Anna Hazare's fight against corruption: Battle won, war on!


(Anna Hazare)
Why is it that no one goes to jail in our country despite indulging in corruption? This is because we have completely rotten anti-corruption laws and anti-corruption agencies that it is almost impossible for the corrupt to be penalized.
The instant of victory came on Saturday at 10.30am. Having humbled a government and captured the imagination of a nation, the frail 73-year-old broke his fast by first offering sips of water to women who had fasted with him. Anna Hazare then had a glass of juice.
The Gandhian leader's marathon ended on the fifth morning of his protest with a large crowd of supporters breaking into loud cheers even as hundreds more poured in at Jantar Mantar, ground zero of the campaign to ensure civil society's participation in drafting the Lokpal Bill.
Hazare held aloft a copy of the official notification constituting a joint committee and said "In this fight against corruption, India has won, not Anna. You have shown we are united. But the fight must continue." He warned he will be back if the law to combat corruption in public life is not passed by August 15.
That lies is in the future. Last Saturday morning firecrackers went off and people smeared gulaal on one another, a celebration that will freeze frame a historical moment.
"I will not let this public movement die down. If the government does not pass the bill in Lok Sabha in the monsoon session, I will carry the national flag on my shoulders to protest once again," he said. "Next on my agenda is working for the right to recall," Hazare added.
Hazare pointed out the pitfalls. "I know that there will be further impediments in the implementation of this new bill, which will ensure action against corrupt politicians and bureaucrats and bring in accountability"
His question "Will you support me?" had the crowd roaring in affirmation. "Anna tum sangharsh karo, hum tumhare saath hain," they yelled.
The warning is well taken. It is a declaration of intent as Hazare and thousands who turned out in his support in several cities will know that their struggle for an effective anti-corruption ombudsman might be just beginning. Hard negotiation and parliamentary approval lie ahead.
There are larger implications of the four-day revolution. The swiftness with which the official Goliath succumbed to Hazare's simple but powerful message changed some rules the political class feels are immutable. Arrogance of power met an irresistible force.
Lokpal Bill has been introduced eight times in Parliament since 1968. All the eight versions have been very weak. Even these weak versions have not been passed so far because Lokpal Bill seeks to investigate politicians. The latest draft of Lokpal Bill prepared by the present UPA government is a complete eyewash. Rather than strengthen anti-corruption systems, it demolishes whatever exists in the name of anti-corruption systems today. It seeks to completely insulate politicians from any kind of action against them.




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