Citizen’s Rights:

April 06/2011: Most of us in India would have heard about our Rights and Privileges and how they are being trampled upon by so many forces such as the Police, Municipalities, Electricity department and also by the sewage cleaner.

This kind of a language is usually seen associated with NGOs. That too, those working in the women’s sector seem keener on Rights. The usage of a capital letter for the word Rights is meant to differentiate between the right of ‘right and wrong’ as opposed to an inpidual’s self created notion of Rights which, in reality, means something nebulous that should compel Society at large to respect her or his whims and fancies and consider all idiosyncrasies as sacrosanct.

The incident of Sri Anna Hazare sitting on an indefinite hunger strike to demand for a law to stop corruption at high levels is a point to consider. Labelled as Citizens’ Rights, this movement of Hazare is supposedly to press for the Jan Lok Pal Bill, an enactment that has been in the cold storage for the past 42 years. It is said this law, if passed, will cover the acts of omission and commission of the Prime Minister and senior ministers.

All of us unfortunate people of India are fed up of being regaled with stories of corruption where we are unable to count the zeros and do not comprehend who pays and why and to whom. Whether the 2G and ISRO Spectrum issues of recent days or the Bofors of past years, all sound new and yet very familiar to our ears. When we delve into the details, the natural outcome seems very unnatural. Take for example the way the Bofors investigation was stopped. The investigating agency claimed that long years of ground work bore no fruit. That Ottavio Quattorochi, the main kingpin and a family friend of the Gandhis, could not be extradited. Keeping these facts in mind it was decided to wind up the whole investigation as there was nothing to be gained by digging deeper. Also that the expenses incurred for investigating this matter for such a long period has actually over ridden the total amount allegedly involved in the fraud. All this sounds good. Presumably because we are heartened that someone is considering the mute case of the average tax payer whose hard earned money is not being misutilized by the inefficient officers and staff of the investigating agency in flying abroad and living in plush hotels just doing nothing.

This is but just one example. From Bofors to Aarushi, case after case is being dropped by the premier investigating bureau entrusted with anti graft operations in the country. Under this bright light of realization, let us peer at Anna Hazare’s fast unto death or whatever. He is known as a man of unblemished character. His activities have drawn support from many a person who is incapable of replicating those acts. Yet, all past reputation of Hazare left behind, why his fast at this point of time is something that all of us Indian have to sit back and ponder over. We are all aware of the situation and support Hazare. However, we must also recognize the fact that not much of a ‘system’ exists in our country. The little indications of a system that does exist is under tremendous pressure right now. Whether it is Ratan Tata, Anil or Mukesh Ambanis, Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi, Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Reddy brothers of Karnataka, Kanimozhi and Stalin—all and everyone wants to circumvent the system and get going on their paths of self aggrandisement. Everything is being twisted and turned and there is not a small  squeak audible within this horrible grinding noise. In this back drop steps in Anna Hazare with all good intentions but making it look as if a hunger strike by an inpidual for an unlimited time span should be able to transform the character of the average Indian government officer, politician, business leader or fly-by-night operator. As if compelling the system to take cognizance and change its methods will actually change our scenario.

No one should hoodwink themselves or the nation. Speaking clearly may sound harsh but reality check will tell us that what Anna Hazare is trying is to thwart or circumvent the system, albeit in a different manner. When corruption is so high in the Indian’s mind now, does Hazare not think his act might be suspected of populism at this point of time ? This fast could turn out to mean that an inpidual, no matter how high or low, can manage to wrench out acts and laws which she/he thinks are beneficial, from a government that should ideally represent the system and protect its feeble workings. In a country like India where we are all preoccupied with corruption, let us not fool ourselves that it happens only at the high level. No givers will certainly mean no takers. For instance, if no one paid donations at the Jagannath temple of Puri, the Pandas and Daitapatis and all the hoodlums there inside the temple would eventually turn meek and stop bullying the devotees.

We have to look into ourselves. We are a nation that complains of corruption primarily when we ourselves are not in a position to get the benefit. Anyone ever heard Mukesh Ambani, Manmohan, Sonia, Sushma Swaraj, Ratan Tata, the present Cabinet Secretary or any Chief Minister complaining about corruption ? Has any NGO put up its internal accounts for public access on the web ? This means, we all adore corruption and would love to be a major beneficiary. Admire our children or envy our neighbour or relative who manages to get that extra goody which is way beyond her or his abilities to get. In short, intrinsically, we are a corrupt and depraved flock of people.

Anna Hazare is no exception. By trying to get a law enacted, he must be aware that it will make no difference. All that he must be trying is to get on to the main stage and get some attention. And yes, we are also a nation that suffers from acute ‘Attention deficiency disorder’.