Switch to any news channel or turn a page of any newspaper and you will notice one thing. Put a few heads together anywhere and this is what anyone and everyone is discussing – The “Lokpal” bill and the “Anna Hazare” movement: The Crusade against Corruption in India.
Let’s assume the “Jan Lokpal” bill is passed just the way it is being requested, what next?
We will have another “Lokayukta” office created with just as many suspicious authorities. Does anyone remember Anti Corruption Bureau? Whatever happened to that? What do you do to keep these departments in check? Will we be able to trust them? Why are we fighting for another bill or law when we have enough that are not just being implemented / followed? This is like adding another layer to the existing mess.
How can I miss an opportunity this Historic? As many claim, this is an opportunity for our generation to make a difference. Overzealous people have also called this the “2nd Freedom Struggle”. Considering my thought process, how am I not involved yet?
It did not take more than a moment to realize that I can’t seem to connect with this crusade.
The introspection beyond this point brings out one simple fact.The entire crusade is akin to scratching the surface alone.
Let’s assume the “Jan Lokpal” bill is passed just the way it is being requested, what next?
We will have another “Lokayukta” office created with just as many suspicious authorities. Does anyone remember Anti Corruption Bureau? Whatever happened to that? What do you do to keep these departments in check? Will we be able to trust them? Why are we fighting for another bill or law when we have enough that are not just being implemented / followed? This is like adding another layer to the existing mess.
Why is this not handled at the grass-root level? And when I’m asking this question, I’m not passing the buck OR expecting someone else to take a lead.
This momentum should ideally be channelized towards correction at an individual level.
We as individuals should ensure WE do not bribe anyone rather than expecting the others to NOT accept. That’s pretty much like expecting zero gravity.We should not bribe the traffic cop when we jump a signal or ride without a helmet, even better if we do not commit such petty mistakes to begin with. After all these rules are for our safety.
We should not jump the queue by paying special fees – be it in religious places OR any other administrative office.
The core issue is “Corruption”. By booking a few corrupt people, this issue is not going to get resolved. I’m not being pessimistic in my view. But I’m saying the perspective or the dimension we are now looking at is incorrect. Or for that matter, low priority if I may say so.
Top priority is for internal cleansing to be done, so that the necessity of a 2nd or a 3rd freedom struggle at our generation OR the next generation will not arise at all.
The only downside I see to this is no one can yield any political mileage from a struggle like this.
After all, the struggle is within.
