Anna Hazare, Anshan, Anti corruption in India and Jan Lokpal bill

Anna Hazare and his team has become an icon for anti corruption movements in India. Anna is fighting with his non-violent weapon of Anshan (Fast) to bring Jan Lokpal bill. Anna and his team are fighting tooth and nail for the bill. Team Anna Hazare and people in India at large believe that Jan Lokpal bill will help removing corruption from India.

Several governments proposed Lokpal bill in the parliament of India. However, it was never passed. The present UPA government promised Lokpal bill to remove corruption in India. They tried to bring the bill. Anna Hazare had a close eye on the drafting of the bill and protested against the drafting. The government bill was not strong enough according to Anna. He started Anshan against the Lokpal bill draft of the government. He constituted “Civil Society” to fight against the bill draft.

The civil society drafted a Lokpal bill parallel to the government one. They named it Jan Lokpal bill, Lokpal bill from the people. Eminent personalities likes of Shantibhushan, Prashant Bhushan, Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Manish Sisodia et al are included in the Civil society.

Congress led UPA government were agreed to establish a joint committee incorporating members of Civil Society after a long movement. However, the UPA government denied the suggestions of the Civil society and proposed Lokpal bill arbitrarily. Anna Hazare was unhappy with the behavior of UPA government and declared Anshan (Fast) against the Lokpal bill drafted by the UPA government.

The government could not evaluate people’s support behind him and denied to permit his Anshan. Anna was arrested by Delhi police while moving to Anshan ground. Anna started Anshan in the Tihar jail and thousands of his supporters gathered outside the jail. Government soon understand the mistake and ordered his release.

In an unprecedented move Hazare astonished the administration. He denied to go out of the Tihar jail till government permitted him for his Anshan at Ramlila ground in Delhi. Thousands of his supporters also denied moving out of JP Park following their leader. It was a horrible situation for the police, government and administration. Finally, cabinet of ministers decided to permit him for his Anshan (Fast) at Ramlila ground. Hundred thousands of Anna supporters came out and gathered with him. Jan Lokpal bill movement spread over the whole country. Common people, male and female, youth and old came out from villages, towns and cities. Roads and parks were flooded with common people from India in support of Anna Hazare, his Anshan, Jan Lokpal bill and anti corruption movement. Anna continued his Anshan for twelve long days. Local media covered every single step of Hazare and his movement. Gradually, Anna became the “Hero” in international media. International print and electronic media pointed him as Gandhi of modern era.

Anti corruption movement in support of Janlokpal bill remain completely non violent. No violence was reported during Anshan of Anna Hazare. People compelled their MPs and MLAs to support Jan Lokpal bill. Congress led UPA government understood their blonder. They have completely mishandled Hazare movement. The government then took U-turn and send Bilas Rao Deshmukh, Maharshtra Chief minister, to negotiate with Anna Hazare. Finally, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India wrote a letter. The Prime Minister promised that three of his major demands would be included in the Lokpal bill and the government would pass the bill in the winter session of Indian parliament. Members of Indian parliament passed a resolution. They were agreed principally to include and incorporate his major demands in the coming Lokpal bill. Anna broke his Anshan after receiving the letter from the Prime Minister of India promising a strong Lokpal bill. Anna Hazare declared that this was a half win.

Anti corruption movement in support of Jan Lokpal bill was suspended for few months. However, government started harassing and charging team Anna with several false or petty allegations. They used government machinery to defame team Anna. Congress party leaders even alleged Anna Hazare with several false allegations. All these fade up Anna and his team rose a campaign against Congress party in a by pole. Congress candidate lost the election badly. He could not even retain his earnest money.

Team Anna declared that they would campaign against political parties not supporting Jan Lokpal bill, in the coming assembly elections in five states including UP. Several political parties including main opposition BJP supported Jan Lokpal bill by and large with few dissents.

Government committee again drafted a new Lokpal bill similar to old one and sent it to the standing committee of the parliament. Most of the provisions of Jan Lokpal bill were not included and incorporated in the proposed Lokpal bill sent to the standing committee of the Indian parliament. Representatives of several political parties including BJP and CPI(M) opposed the proposed draft and sent dissent notes. However, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Congress party leader and Chairman, standing committee approved the bill. Team Anna Hazare and opposition parties demanded major changes in the bill. Cabinet of ministers met to discuss the Lokpal bill but did not make major changes. All these annoyed team Anna and he declared his Anshan from December 27, 2011.

Anna Hazare will sit for Anshan from tomorrow in Mumbai, financial capital of India with his team members Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi. Shantibhushan and Prashant Bhushan will sit for Anshan in Delhi, capital of India, in support of Jan Lokpal bill.

Prolonged session of parliament will discuss Lokpal bill during December 27, 28 and 29. There is a fragmented opinion among the political parties regarding the Lokpal bill. The political drama in India has reached its climax.

We have to wait for the result to come. Let us hope better. We, the people of India, are wishing a strong Lokpal bill to fight corruption. Only a corruption free India can lead the world in economic and other fronts.

Anna is a veteran Gandhian leader, philanthropist and social server. He started several movements in India and especially in his native state Maharashtra. The most famous movement was for RTI, Right to Information. Central government of India along with most of the states was compelled to pass RTI bill after his movement. RTI act has become a great tool to fight corruption in governments.

He started his career in Indian army in 1964 and grabbed gallantry awards during his service. He was inspired by Swami Vivekananda. He took vow to remain as a bachelor.

Anna Hazare is also a symbol of social reform and rural development in India. He reformed social life of Ralegan Siddhi, his native village. Ralegan Siddhi has been converted into an ideal village. Anna Hazare inspired hundreds of villages to convert into ideal ones.

Congress led UPA government proposed Lokpal bill in the Loksabha, lower house of the Indian parliament on December 27, 2011. The government proposed the bill as it is approved by the cabinet of ministers despite request of changes.

Anna Hazare sat on Anshan (Fast) at MMRDA ground in Mumbai with his team members to support Jan Lokpal bill. Thousands of his supporters were present day and night in the ground. However, Anna was seriously ill suffering from congestion, lung infection and fever. Medical team advised him to break his fast.

Opposition parties and some of the allies and supporters of UPA government proposed large numbers of amendment in the Lokpal bill. All of the amendments were turned down and the government itself brought three amendments. They were able to pass Lokpal bill along with government led amendments in the Loksabha. Main oppsition parties BJP and CPI(M) opposed the bill. SP and BSP walked out from the Loksabha at the time of voting.

Rahul Gandhi, general secretary of Congress wanted constitutional status for Lokpal. Government proposed a constitutional amendment. However, constitutional amendment proposal could not be passed. BJP and CPI(M) again opposed it and it was turned down.