I went there today out of curiosity. Anna Hazare has been on a fast unto death for the last 56 hours (Gosh! I find missing a meal such a big deal!) spearheading a movement for curbing corruption in an effective manner. The 72 years old civil rights activist from Maharashtra is a former army man who has espoused several popular causes in his home State, chief among which has been enactment of RIT or The Right to Information Act. As the official Lok Pal (Ombudsman) Bill gathers dust after repetitive failures in Rajya Sabha, Hazare has raised the demand for a joint committee of govt. representatives and civil activists to be notified immediately so that the corrupt, at all levels of hierarchy, may be jailed and the money looted by them recovered from them expeditiously under a Jan Lok Pal Act. To get it realized, he decided to go on a fast unto death in the heart of the capital. Coming in the wake of several scams (CWG & 2G being the latest), his move is reminiscent of Gandhi’s in the face of a foreign power. It struck an instant chord with people sick of corruption prevailing in every walk of public life, which saw an outpouring of crowds along with renowned figures from diverse fields. Kiran Bedi, former IPS officer rubbed shoulders with Anupam Kher, Shabana Azmi & Amir Khan from Bollywood. Anna Hazare is being assisted by civil activists Kejriwal & Swami Agnivesh who are interacting with govt. emissaries to achieve a consensus. The govt., unnerved in the midst of State elections, has largely been positive and accommodating since it would not like to be seen as shielding the corrupt. However, Hazare’s team is careful not to be taken for a ride and is demanding credible steps so that the govt. is unable to backtrack at any stage later.
The scene at Jantar Mantar was quite electric and euphoric. With dozens of OB Vans telecasting the scene live, tricolours fluttered as groups of young men and women tried to catch a glimpse of the fasting leader on a make-shift stage while scores of sympathisers lay on either side. Across the road, people were lighting candles at the foot of a tree while the kiosks briskly sold refreshments to the hungry. Anchors you see on news channels every day were scampering for key positions or building impromptu platforms for live interviews. The media presence was just too heavy to be ignored. Anna Hazare himself may not have anticipated such an enthusiastic response as young & old outpoured their emotions uncontrollably by raising slogans, displaying placards & demanding a clean society. It showed how strongly the common man feels scourged by the cancer of corruption. I tried to reach the stage but the crowd was just too large to enable me to get anywhere near. Making my way through a battery of photographers, I ran into a row of visually impaired children who were on their way out. I stood frozen! Isn’t it ironical that those blessed with sight become so cynical while those without it nurture a vision-the vision of a free & fair India?
The news has just come in that Anna Hazare’s demands have been met and he shall break his fast tomorrow. Long live, India!
