Anna Hazare
ME : Hey, Anna! How is it going? I mean, your fast against corruption and all that? [who is Anna hazare]
Anna : Umm, It’s going fine. I’ve entered the 5th day of my fast today.We are getting huge support for this cause all across the nation, it is growing by leaps and bounds. People from all facets of public life; be it the techies, the dabbawalas, women or the common man, all have come forward to give their support.
ME : Sheesh, how can you forget us, the students !!??
Anna : Yes-Yes, of course the students. How can I forget them?
fb power
They have played the biggest role in this protest. They are the ones who are responsible for popularizing this movement through Facebook and twitter. They have been the soul of this movement. I have come to know that they have even bunked their classes to be a part of this cause.
ME : Oh that? I don’t think the protest has much to do with them bunking classes. As far as I know, they don’t go to classes for half of the year!
Anna : Is it? then how do they manage to give their exams without enough attendance?
ME : Don’t tell this to anyone, sir. We just need to pay a few bucks to the administration that’s all, and why just attendance they offer a great deal of services for us.
Anna : OMG. WHAT?
ME : Don’t get upset. Forget it. Well, that brings me to my next question. Talking about examination, how much marks would you give to the present government?
Anna : They have been an utter failure! We have been running behind them to get the Jan lokpal bill passed. We had worked
You talkin' about me?
so hard on this. They have no regard for the opinion of the public and are not at all serious on the issue of corruption. And how dare they lock me up in Tihar Jail for conducting a non-violent peaceful protest? Is this some kind of dictatorship! They have made a mockery of our democracy. (And off the record let me tell you that Tihar stinks, and the food is simply yuck! God knows how Kalmadi and Raja survive there. Poor, rich kids! ). They must be scared that once this Anti-graft Bill comes into place they may have nowhere to go except the prison-cells. The power that the citizens of India have given them has got into their heads. And particularly that Kapil Sibbal, how arrogant he is!
ME : Though I agree that arresting and taking you to Tihar Jail was the biggest mistake that they could’ve done. But isn’t it an exaggeration to say that the gov. has become autocratic and have made a mockery of our democracy ? Considering that it is the same democracy that allows you to conduct a protest against the government. Hadn’t they been serious on the issue of corruption they would they have reintroduced the lokpal bill in the first place? And more disturbing is the fact that you are doing a fast-unto-death as long as the gov doesn’t accept your version of the bill!
Anna : Kiddo, they had agreed to reintroduce the Lokpal bill in the monsoon session because of the satyagraha that we had done asking them to pass the bill, early this year. But anyways, what’s your question?
ME : Well, my question is why has your team who have drafted the Jan Lokpal bill gone on a ‘My way or the highway’ mode? Is it justified that you are holding the government to ransom by holding a fast-unto-death? Why can’t you find a middle ground?
Anna : All’s fair in love and war and this is our war against corruption. We can’t compromise on corruption. We are aiming
I'll show you the power of non-violence
to be the future superpower. Our country is 64 years old and all that we have done is create a bad reputation worldwide courtesy to corrupt practices prevailing here. Forget the image of our country, just think about what our country would be once we get rid of this corruption. Money which should reach the common man of this country is going into the pockets of these babus. From getting a passport, to get an electricity connection, to get your driving licence, to get admission to educational institutions; you need to pay a bribe. Don’t you want to get rid of this practice? If yes, then, Jan lokpal Bill is the answer.
ME : Do you think the thousands of people who have gathered to this place and have been raising slogans against the government and hurling abuses at our politicians, even know the difference between the Lokpal and the Jan lokpal bill? They seem to have come to enjoy the attention that this event is garnering!
People supporting Anna Hazare at Ramlila grounds
Anna : You see, this movement and the support that this movement is gathering is symbolic. There is a common resentment in the general public about the problem that our country is facing. They may not know the details of this bill, all they know that is that it is for a good cause. [diff. b/w the two bills] They stand united to wipe corruption out of our country and they want to get rid of this evil.
ME : But why do we need to heap contempt on our politicians. After all, they have been elected by us. Do you encourage the rising distrust for the politicians?
Anna : Yes, they have been elected and are worthy of representing us. But they seem to have forgotten the basic purpose that they are here for. They seem to have disconnected themselves from the public and the problems that they are facing.
anna power
The reason for this distrust is that the citizens have become disgusted of the growing corruption in our country. Over the last one year the media has played a very important role by creating awareness in the public domain of the various multi-crore scams that have taken place behind our backs. The corruption has been exposed one after the other. The numbers never seemed to end. And who knows what more is left to be uncovered. The corruption that has been taking place in the lower level administration of our government over the years itself was annoying the people. But these scams running into crores have knocked the citizens hard. They were asleep but have woken up now!
ME : What do you think would happen now?
Anna : The whole country is united for this cause. What happens remains to be seem. Let’s hope for the best!
ME : On a more serious note, the kebabs that are being sold outside this ground are fabulous. Let’s have it, you wanna come along ?
Anna : Kebabs? non-veg? To hell with non-violence! ( picks up a gun and shoots) Dishkyeeuunnn !!!!!!!
