DISCLAIMER: The following are MY viewpoints. I don’t give a shit if you agree with them or not. This is me exercising my right to write. If you don’t like what you read, I suggest you turn away.
It all started with a great step by one old man. A fast unto death. A mass following across the country. The government and all politicians forced into drafting a bill. And then, he committed his first mistake – calling it the “second struggle for independence.” He had planted a seed in the minds of millions. Most of us grew up studying about our freedom fighters. Events like Dandi march, and Civil disobedience movement. Gandhi, Bhagat Singh and the likes. I understand that Anna is trying to do something big here, but to compare it with our Freedom Struggle is grossly unfair. Also, remember, you are citizen of India. A free India. Value and respect the existing laws first. You want to fast, please, go ahead. But don’t bloody disturb the peace of the nation by wanting to do it in a public place, disrupting traffic and hampering the lives of the common people. Just imagine, thousands of agitated people on the road screaming slogans. If you are an Indian, I’m sure you have seen the mechanism of mob mentality. Of the thousands, there will be at least one dumbass who’s there not because he really believes in Anna’s vision, but because he doesn’t have anything better to do. And if this one dumbass decided to pick up one stone and hurl it at a cop, in a matter of minutes, you have a mass riot. And irrespective of the respect and following Anna has, he will not be able to control it.
First of all, fasting is a great tool and is a very difficult feat. I understand that. But you can’t threaten to stop eating at the drop of a scoin. Some politicians started pointing fingers at Anna, and he goes “Set up an enquiry. I will not eat till I’m proven innocent.” What the hell is that? Soon he’s going to go “I’ll stop eating till there’s world peace”, and the entire world’s going to embrace each other immediately? It was a cheap shot at him, and he didn’t have to dignify it with a response. He just downgraded the value of a fast.
There is also a large group of people who go on and on that this government is not good. That it’s the worst government ever. I don’t want to debate on that topic because that is left to free interpretation of each individual, and I don’t seek to influence anyone. But let me ask you this – Had the BJP been in power, you think this story would have unfolded differently? True, there have been a string of corruption related issues in the recent past under the UPA government. But does that make the BJP the white dove of all parties? I mean, we are talking about the same BJP, where the center has to bend down to the tainted CM (read Yeddy) who managed to erect a puppy in his place before stepping down. The same BJP who failed to do anything about the brutal pub attacks in Mangalore and Bangalore. Congress got caught. BJP didn’t. I have absolutely no trust in either.
First of all, fasting is a great tool and is a very difficult feat. I understand that. But you can’t threaten to stop eating at the drop of a scoin. Some politicians started pointing fingers at Anna, and he goes “Set up an enquiry. I will not eat till I’m proven innocent.” What the hell is that? Soon he’s going to go “I’ll stop eating till there’s world peace”, and the entire world’s going to embrace each other immediately? It was a cheap shot at him, and he didn’t have to dignify it with a response. He just downgraded the value of a fast.
Anna was arrested on 16th August. I don’t want to debate if it was right or wrong. He was released later. And what did he do? He refused to come out. That’s just bull shit. The jail is not your home. When you are arrested, you are SENT to the jail. When you are released, you LEAVE the jail. I have done no research on the legalities of this, but I hope I’m right. If not, our beloved Anna has just shown a fantastic way to safely retire in this country. (Throw a stone at a glass window and then chill in the jail even if you have been released)
There might be political reasons for declining “ India Against Corruption”’s request to hold the protest at Jai Prakash Narayan Park, but did anyone realize the possibility of a terror act at the place? I don’t know the exact restrictions posed by the Delhi Police, but I read that they had imposed restrictions on the number of people and the duration(3 days instead of one month). Well, I’d say, better safe than sorry.
Let me make it very clear here, I’m not for or against any side here. No, let me correct that. I’m all in support for Anna Hazare’s cause. I personally feel that it takes great courage and determination to do what Anna is doing. But, I don’t like the way he’s choosing to go about it now. I feel Anna’s camp is slowly losing the plot. After all, if you want to make one law, you can’t go about it by breaking other laws. I really do hope that Anna is satisfied with the result at the end of all this, but I pray that our country doesn't suffer more at the hands of our new age Gandhi.
Anna, Saakanna!
Jai Hind.
