be in the bill drafting committee & they powered their way in the committee thru this so called movement.. It would have been fare if they would have said the keep any 5 people from their given list of 20 in the committee rather than suggesting their own names Common man is still out of the drafting.. Why the committee cant be constituted as: 1. Prime minister- the highest democratically elected person - chairman 2. 2 ministers 3. 2 bureaucrats 4. 2 serving judges 5. 2 CEOs- Industry representatives 6. 2 NGO representatives 7. 2 village surpanchs 8. 2 lawyers 9. 2 representatives from the opposition parties 10. 2 Media representatives 11. 2 teachers I feel NGOs and Private industry should also be under the jurisdiction of the Lokpal.... why single our people in power only as they are reflection of our society itself hence everything should be under its jurisdiction It seems you do not like UPA which is fine .. a personal choice India has voted them in for 5 years .. It is the empowered voter of India that has overthrown PM s & their governments in last many elections ..do not underestimate them .. Respect their choice.. Wont it be fare if I say that there are 10,000/- more Anna Hazares in India who are quietly doing their service to nation whom media has not focused on as yet.. I feel, India is and has been in hands of right people ( irrespective of parties) who have worked to evolve it into a economic super power and now have unleashed many schemes to reach out to the common man including MNREGA , financial inclusion, ID card scheme etc.. It is the media that has been bashing India and reporting only negatives in last 2 decades ( as I have observed).. check your web site it is filled with negative articles about everything.. I am neither against the LOKPAL bill nor in support of corruption It is about How & Who ! We got to be very careful here..!! With goo d wishes & good Luck.. Vivek Joshi
Prakash Ch Pincha · 21 April 2011
Those who are finding faults in Mr Vincent's arguments do have right to do so, but they have failed to gauge the frustration of the people at the hands of the politicians of every hue and color. If system fails, there is nothing wrong for a vigilant civil society to be part of the statute making exercise. Would you appreciate that that though the Indian constitution was adopted by the elected representatives of India in its parliament but the it was drafted by a constituent assembly members of which were not parliamentarians of free India at the time of drafting.
sushilsingh · 14 August 2011
To,Anna, government of india has failed to jugdge the frustration of indian people. they are fed up know several scam open day by day.The parliament member does know about the mahangai how general people live, Anna age bado ham apke sath hai.how to dare cabinate ministers always say mahangai nahii ghategi, tel ki kimat nahi gategi, hamare pass jadu ki chhadi nahi hai etc.govet. has indirectly deligates the power to all public sector comp, bank and manufacturer to rises the price jab chaho jab badao, Totally govt. has govt. has failed. hence Anna is only one to solve these problem