This Lokpal is a Joke – Pal!!

The descent from Democracy to Anarchy…

For days on end all I can hear everywhere I go, is how Anna Hazare and his Lokpal Bill are changing the face of the Indian political scenario; every News channel has a reporter stationed at the Tihar Jail or Ramlila Maidan screaming at the camera on the proceedings in a bid to outdo their nearest rival channel; every nukkad galli has a morcha in support of the man; and thousands gather in Delhi in what promises to be a ‘historic’ period.

The people who are coming out in droves to show their support behave like corruption is an event happening outside them. Rather than seeing corruption as a social problem that needs comprehensive social churning and cultural changes to fight against, those involved in the movement want everybody to believe that only politicians are corrupt. What they are blissfully ignoring is the fact that, whether we want to admit it or not, every person in this nation has is one way or another contributed to the corrupt fabric of the country!

To put it aptly, as one journalist says - “Indians have a deep and complicated relationship with corruption. As in any long marriage, it is not clear whether they are happily or unhappily married. The country’s economic system is fused with many strands of corruption and organized systems of tax evasion.”

Most Indians have paid a bribe - Infact, in an informal way, Indian society does grant legitimacy to the bribe-payer because “bribe-payer” IS a description that fits most of the country, including many of Mr. Hazare’s nicely dressed supporters.

Most Indian businesses cannot survive or remain competitive without stashing away undeclared earnings.

Almost everybody who has sold a house has taken one part of the payment in cash and evaded tax on it.

Bollywood film stars who from their gilted sanctuaries, loudly applaud Anna’s campaign in unambiguous support were the first to go into a mysterious silence back when Baba Ramdev went on a fast demanding that the government investigate “black money” hidden in foreign accounts. And why wouldn’t they??! That is the way the industry butters its bread after all.

Government workers like the state administrative staff, police force, educationists, public transport official etc. are acting like corruption is primarily endemic to the government and its institutions, when they are active players in the drama.

The youth who form a very large part of this movement’s momentum might attend rallies, hold candlelit vigils and chant slogans all across town. But the fact of the matter is that when it comes to admission in a particular college, if an IIT director or an engineering college dean will accept cash for seats, they will gladly cough up the asking price.

Whoever hasn't fallen prey to tipping off traffic policemen in a bid to get off scott free from getting their driving license suspended for errant driving or traffic violations??

What I fail to understand is how a class of well educated young Indians fail to apply their own intellect before jumping in head first to support whatever is the cause du jour! Has it become fashionable to be politically savvy? Or is everyone clamoring to be a social activist in their own right??

Whatever be the people’s motive, it seems that the only thing that the passing of the Lokpal Bill achieves is the undermining of the democratic structure in this country! Years of sweat, toil, blood and tears spent by our forefathers in winning us freedom will disintegrate into another anarchical free for all at the drop of a hat with all and sundry taking potshots at each other. With existing government agencies reporting in to the Lokpal committee only results in the Lokpal evolving into a parallel power vortex thereby making Parliament redundant. In other words, those whom you elected will not be of as much consequence as those self-appointed or government nominated Lokpal committee members. Who is to say that this won’t actually create more unaccountability and corruption??! Afterall, if money be the corrupting agent, these Lokpal committee members are as susceptible as the next person to fall prey to it.

So is this Bill curbing corruption or just giving it the giant octopus of corruption yet another tentacle by which to grow??!!

Welcome to 21st century India where people follow political leaders like fashion trends, the youth are more politically informed, bribe-takers are punished and bribe-payers live happily ever after!