Is Social Activist Anna Hazare's fast for an inclusive dialogue on the proposed Lok Pal bill and the support it has received from the urban educated professionals, the first sign of civil society shedding its passivity?
I wish it were. For long, we, the civil society, has been a passive witness to our country being taken to the cleaners by the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats who are a law unto themselves, and have become more brazen as the years advanced. They are accountable to none and with judiciary taking ages to come out with a verdict, these scums have got away with it time and again.
The attitude of the civil society was muted at best. Though there were animated discussions in the drawing rooms, none came forward to take on the responsibility of airing it in public or taking direct action. In fact, most of the educated did not even bother to excercise their franchise. This 'Let someone else bell the cat, not me' syndrome has taken our country to the brink of anarchy.
We need to see how the movement of Anna Hazare pans out. It is bound to fail if it were confined to the metros and the educated professionals. There is a need to include the simple common rural folk too. If that happens, then this could be the change that India so badly needs.
Jayaprakash Narayan led a movement against the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in mid 70s.With the political leaders across the parties failing us splendidly over the past decade, it is high time someone from the civil society led us from the front.
But will this fast lead to a better, cleaner, transparent India? Is this the tip of an iceberg? or will this fizzle out? Only time will tell.
But I wish, really wish, this fast is the harbinger of better things to come.
