Abhishek Dwivedi
Last few days have been busy for Anna Hazare. Famous for his “fasts”, he did the tough task of heading a mass movement against corruption. His fast was a great hit scoring direct hits at the government and the political brass. The movement gained widespread popularity among the youth who were out to protest against the rampant corruption. The motto was same. To fight against corruption. To speak against the wide spread loot of the country and its exchequer. Anna’s fast was the silence breaking point for the young India who joined the old man in his old and proven method of protest. The great “Satyagraha”. Some parties called it a movement of few; others called it opposition’s bait. And some called it undemocratic. The government and its warriors were out to call it blackmail. While the major part of media tried to navigate away from the marches and protests siding with government, few tried to cash the movement with highly glorified coverage. But the question was and still is. Was it undemocratic?
The soul of democracy lies in the parliament. The parliament and its members are chosen directly by the citizens. They are representatives of people. They have been elected and sent to parliament to represent us and to guard the country’s economic and other interests. What if, instead of guarding the interests, he starts plundering the nation? What if, he turns hostile and forgets his duty towards the country? We cannot let him continue his act of disgrace just because he is an honorable member of parliament. When the savior of democracy starts betraying the very soul of democracy, it becomes important to speak. Same as what Anna ji and the young India did.
Scams after scams were coming out. The last year turned out to be the scam year of India. Scams ranging from land to waves, Space to sea shook the nation. The interesting case of CVC P.J.Thomas and the accompanying shame for government was an important point to think upon. The government appointed a charge sheeted person as the head of India’s supreme anti-corruption body. Basically, what we were told that, A corrupt appointed by another corrupt will investigate all other corrupts. And then we are being instructed to not to question the government as they are chosen by us. Do we really need to keep silence and let this loot happen? I will go with a NO.
CVC Thomas case was a brilliant example of judiciary keeping the government in check and a perfect instance of judicial activism. The series of landmark judgments by Supreme Court provided some hope to the nation. Judiciary was turning out to be the only place where some serious steps were being taken or some serious work was being done. But this was an alarm too. Judiciary taking the prime spot is not good for democracy. Judiciary slamming government again and again was a sign of weakness on the part of democratic government. Over involvement of judiciary to literally save India shows the falling standard and level of democracy and its ethics in the country. Has the democracy lost its supreme place in mind of people to judiciary? The answer must be no. But sadly and unfortunately, the reverse is true. And it is not only scary but alarming too. A people’s movement was need of the hour to show the strength of democracy. To bring democracy back from the claws of darkness. The “India against Corruption” movement actually fulfilled the very urgent requirement. Democracy actually scored a point over judiciary. A case where government took a baby step towards ending corruption without the scolding’s and pushes of Supreme Court. Finally a good sign for democracy happened.
My last point is simple and basic. Even if it takes undemocratic peaceful methods to save democracy, we must go for it. “satyagrahas” are the pre-independence era proven non-violent methods of protest. Corruption is another “Firangi” sucking the blood out of India. To drive out this corruption, any peaceful method must be not only welcomed but appreciated too. To save the respected and pious soul of democracy, this movement was very much required.
But the question still stands. Will the movement reach its destination or will loose its track in someway middle? The answer lies with the people of the country. The young and enthusiastic generation must fight for the country and weed out this corruption. Now it’s up to us if we want to convert the Undemocratic democracy to a strongest and charming one or not. The principle is clear: Its dangerous to right when the government is wrong, but its cowardice to be quite when the government is wrong.
