Anna 3.0: Significance

I wrote in my previous blog (Anna 3.0) – “The battle lines are drawn already. It is not going to be Civil Society vs Politicians. But it will be Gandhi vs Gandhi!” Its turning true…

Anna 2.0 - Civil Society Vs Parliament

During the Anna 2.0, the civil society was seen as divided. The Aruna Group aligned with the Govt. The ‘Team Anna’ was divided with Swami Agnivesh and some other members leaving the show. On the opposite, the political class came together in the Parliament to pass the ‘Sense of House’. So it was like Divided Civil Society Vs United Parliament. The truce was declared with the Standing committee to finalize the draft taking inputs from all including Team Anna. The intellectuals, academicians off-lately corrected themselves to find merits in this anti-corruption movement. Everybody, who became Anna for sometime during the agitation, delighted to have participation in such movement. The stage was all set to Strong Lokpal.

The euphoric mood changed as winter chilled Delhi. The Congress after a short ceasefire on this front, again started to play dirty politics. The Kirti Azad, a BJP MP and member of Standing Committee, openly blamed Congress for taking complete u-turn on the issue of inclusion of PM, Lower bureaucracy. The strongest evidence is the ‘dissent note’ on one of the issue was given by 17 members against 11 members. How democratic! “I feel humiliated and insulted” remarked Azad, who was among 17 dissenters.

The final draft doesn't include the lower bureaucracy, keep CBI outside Lokpal, want Parliament to decide on PM.  Team Anna rejected the total draft. Anna Hazare accused Rahul Gandhi and Congress for subverting entire Lokpal proposals. He sat on day long fast, Played a ‘Tendulkar’ shot by inviting politician on the platform to debate. The oppositions attended the debate, with Congress led UPA ignored it.

8 opposition parties BJP (115), SP (22), JD(U) (20), CPM (16), BJD (14), TDP (6), CPI (4) and Akali Dal (4) shared the platform with Hazare. They add up to 201 MPs in Loksabha, well below magic figure. But this move will surely put Congress on tight spot. Media’s prime time debate topic was ‘Did Congress make a mistake by not attending the debate?’ Indeed it was. The conflict line is shifted, pushing Congress to the corner. It is now Civil Society + Opposition Vs Congress. Now the Parliament will be divided.

Anna 3.0 - Civil Society + Opposition

There are strong parallels to be drawn between current situation and the pre-emergency politics. JP was Anna then, Opposition joined the hands with JP! The Congress responded with mid-night murder of Democracy, declaring the emergency. Rest is history. But the difference here will be response. With all its egos and arrogance as it is, it has lost that Indira Power! God save the Congress now…   

Anna 3.0

One of the first pics of Jantar Mantar! Anna reaches Jantar Mantar! Dec 11, 2011.

Anna Hazare is back to the Capital to step the pressure on UPA for Lokpal. This time in chilled winter. The 1.0 was in hot summer, the 2.0 was during monsoon and it was long and unpredictable for UPA forecasters. The 2.0 created havoc by ‘flooding’ the streets of entire country. The Govt has to budge and accepted the ‘sense of people’. The Govt's heart hasn’t been transformed due to non-violent movement. But it was because of hard realities of losing the votes of the ‘Great Indian Middle Class’! 

The Anna 3.0 is shortly going to start his day long fast at Jantar Mantar. The battle lines are drawn already. It is not going to be Civil Society vs Politicians. But it will be Gandhi vs Gandhi! 

The Gandhian Anna Hazare supported by common man on streets, non-congress political parties on one side. The ‘other Gandhis’ would be Sonia and charming prince Rahul baba. “Rahul Gandhi is behind this. Who else it could be?”, Hazare cleared it while blaming the fractured Lokpal draft submitted by standing committee.

For Anna and Annas, there is going to battle again. They have already proved their power. The means are questioned, the ends are questioned but Annas haven’t been displaced a bit. They marched inch by inch exposing UPA's unwill to act against corruption. Message becomes louder and clear – Bring Strong Lokpal! This time the IAC has widened their net. In bid to garner political support, they invited the political parties including Congress for the open debate. The oppositions BJP, Communist, JDU and BJD are attending the debate. The Congress refused to attend.

To answer the statesmanship of Anna, Congress has nothing. They have tried the Rahul card but India has moved beyond Rajiv’s India. There will be no more personality cults, no more sympathy for the first family.  So Rahul remains unattractive, not even among aspiring brides! The Congress is now trying to enhance support base in parliament, called all-Party meeting on Wednesday. PM has called it, so one can guess 'indecisive' outcome.

Hope Congress will get it right and move beyond the ‘high command’.       

Chinese Sibal...

Kapil Sibal wants internet to be gagged. He met the executives of Facebook, Microsoft and Yahoo some weeks back. In the meeting he insisted the social networking executives to delete the offensive contents before posting on such public platform. The definition of offensive is Sibalian! What is then the Sibalian? Simple to guess! New York Times reported that Sibal showed attendees a Facebook page that maligned Congress President Sonia Gandhi, terming it as “unacceptable’! How loyal!!

More than this there may be personal revenge. He is on the negative list of ‘e-Annas’, who left no public space for Sibal. From social networking sites to IITs, he has been ‘blackened’! He did enjoy the support of these netizens before the anti-corruption movement. But the Tharoorian syndrome catches him fast. He went on with his twit-twit! Being a lawyer by profession, he thought as if arguing in front of Judge. But this was public court, the mob court. He soon found himself at the accused’s place. Sibal like, tried to justify the treatment given to Anna Hazare with 'very decent' words. However, the Indians were furious to see such simple, soft spoken, dhoti lad ‘Grandfather’ being treated in such 'decent' way. Sibal’s stars started realligning. Once shining, Sibbal now turned upside down. He became target of public ante with others like Chidambaram, Tiwary.

So the move to take revenge is somewhat anticipated. But his 'head down position' may not have changed much, as he is ridiculously thinking cheaply. Gaging on Social media! This will be futile attempt. The idea itself is so unrealistic and unfeasible, leave apart its execution. The opposition is quick as expected. The netizens are, in their own style, taking on Sibbal. Some comments –

“Who is Mr Sibal to decide what is appropriate for public consumption. Are we going Pakistan way to ban facebook. This is height of arrogance. Nobody can criticise me or my bosses. For a change do something positive Mr Sibal. Then you or your bosses need not have censor anybody.”

“Welcome to new democracy!!!!! or is it demoCRAZYYYYYY. First sign of failure of a government is to curtail freedom of speech :) Good work Mr. Sibal.”

“India competing China on censorship at last having failed on other fronts.”

But there are people who knows the wrong things on social media -

“Every time I have noticed vulger comments by my FB friends, I have commented. I would rather prefer such social intervention than censorship. A community ethics should be developed by free thinking community. If the spirit is right, the community knows how to regulate itself.”

The congress and its leaders are competing for making self-goals. Sibal like persons are adding to their trouble. Waiting for Diggi to declare “RSS hand in Social Networking!”

"Our" Islamist - Brahma Chelleney

The article link

http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/chellaney21/English

My Comments - Great point Sir! The US policies in Middle East is paying back now with dividend. The US, rather than correcting its mistakes, is still vandalizing the domestic politics of these countries. The petrodollars are the major source of funds for the terrorist organisations, the terrorist training center and the terrorist socialization centers like madrases. The growing Arab influence is undermining the local Islamic cultures in other countries. The replacement of Urdu by Arabic in India is good case in point.

The response to such growing extremist by nation-state is also problematic. Rather than understanding basic cause and de-linking this Arabic support, National govt responds in short sighted ways. Some responds by going to other extreme ends by stereotyping whole of the Muslim communities. Others, trying appeasement politics. India is case of second response. I never understand why the Indian Muslim population becomes important factor in foreign policy formulation when it comes to Pakistan or West Asia. Is the National Interest differs for them?

The Egyptian military's fateful choice : Fareed Zakaria

Fareed Zakaria - The Egyptian military has been trying to carve out a special role for itself, which in effect places it above the law and above the democratic process in Egypt.

This is a terrible idea. It is essentially subverting the Egyptian revolution. Civilian control of the military is one of the hallmarks of democracy.

Egypt has two choices moving forward. It can go down the path of Turkey, where the military’s privileged position has been reduced and placed under constitutional constraints and democratic, civilian government. Or Egypt can follow Pakistan, where the military exists as a law unto itself controlling vast swathes of the economy.

It is pretty clear which is a healthier society. Turkey is a booming, democratic country that has become one of the great growth stories of the world. Pakistan is a completely dysfunctional basket case that survives only because it gets aid from the United States (and that aid is largely given for fear for what would happen if Pakistan collapsed).

Ultimately, the Egyptian military needs to understand that the cost of trying to hold on to all its perks is that Egypt will become a deformed, malfunctioning democracy. That’s a steep price to pay.

http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/22/zakaria-the-egyptian-militarys-fateful-choice/

My Comments - Good Read Fareed! But I am still confused with so called Arab Spring for Democracy! My ground knowledge may be limited. But how can one explain the growing ascendance of Muslim Brotherhood or Salafist? These people, by any means, can't be called as DEMOCRATIC.

India is classic guide for these countries to follow. It is great experiment in Democratic history, but didn't let westerners to define its secularism! So dear Egyptians, you are proud country, don't get lure by West or Al-Qaeda . Listen to you heart, and make Egypt proud again!

But I am More puzzled about the reactions here on your comments about Pakistan! Let apart the Aid proportion and Pak Army's intention, just look it at neutrally. Just analyze it on the basis of four basic component of State - Populations, Sovereignty, Government and Territory. Do Pakistan have all of them. I am of the firm opinion that Pakistan is failed state. The current 'Memogate' scandal is classic case - The President asking US to save him from his Military!

Anna's master-stroke

The politics in recent months is presenting very incredible game. The Congress choosing a bad bowler to ball, then dropping catches, missing ball to boundary, giving extras with no and wide deliveries. Anna, Sachin-Sehwag combine of the game, hitting stroke over stroke. It seems, he is teaching Congress about how not to take granted everything once Gandhis on your side! His recent appeal to Hissar people to not to vote for congress, is master-stroke! 
The Congress always wanted to hold its views to be center of any debate. Anything opposite, is usually being condemned as anti-India, anti-Secular! Anna, by openly opposing the Congress in election without actually taking part in election, is widening and deepening our polity. Here, he is not choosing his candidate or supporting any other party. He just wanted to declare - Don't take us granted till winter session! By not taking direct part in election and still campaigning for a cause is in itself master-stroke. It is also a reminder for our politician and parties that politics is not about them and election. It is also about people participation. The participation, that goes beyond mere vote, but widening the debate, setting agendas, reforming the polity. Its now for Team Anna to spread this message. The Parties and politician (including Congress) should come to terms atleast now than never and should pro-actively engage at this historic juncture of India. 

JP and Anna..

My Comment on DNA Article - How Anna Hazare Succeeded where JP failed by NV Subramanian.

http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column_how-anna-hazare-succeeded-where-jayaprakash-narayan-failed_1595481#comments

Abhishek from Parbhani

'Anna’s recent reiteration not to run for political office and never to midwife a political party will prevent him from making the blunder JP made.'These are two very different movement. The Author, sorry to say, himself making blunder to call JP blunder. JP's call of Janata Party and then went on making Govt was itself a historic moment in history of Democratic India. What are the achievement of this Govt then?If we look at it empirically, then not much in it. But on deeper look, It had shown the Congress and Indira that they were not only to run the govt. The opposition broke the 'anti-congressism' syndrome to give or atleast tried to give alternative. The govt has repealed many provisions of 42nd Amendment and restored the constitutional balance. It reiterated the power of People of India, its youths. Comparing Anna and JP will defeat every purpose of them. We have to wait for time to come, don't forget JP continued for 4-5 yrs. Anna has just started his inning... 

I wish debate would have been 'JP's Movement and Anna's movement', rather 'JP and Anna'...

Another Prescruption...

My letter in Indian Express - Letters to Editor, dated Oct 4, 2011

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/move-on/855370/0 

It is to the response to Shekhar Gupta's National Interest Column -
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/decide-on-the-doctor/854125/0

Sports Promotion Tax

My letter in Indian Express - Letters to Editor, dated Sept 16, 2011

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/janus-rsum/847249/0

EVEN though the sports bill couldn’t clear the cabinet stage, it has successfully started a debate. At the start, the debate has met with arrogant responses from the BCCI. The treatment meted out to our winning hockey team is humiliating. There should be a tax on the BCCI. Its cash registers are ringing because of the popularity of cricket in India. It needs to realise that cricket is growing at the cost of other sports, so it shouldn’t hesitate from shouldering the responsibility to promote other sports, for which it must be taxed.

— Abhishek M. Chaudhari

Pune

मशाल क्रांतीची

उडाला भडका

वाजवा डंका

पेटवा लंका

पेटली मशाल क्रांतीची

सर्वत्र विखारी नाग

धुमसली आंतरिक आग

भडकला सार्वजनिक राग

पेटली मशाल क्रांतीची

स्फुरले तारुण्य

सळसळले रक्त

हादरले मदांध तख्त

पेटली मशाल क्रांतीची

काव्य केले शस्त्राने

रक्त सांडले लेखणीने

भूमीस लाल-अभिषेक

पेटली मशाल क्रांतीची

सृष्टी-पुत्रांनीचं पुकारला

प्रती-सृष्टीचा उष:काल

भास्कराने पुनश्च: डोळे उघडले

झाले मुक्त आकाश सारे

पेटली मशाल क्रांतीची

आता,

तुचं तुझा चित्रकार

तुचं तुझा शिल्पकार

तुचं देणार या प्रतिसृष्टीस आकार...

Alienated from Alienation Theorist…

Today Indian Express reported on front page – ‘Some bravado to camouflage the despondent mood, acceptance of the V S factor in Kerala, a subtle punch at the West Bengal unit, pointing out the “shortcomings” at all levels, and a decision to work out a plan to “reconnect” with alienated masses and revive lost ground — the CPM Politburo today began introspection on the Assembly poll humiliation.’
Bengalis are now the alienated masses from none other than the great champions of ‘Alienation Theory’ of Karl Marx. So What’s ‘Left’ in this ideology and its proponent in Bharat? Practically nothing! But I know there is still ‘left’ the huge intelligentsia classes, who still believes in Bourgeois-Proletariat, Alienation, Anti-West rhetorics. The fall of 34 rule of Communist parties in West Bengal seems to be the last nail. Even the sitting CM lost his sits by 16000 votes.



During this 34 year rule, Bengal has been left behind all other states. The Kolkata survives due to sheer inertia of British legacy. It can boasted itself for the cheapest city, but with cheap facilities! Just cross Kolkata borders, we find the gloomy pictures. The poverty, unemployment and keep counting all the problems of Bharat. Besides, the ‘borderless’ ideology also allowed the illegal migration across the border.
Last year I visited Kolkata. My train reached there at 4 O’clock in the morning. On dawn of the day, I came out of the Hawrah station. Amidst the beautiful flowers blossoms besides the mighty Hawrah bridge, I came across a Morcha with Red flags. At 6 O’clock in the morning! Incredible!! This was my interaction with Red Bengal. During my trip, my impression remain as it. I came to the firm conclusion, Bengal needs change. And the Bengalis changed it now.
With thumping attendance to election, nearly 80 to 85%, the left govt has been routed out. They gave the clear signal with 2/3rd majority to Trinamool + that they want to be with rest of Bharat and not to be ‘left’ behind. Despite this clear cut signal, Left is still in their ‘revolution’ mood –



God (don’t) save them…

“No One Killed Jessica”, Times of India hit the homes on the morning of Feb 22, 2006. Once sidelined by mainstream media and people as open & shut case had now turned into ‘news’. This soon came true, as it exemplifies as one of the most remarkable case in our Nyay-system.

Jessica Lall, a model, was shot dead for denying Mannu a glass of drink. A young, charming girl’s life was proved to be not more than a glass of drink. Ridiculous! Yes, surely Ridiculous! But hold on your anger. Such ridiculous incidents happen each and everyday across length and breadth of Bharat. Wives are being beaten up by their husbands for a glass of liquor, girls are being sold by their own relatives for a glass of liquor, sometimes this glass of drink cases death also. So what’s special about Jessica? Jessica represents them. The entire case right from ‘open & shut’ to life imprisonment gave a sense of Nyay to these victims and to the common man.

Quoting Meera (Rani Mukharjee in NOKJ), “The power has came back to its real owner, i.e. the common (wo)man”. The ‘Justice for Jessica’ started as Orkutgiri soon spread via SMS, e-mails, NDTV, HT and hit the India Gate with candles. The India seemed to be united at this juncture. The entire govt and judicial machinery was not used to such kind of activism, led by no ‘one’ but by a feeling, a sense towards nyay. Puzzled, confused, pressurized system at last reacted.

Manu was held guilty by High Court. Supreme Court approved it 4 years later. After 11 years (very less compared to our track record), Jessica got justice. Jessica or Priyadarshini, in that sense, are lucky enough to get justice ultimately. What about Satyandra Dubey, Shanmugam Manjunath, Ruchika, Arushi, victims of great drivers like Salman, Sanjeev Nanda?

At last, what about Bhotmange family of Khairlanji? How many of us still remember the names? What about their brutal slaughtering by their own villagers in name of caste? The two women were paraded naked before being murdered. Though the court held the convicts guilty of their crime and punished them with maximum punishment of life imprisonment. But has the Nyay done? Has this verdict answered the caste hatred which inspired the killings? Has it stopped caste politics of this murder? What about the ‘puppet’ Bhayyalal bhotmange in the hands of this political groups including many ‘Republican” groups?

There involves larger and complex questions. ‘Justice for Jessica’ debate began with Orkut. But you start the thread of ‘Khairlanji’ there, suddenly orkut polarized. Everyone takes their own caste lines, some even doubting characters of two women of Bhotmange family. Just search your orkut profile. ‘Jessica’ communities has 1600 members apart from discussions in other communities, for Khairlanji there are only 23 members.
The middle class, civil society, media which claimed applause for ‘Jessica’, suddenly turned hypocrites. The ‘India Shining’, ‘Bharat Nirman’, ‘Global Power’, everything is booming this burgeoning middle class. But is this ‘The Great Indian / Bharatiya middle Class’ worth of it?