So far, the "darling of the masses" Anna has remained confined to his parent state Maharashtra launching tirade after tirade against the ruling class. There is little evidence whether he's achieved anything by way of results. It is also interesting to note that the mainstream media, despite being totally cavalier to the interests of people launched him in a big way last year. There is no mention of how funds came in, how public opinion was sought to be changed and how much money changed hands to launch a 24x7 coverage.
Why things change so little? Fact is that politics in India caters only to narrow parochial sectarian interests. A common man has pure disdain for the political events but the Government chooses to reward the voting masses by it's largess. Hence you see a rotting wasteland example of NREGA, NAC (without accountability), Food Subsidy bill etc.
People whose interests are served up in this manner would be loath to change. For very obvious reasons because the system serves their interests pretty well. Would they oppose reservations because affirmative action is a failed example for integrating the minorities? Nope. Would the people think collectively and oppose NREGA despite mountains of money is being siphoned off? No.
The only people who raise their voice are newspaper readers writing angry letters to the editors or people like me on this blog. We are pretty powerless because the "literate" middle class is disjointed at every step.
That could explain the possibility of groundswell support for the neo-gandhi" trying to create a super-megastructure that is not accountable to anyone. Since we are all famously cynical, mercifully, the "lokpal tamasha" is slowly waning off.
Therefore a socio-political engagement is required at a deeper level. About urgently needed parliamentary reforms and making the existing system deliver effectively. There is also an urgent need to put bureaucracy more effective and accountable to the people ranter than total paralysis of decision making.
Let 2012 ring in some fresh ideas that keeping it mundane. The newspapers, media and the "civil society" debate on the realities than echo the drawing conversations about the weird looking humbug from weirder sounding village in Maharastra.
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2 comments:
My take:
The masses and also the insular middle class joined as the prices were spiraling out of control. Unfortunately for the UPA, a welter of scams broke out where Crores had lost meaning unless they were counted by the lakh. Team Anna adroitly tagged the two together and told the masses that if this money could be recovered, prices could be brought under control. Since the scam figures were so humongous, the claim of team Anna seemed credible. Also, Anna did not have a shady image: the politicos have only tried to sully him by association, highlighting alleged financial misdemeanors of his team as if they are crimes they have been convicted for.
The media have lost interest in the cause: I wonder if they were ever committed to a clean India in the first place. A watchdog is a dog after all, and its loyalties are to its master. Also, one cannot say if the dog we see as a watchdog is in reality a shepherd dog, herding the mass mind. The sheep are a useful asset- they are shorn for wool to keep the master warm and slaughtered to appease his hunger. The dog gets a morsel thrown his way too.
Anna's agitation lost steam, and going by his health, his team cannot take hi-pressure risks with him any more. They lack individual credibilty to muster popular support on their own without Anna - ever.
In sum, Lokpal has been managed, and will be an office of profit for political appointees.
I have changed my opinion somewhat on this. Given that the govt. tried to throw muck at the entire Lokpal team, it was only on Hazare that it did not stick. Also, the fasting seems to have taken a toll on Hazare's health. With these, I find it hard to doubt his honesty or commitment.
The people surrounding him are no doubt corrupt to different degrees. I really do not know at this stage if Lokpal is ultimately good or bad. Our existing legal machinery is not great either and basically treats common people like mutts.
Also, it is likely that this movement is funded externally.
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