The excessive and unwarranted media attention given to Anna Hazare and his whole fast unto death protest saga has transformed him into a national celebrity almost instantaneously. Now Anna, a school dropout, is being compared to Gandhi, one of the most educated men of his time and his fast unto death protest, which some would say is tantamount to blackmail against a democratically elected government, being hailed as India's second freedom struggle.
Do the supposed representatives of the youth of this country, the likes of Chetan Bhagat, who have come out openly in support of Anna and his movement and made the above comparisons, really represent the youth or reflect the true mood amongst the people of the country?
What is the understanding of the polity of India of these people, who appear at candlelight vigils carrying posters saying “Mera neta chor hai”, refuse to exercise their right to vote because they see nobody worthy of their vote and laugh at the idea of becoming a part of the political system, saying they have lost faith in the system? What is their idea of an acceptable political system? What is their vision to bring about that change?
Unfortunately the answers to these questions are not very clear. Similarly, in the loudness and self righteousness surrounding the endorsement of Anna’s version of the Lokpal, it seems the actual contents of the bill and the serious questions they raise are lost.
I, for one, am deeply uncomfortable with the idea that the Lokpal, set to become one of the most powerful institutions in India, combining in itself the powers of making law, implementing the law, and punishing those who break the law, will consist of a “few good men” who have no accountability to anyone.
Clearly, there needs to be more debate and a more inclusive one at that, about such questions. Let us not forget, in our hurry and desire to bring change, about what that change is, how its being brought about and its implications.
