It’s been in the print and electronic media headlines for months now. People have gone on hunger strikes and support rallies all over the country. Groups are being formed, events are being organized to bring about awareness on the issue and these events are being notified of on social networking websites. The Government’s resistance is rigid and yet the supporters of the cause are marching on. It is one of the most massive mobilizations of our time. The fight against corruption. The drafting and enforcing of the Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizens’ Ombudsman Bill). I need not go into the specifics of the Bill because the purpose of this quick post is not awareness but reflection.
As a condition for passing the Jan Lokpal Bill, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s Government has demanded that the supporters and advocates of the Bill show the support of at least 25 Crore citizens towards it. 250 million people. A smart move. The people who are trying to thwart the passing of the Bill know the Democracy called India in and out. They are aware that the Bill has many supporters but they also know that the figure of 250 million is too far-fetched to achieve. One might wonder, why is it difficult to pull together 250 million people to support a cause in a country with a total population of 1.21 billion? Well, 1.21 billion is indeed the total population of the country but the number of people who really care about what’s going on in the country is relatively miniscule. A large chunk of our population is too busy following Cricket World Cup, or dreaming about going to the US and earning in dollars, or struggling to earn two decent meals a day that it doesn’t really want to get involved in matters like bringing public offices under the careful watch of an anti-corruption authority, and for that matter, even electing a ruling party. My Dad used to hate people who didn’t go to the polling booth on the Election Day for casting their vote. In his frustration, he used to say that our democracy has fallen into wrong hands. Today I believe him. There are some of us who care about our country and do whatever we can to participate in the political and social goings-on. Some of us travel to natural calamity-hit areas and participate in helping the affected masses. Some of us who cannot go and physically help the victims, send medical kits, preserved food and money to them even if it means sharply budgeting the month’s expenses. I had donated all of my year’s savings to the Tsunami Relief Fund when in school. That meant no party for me on my 16th birthday, but I cared more about the people who really needed that money. Caring means a lot. If by declaring my support for the Bill I can change the way the system of our country works, then I shall. If my little gesture can prevent a corrupt public servant from squeezing out whatever little dough a pensioner is left with to release his month’s pension, or forcing a primary school teacher to borrow money for tipping him off for signing the transfer order, or not leaving a student of limited means a choice but to sell off the last plate of brass left in his house for giving “Kharcha-Paani” so the authorities would issue him a domicile certificate, then I hereby officially declare my support for the Jan Lokpal Bill.
(Image Courtesy: mychoicedelhi.blogspot.com)
Some people say, “I am not against this movement, but I don’t care either. It would be interesting to see if this Bill can make any difference after it’s passed, but I really don’t care enough to register my support.” And these are the people who are the greatest strength of those people in public offices and the Cabinet who don’t want this Bill passed. They can count on this chunk of our population that doesn’t care enough to never let the number of supporters reach the figure of 250 million. I can’t say that I don’t care about these people who have taken our democracy for granted, because I do care. I pity them for they do not understand the power they have in their hands. They have the power to change the face and fate of the country and in turn their own fate. All they need to do is act. A little act would do, too. Like, picking up their phone and dialing tollfree 02261550789 to register their support for the Bill or logging on to www.indiaagainstcorruption.org .
We need to learn how to care. Caring is what makes a difference.
While I admire the spirit in which the above post has been written and its subsequent call for action. I would also like you and your readers to consider the following counter views against the implementation on the Jan Lokpal Bill -
ReplyDeletehttp://kafila.org/2011/04/09/at-the-risk-of-heresy-why-i-am-not-celebrating-with-anna-hazare/