Anna Hazare Ends 97-Hour Fast
Posted: Saturday, April 09, 2011
by Drunken Mystic
http://drunkenmystic.wordpress.com
Anna Hazare finally ended his 97-hour fast after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi accepted most of the terms of the Lokpal Bill. The best part is, they agreed to give independent powers for the Lokpal and Lokayukta to function without any political interference. Thousands of citizens along with Mr. Anna have ended their fast and everybody is celebrating the victory of a ‘significant’ revolution towards combating corruption.
Even a 75-year old grandmother came forward and stamped her feet for the cause as I was sitting and watching every single minute of this 97-hour drama. Corruption has got on with everybody. Even a retired man, when he receives his monthly pension, the postman extorts him for monthly commission. Out of fear that the postman may not deliver his money on time, the senior citizen feels obliged to pay him the ransom.
Every nook and corner of this country, we have to pay a bribe. It is the law at the ‘TirupathiTemple’ that when Non-Resident Indians and foreigners visit the temple, they can directly approach the special counter for direct entry and avail passes for a special amount. In spite of that, the security man – whose duty is to guide them, takes them all along to a corner and asks for a bribe. I was extorted similarly for a certain amount. I was confused of their uniform as I couldn’t discriminate between policemen and private security. If you don’t oblige with a police, then they ruin your peace of mind and you have to offer whatever they ask.
This has been the stress factor for every Indian, and Anna Hazare has forced every single citizen regardless of religion, caste, creed or sect to walk out of their homes and fight for cause. This has been one of the most peaceful revolutions towards corruption. India has always been a country which has been an example for “slow change”. Mahatma Gandhi led us through non-violence and people mocked his theory. They said he was unrealistic. Yes, it was unrealistic to “kill” every single British officer, soldier and policemen to fight for freedom. But it was realistic to break the spine of the mighty empire through patience and passive resistance.
The government finally realised that if people can vote them to “power” they can dethrone them as well. They had no choice but to give in to the demands and thanks to Anna Hazare, Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal and Swami Agnivesh and many others who stoody by them through this process. They have been the real force behind uniting this nation and gave us the courage to come forward and raise our voice in union. The national integrity of the nation was at its best for a cause which will not be biased for the “rich and powerful” but listen to the grievances of the farmer, the middle-class and also the “rickshaw-puller” in Kolkata. It is a victory for the common man who gives 'power' to Democracy.
Certainly, the road is long and the fight has to continue. We cannot afford to slack only because the bill will be passed by the monsoon session, but every Indian has to continue to resist giving bribe and the one who asks for it, must be shown the stick. Can we stand up for it? Only time will say how strong can we become to allow honesty to rule at its best?
The true faces behind this peaceful protest. Clockwise - Sri Sri Ravishankar, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, Social Activist - Arvind Kejriwal, Former IPS Officer - Kiran Bedi and Anna Hazare in the centre.
Photo courtesy: 'India Against Corruption'
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