6 August 2012

Who is Anna Hazare?

The country has been trended by #IAmAnnaHazare #AntiCorruption #HonestIndia tags, which brings light  to the movement that Mr. Hazare is leading, in order to remove the corrupts from power and bring justice to the people. They have grasped the attention of typical Indian masses, even a lax and cozy guy like me. Their methods are of non-violence, silent protests, and hunger strikes. It is the same way, that Gandhi first followed, and it takes a lot of guts to follow this path. It is the path that needs self-preservation, and unknown depths of belief. 
In fact, my uncle is one of the prominent activist of this movement at my hometown, Bhilwara.  He sends bulk sms, trading the facts about movement and the corrupt government. He organizes plays, bhajan nights, peaceful processions and art galleries, and I don't know what he knows, or what drives him. It is just amazing that I have a that kind of guy, I can relate to. But more amazing is the Anna, What is Anna bringing in us ? Why do we want to listen to him?

I'm no thinker or an activist, I'm more of a doodler, but I absolutely want to have a struggle on the question, "Who is Anna Hazare?" . Because I believe, by asking questions and fighting within ourselves to get to the answer, is the key.
Lets start with systems, every system that was ever designed, had its pros and cons, like Hindu marriage system, which gave birth to dowry, female foeticide, and burning brides, but it also gave us a way to get to know another kind of love, which was build up on customs and involvement of two families. It is a social thing. Similarly, when God supposedly created man, he gave him vices and virtues as well. It is just natural that we succumb to a few of them. And now this country has democracy, to the people, by the people and for the people. But the notion has been modelled to from the people, of the people, in front of people. A democracy lives or die, by the people it has, and mindset they carry. It is not corrupt  government , it is us, that have corrupt souls. We are so engrossed in ourselves in terms of our own self-interest, that we would take any way to get to the end result. I have always known corrupt people, who gave bribes, took bribes and I know, it was necessary in that context, otherwise world won't let them slip.
So If we think, the world is gonna go better when Lokpal Bill comes into action, think again. Still there is a man, Hazare and his attempt is not to bring down corrupt government, but to bring corrupt mentalities of ours. With his movement, many memes are on the Facebook, people are supporting Hazare's campaign, which indirectly supports the poor people who has been selling the caps, banners etc. I actually came into contact with many people of different regimes, and I just enjoy what they tell about them. In fact, the whole purpose of corruption, is to alienate oneself from society. But there is a society out there, which can grow by the mutual help of people. And our strive should be that we should help each other. Even if Anna's Lokpal Bill fails, we must reckon what Anna represents.
The notion that government is responsible for every wrong action in democratic framework, implies that people have not got what democracy is about. Government is just there to support your endeavours, rest you do things, raise buisness guilds, make NGOs and fight poverty etc and if they do something wrong,you fight them, challenge them,and overcome them.

People should not be afraid of government, 
the government should be afraid of its people.
-- V For Vendetta  

I know we all are tainted with some vices, and it should not be shame, but come as an essential truth. And when we will overcome this, I know society can become all better.

No comments:

Post a Comment