Scientists have found the Higgs Boson, also known as the God Particle, which, they say, is responsible for giving matter its property of mass and subsequently size and shape. It could also help explain how the universe began. The Indian media has rightly pointed out that Indian scientist Satyendra Nath Bose whose research laid the foundation of the discovery has not been given due credit. Even many of us were also unaware of the contribution of Bose till it was highlighted by the media. Not only Bose, contribution of many Indian scientists has been overlooked. The knowledge in the Vedas and ancient Indian scriptures has also not been given due recognition, though many scientists, including western, have taken inspiration from them. From discovery of decimal system and zero to geometry, physics, medicine, astronomy and biology among other things -- the ancient Indian scriptures have almost everything. The Vedas are treasure of knowledge and not just religious texts. They have blended the empirical science with the spirituality. While the empirical science is required for the growth and survival of the mankind, the spirituality is essential for awakening the human conscience, which in turn helps in conserving the Nature on which depends the very existence of the world.
Scientists who discovered God Particle, after spending over 10 billion dollars, claim that they recreated the situation when the universe was formed but the big question is that can we restore the Nature which has been and is being destroyed by the man in the quest for material growth? Yes, it can be done and that too without spending even a penny, if we start seeing the God in every particle around us. As Vedas have declared and reiterated in Geeta, God resides even in the minutest of particle in the universe. Superficially, it may appear to be a religious notion but in fact through Vedas, ancient researcher whom we refer as Rishis, have tried to communicate that everything in the Nature is the God, hence its our moral obligation to protect and preserve it. The laws of Nature apply on everyone including human beings. These law balance the entire universe. However, human beings are defying these laws and in the process destroying Nature. All living beings are dependent on the Nature. Its destruction means destruction of the God and Self. There are certain ills like caste system which are attributed to Vedas. The answer is that anything, even if it is religious texts, which defies the basic fact that the God resides in every particle should be discarded. Instead of letter, the emphasis should be on spirit.
Considering the pathetic situation prevailing today, I often feel that the `Jungle Raj' is better than the `Kanoon Ka Raj'. In jungle, all living beings follow the law of Nature but human beings do not follow the law of Nature and always try to break away from Kanoon Ka Raaj (rule of law). That's the reason why we do not have peace and orderliness in the society despite having number of laws. In Jungle, one will never find one living being looting, killing and raping fellow living being. There are no dowry deaths, honour killings, female foeticide, riots, farmer suicides, hunger deaths while tonnes of food grain is allowed to rot, terrorism, smuggling, scams....All the living beings follow the laws set for them by the Nature. The laws of the Nature take care that the need of every living being is fulfilled. But the greed in man has created a situation where 20% of the population has hold over 80% of the resources. This 20% population is responsible for destruction of the Nature or the God and the remaining 80% suffer on account of it. Only the balance science and spirituality in our lives can ensure welfare of all. The spirituality does not necessarily means renouncing the world and meditate. Its about realising the God within, that is, to awaken the conscience, and to see the God in all living beings. Its difficult but not impossible to be selfless. In fact, its the "selflessness" which makes human being different from animals. Swami Vivekananda defined God in one line "Service to man is service to the God". Mother Teresa said "There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread."
Following is the speech of Mahatma Gandhi on existence of god delivered at Kingsley Hall, London, on October 17, 1931. The speech, in my view, has the most simple and suitable definition of the God.
"There is an indefinable mysterious power that pervades everything. I feel it, though I do not see it. It is this unseen power which makes itself felt and yet defies all proof, because it is so unlike all that I perceive through my senses. It transcends the senses. But it is possible to reason out the existence of god to a limited extent. Even in ordinary affairs we know that people do not know who rules, or why, and how He rules. And yet they know that there is a power that certainly rules.
In my tour last year in Mysore, I met many poor villagers and I found upon inquiry that they did not know who ruled Mysore. They simple said some god ruled it. If the knowledge of these poor people was so limited about their ruler, I, who am infinitely lesser in respect to God than they to their ruler need not be surprised if I do not realize the presence of God, the King of Kings.
Nevertheless, I do feel, as the poor villagers felt about Mysore, that there is orderliness in the universe, there is an unalterable law governing everything and every being that exists or lives. It is not a blind law, for no blind law can govern the conduct of living beings. And thanks to the marvelous researches of Sir JC Bose, it can now be proved that even matter has life.
Nevertheless, I do feel, as the poor villagers felt about Mysore, that there is orderliness in the universe, there is an unalterable law governing everything and every being that exists or lives. It is not a blind law, for no blind law can govern the conduct of living beings. And thanks to the marvelous researches of Sir JC Bose, it can now be proved that even matter has life.
That law then which governs all life is God. Law and the lawgiver are one. I may not deny the law or the lawgiver because I know so little about it or Him. Just as my denial or ignorance of the existence of an earthly power will avail me nothing. Even so, my denial of God and His law will not liberate me from its operation. Whereas, humble and mute acceptance of divine authority makes life’s journey easier even as the acceptance of earthly rule makes life under it easier.
I do dimly perceive that whilst everything around me is ever changing, ever dying, there is underlying all that change a living power that is changeless, that holds all together; that creates, dissolves, and recreates. That informing power of spirit is God. And since nothing else that I see merely through the senses can or will persist, He alone is. And if this power is benevolent or malevolent, I see it as purely benevolent. For, I can see that in the midst of death, life persists. In the midst of untruth, truth persists. In the midst of darkness, light persists. Hence I gather that God is life, truth, light. He is love. He is the supreme good. But, He is no God who merely satisfies the intellect, if He ever does. God to be God must rule the heart and transform it. He must express himself even in smallest act of His votary. This can only be done through a definite realization more real than the fives senses can ever produce.
Sense perceptions can be and often are false and deceptive however real they may appear to us. Where there is realization outside the senses it is infallible. It is proved not by extreme extraneous evidence, but in the transformed conduct and character of those who have felt the real presence of God within. Such testimony is to be found in the experiences of an unbroken line of prophets and sages in all countries and climes. To reject this evidence is to deny oneself. This realization is preceded by an immovable faith. He who would in his own person, test the fact of God’s presence can do so by a living faith and since faith itself cannot be proved by extraneous evidence, the safest course is to believe in the moral government of the world and therefore in the supremacy of the moral law, the law of truth and love. Exercise of faiths will be the safest where there is the clear determination summarily to reject all that is contrary to truth and love.
I confess that I have no argument to convince through reason. Faith transcends reason. All that I can advise is not to attempt the impossible.
Public memory is short. Aam aadmi forgets things in a short span because he/she has a lot to think about and do to survive in life. But, as wrote in my previous post that "The Idea of Anna", which represents fight against corruption, should be kept alive, I have chosen to write this post when the country is witnessing communal tension over Assam riots.
Some may find it bizarre but there is a possibility that the wave of communalism can be an attempt to divert public attention from the issue of corruption. The wave swept India just a day before three reports of Comptroller and Auditor General were tabled in the parliament revealing a scam of over 2.38 lakh crore. Please don't blame Pakistan for the communal disturbance. It can do nothing without the help of insiders.
Some may find it bizarre but there is a possibility that the wave of communalism can be an attempt to divert public attention from the issue of corruption. The wave swept India just a day before three reports of Comptroller and Auditor General were tabled in the parliament revealing a scam of over 2.38 lakh crore. Please don't blame Pakistan for the communal disturbance. It can do nothing without the help of insiders.
The issue is not about communalism alone. With the introduction of the bill in parliament to amend constitution for providing reservation in promotions to scheduled castes and tribes in government services, in coming days, India would be engrossed in a fierce debate dividing people on caste lines. And, it would be followed by demand to amend the constitution for providing quota to minorities. Among these caste and communal issues, nobody will question about Lokpal and election reform bills pending since long.
It is not without reason that people worldover call "politics a game of scoundrels". This also explains why a majority of politicians across all parties were overjoyed when Anna Hazare disbanded his team and announced that he would try to give a political alternative to the people because at present most leaders are corrupt and do not want a strong Lokpal to curb corruption. These politicians know that electoral politics depends more on caste and communal combinations, and use of money and mafia, areas where Anna is a big zero.
It is not without reason that people worldover call "politics a game of scoundrels". This also explains why a majority of politicians across all parties were overjoyed when Anna Hazare disbanded his team and announced that he would try to give a political alternative to the people because at present most leaders are corrupt and do not want a strong Lokpal to curb corruption. These politicians know that electoral politics depends more on caste and communal combinations, and use of money and mafia, areas where Anna is a big zero.
Also, a big section of media is supporting politicians. It will not allow the Team Anna to settle down. It will create controversy on the each statement of the Team Anna members and attribute motives to their every move. And, even if against all odds, the Team Anna succeeds in making monetary corruption as the main poll issue, it will not be able to stand before a job quota promise, a communal riot and demagoguery during election campaign.
Politicians are saying that "Now Team Anna will know how difficult it is to run a political party... now he will understand what are the compulsions of politics...politics is not a easy thing". A close analysis shows that such statements are in fact confessions and an attempt to justify the compromises (read corrupt ways) politicians adopt to grab and remain in power. This has exposed how politicians across all parties stand united against any attempt to curtail corruption and how they ganged up to sabotage the Janlokpal movement and how different sections of the privileged class criticise each other in public but help each other behind doors. They may speak in different voices but deep inside all are united and protect each other's interest.
Uttar Pradesh (UP) assembly election held earlier this year is perfect example of how elections are fought in India, what politicians do after elections and conduct of media. During polls, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi called Samajwadi Party (SP) `goonda' (goons) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) `chor' (thieves). Mayawati called the Congress the biggest enemy of dalits. Mulayam Singh Yadav blamed the Congress for all the problems in India. The main issue was corruption under Mayawati rule in the state and under UPA in the country. Minority quota was introduced by the Congress to divert public attention from corruption. Mayawati played Dalit card. Mulayam promised free laptops, farm loan waivers, unemployment allowance etc. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shot itself on the foot by inducting expelled BSP leader Babu Singh Kushwaha, a prime accused in multi-crore NRHM scam. The anti-corruption publuc sentiments due to Anna's campaign damaged BSP and Congress. The BJP lost because of Kushwaha episode. The SP won elections as there was no other alternative. A section of media went overboard focussing on the two `Yuvrajs' -- Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav.
After elections, Congress shook hands with SP and BSP for presidential and vice-presidential polls. Sonia Gandhi, Mayawati and Mulayam had lunch together along with other allies of the Congress led UPA to display unity. The media did not find anything wrong in BSP, SP and Congress parties, which described each other as chor, goonda, anti-dalit and anti-Muslims, enjoying lunch together. No attempt was made to find out that why the Congress nominated Pranab Mukherjee for the presidentship. Was he the best candidate or the UPA government was under tremendous pressure of the world economic powers to expedite economic reforms and as Union finance minister, Pranab was an obstacle and so was Trinmool Congress president and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. In one stroke, the Congress was able to `arrange' a graceful exit to Pranab and isolated Mamata. The CBI, which was directed by the high court to probe NRHM scam, was hyperactive during elections. It was said many big fish would be caught. But after the elections, The CBI probe slowed down. Prime accused got bail. Big fish are still out of the net. Now, nobody remembers the UP elections.
But aam admi continues to suffer. Ask a poor man on the street to describe today's politicians, the instant reply would be `sub chor hain". Almost 90% of the movies in Bollywood and regional languages show politicians as crooks and people clap when the hero beats up netas. In the online and SMS polls, a lot of people who voted in favour of Team Anna joining politics did so because they feel that it would clean the dirty politics. And those who voted against say that they don't want the Team to join politics because it is dirty. In fact, in common parlance, `politics' has become synonymous with backbiting, hypocrisy, selfishness, lobbying for vested interest, cheating, nepotism, ditching, deception, manipulation, opportunism, sycophancy etc. The word politics is widely used today to describe `dirt' in every sphere of life - be it an office or an organisation, sports or college, family or friends, an institution or a profession. If politics is regarded as a dirty today, it is due to the methods (money, mafia, might, media, and manipulation) adopted by politicians to win the elections and their conduct thereafter. A close look reveals that the election scene is almost the same from panchayat to parliamentary elections.
Anna's movement has also exposed a big section of media, which first supported the movement but gradually changed its stand when realised that it may also hit its vested interests. The Radia tapes have exposed the double speak of media. The people must ask why journalists hushed up Radia tapes? Why corporates are still consider to be sacrosanct despite number of expose on its role in corruption? Why journalists accept government awards, facilities like subsidised residential accommodations, land and health care apart from nominations in Rajya Sabha or on appointment in posts like information commissioner? Even the section of media which reported the Anna movement objectively failed to highlight the point that democracy was not about electoral politics alone. Such movements are essential part of the democracy. No movement last forever. It reorganises after a pause. It is not necessary for the people leading the movement to be part of electoral politics for bringing change. Mahatma Gandhi and Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narain never contested election. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and Ram Manohar Lohia lost elections. But all these giants left a lasting impact on electoral politics.
If "winning election" is the qualification to pressure government for bringing change, do our politicians have the courage to fight election from any part of India. Can Rahul Gandhi leave Amethi and contest from Gandhinagar? or Can LK Advani leave Gandhinagar and fight election from Amethi? However, the politics is not bad but players are. These players have made rules which suite them. We need to change rules. Merely replacing politicians with a new lot would be no solution. The Jai Prakash (JP) movement against corruption during Indira regime in 1975 replaced people in the power but with time the latter turned corrupt and dumped JP's concept of "Total Revolution" which called for a continuous social change to root out all evils and corruption from the society. Similarly, we have also seen how politicians who claim themselves to be followers of Babasaheb have compromised with his principles. I won't be surprised if Team Anna fails to provide a political alternative. The Team cannot depend of the opinion polls as the number of voters is very small in comparison to over 80% people of this country who are poor and have accepted exploitation by corrupt system as their fate.
The real test here is not of Anna but is of the people. The middle class will have to overcome its financial and social insecurities and come out to provide leadership to the masses in fight against corruption. The nation needs sacrifice. The sacrifice starts with selflessness. For selflessness, one has to prevent desires from turning into greed. We will have to say no to everything and anything which defies basic moral principles of truth and honesty - from dowry, bribery, tax evasion and kickbacks to out of way admissions in schools, short cuts for getting job and success. There should be no justification of immoral behaviour in the name of "being practical". No respect to a person who has amassed wealth through corrupt ways, even if he/she is from our own family. We will have to face hardships in life and take pride in being honest and keep nation above caste and faith (Its not impossible. Our freedom fighters did it). Only after qualifying this test, we will be in a position to fight against corruption, otherwise we deserve the pathetic conditions we are living today.
August, he said - sarkar ki neeyat saaf nahi hai and the fight against corruption will be long. The turn of events in the last one year prove that he was right.
Now, Anna and his team are back at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, with the demand of a strong Lokpal to check corruption and set an impartial inquiry against corrupt ministers. And, with it, the ruling class or the neo-feudalists have launched the vilification campaign again and are resorting to all kinds of measures to discredit Team Anna, and crush their campaign. This class includes not only politicians but also those in media, social activists, academia, intellectuals, corporates and all in the privileged class who always prefer to be on the right side of the power. This class can be seen in TV debates every night passing judgements portraying the 'peaceful Anna movement' as a danger to democracy. The same lot describes Team Anna as a blackmailer and arrogant in newspapers. In fact, a section of media has already declared Anna's movement as a `flop show'. This class is not ready to accept that it is a servant and not a master of the masses.
It was clear from the beginning that the Congress-led UPA government had no intention to enact a strong Lokpal. It agreed for a joint drafting committee fearing adverse impact of Anna's fast in April 2011 on the elections in five states in May but dumped it after the polls and brought a weak Lokpal Bill in Parliament in August, 2011. Later, through a resolution passed by Parliament, the government assured Anna that his demands will be met. Anna broke his fast but as feared, the government went back on its word. In fact, all the political parties colluded to scuttle the legislation in Parliament. After all who would like to sign on his/her death warrant. A strong Lokpal would mean many of top leaders of almost all the political parties would land up in jail, hence every trick was used -- from reservation to federalism and a dramatic ruckus in the Rajya Sabha -- to stall the enactment of a strong Lokpal institution against corruption.
The government never wanted a Lokpal. In August last year, Anna was first denied permission for a fast and arrested but was allowed later following public outrage. The countrywide support also forced government to call a session of Parliament which passed `the sense of house' and assured Anna that the government is committed to enact a strong Lokpal. But it turned out to be only an exercise to buy time. The government also resorted to excuses that as per rules, the parliamentary Standing Committee will draft the bill after taking views from various sections of society, organizations and parties. But the Bill tabled in Parliament in December 2011 was not the one proposed by Team Anna. Between Anna's fast and tabling of the Bill in Parliament, an organised campaign was launched against Anna and his team to break their unity and alienate them from the people. And, it did succeed up to some extent.
Further, the issue was politicised and communalised through propaganda and influencing media. The debate was gradually shifted from provisions of the Lokpal to the conduct of Team Anna by digging up their past and blowing even small and petty issues out of proportion. The social activists with no mass base but opposed to Team Anna were strategically roped in to confuse the people by mixing issues. While injecting in public mind that the RSS is behind Anna's campaign, the minority quota was tactically introduced in the Bill to alienate Muslims. But when Anna sat on fast again in December 2011, the government was forced to table the Bill in the Parliament. Several revisions which diluted the Bill were done even after tabling it in the Parliament to placate various political parties. And, finally the legislation was stalled by the political parties blaming each other for not being serious about curbing corruption.
In midst of this confusion, when an ailing Anna was forced to break his fast and a less crowd turned up at the venue in Mumbai, he was declared a loser. Barring a few newspapers and news channels, the media appeared to be on the side of the government. Had political parties been serious about the Lokpal, they would have never launched a propaganda to discredit Anna. Similarly, there was no need to dig the past of Anna's team members. Anna was labelled an RSS agent. Nobody explained how Anna's alleged RSS connection is related to CBI's autonomy? I agree that RSS is communal but Congress is equally communal. Who can forget Sikh genocide, Shah Bano case, shilanyas of Ram temple at disputed site in Ayodhya, demolition of Babri mosque and 4.5% minority quota. Every time, communal card was used for electoral gains. Those calling Anna an RSS agent are only strengthening divisive politics of the politicians.
When Team Anna does not involve and consult political parties, he is labelled as arrogant and when it does, it is accused of politicising the issue. Anna has also been called a dictator who imposes his views, particularly prohibition, on others. How can a person who believes in supremacy of Gram sabha can be a dictator? For Anna, prohibition means saving millions of poor families destroyed by alcoholism. Mahatma Gandhi advocated prohibition and we call him the Father of the nation. It seems for those who call Anna a dictator because he supports prohibition, a bottle of beer is important than lakhs of people who die every year because corruption deprives them from food, medical care and basic needs. Before drinking, they don't even bother to know that the glass in front of them might have alcohol prepared by wheat deliberately allowed to rot (while thousands of poor remain hungry) for the purpose by corrupt officers.
Those raising questions over the integrity of Team Anna members should realise the fact that as an officer of Indian Police service, Kiran Bedi could have earned millions and Arvind Kejriwal could have made a fortune in Indian Revenue Service. Had they been corrupt, they would have never challenged government's might. However, instead of being disappointed, Team Anna should be encouraged by the fact that the it has forced the government to bring the Lokpal Bill, even if it was weak and pending for last 42 years, in the Parliament. It was because of anti-corruption public opinion generated by Anna that Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati was forced to sack nine ministers on Lokayukta's report, Uttrakhand chief minister BC Khanduri had to enact a strong Lokayukta institution and YS Yedurappa had to resign from the post of Karnataka chief minister after being indicted for corruption by the Lokayukta.
At no point of time in history, the world was entirely corrupt or was totally corruption free. It has been present in the society in some form or another. That's why, reformers and prophets took birth from time to time to put things in order. And, initially, all these reformers and prophets were opposed by the ruling class and not accepted by the society but gradually they made their mark. The concepts of heaven and hell were well propounded only to deter people from corruption. For the same reason, concept of God, the ultimate ombudsman, watching every action of each individual was developed. But it has failed. Today corruption rules. Nearly 20% of people control 80% of resources in the country. The 80% poor are fighting for survival and feel `kuch nahi ho sakta'. However, majority in remaining 20% have accepted corruption as an integral part of the life. A section of middle class wants change but has lost courage to fight.
The country is being run by mafia. We have killed our conscience (the God) and that's why mafia rules. The social and financial insecurity prevents us from taking any stand against whatever wrong we see in society. We form opinions on the basis of what others feel about a particular thing. In the name of being pragmatic, we compromise with ideals. The tendency is to find faults in the person who stands up against wrong doing. We try to find a `motive' behind every action of such people. We find faults and run down these people to cover up our own guilt of doing nothing. In the name of practicality we justify the acts of `wrong doers' as it happened in the case of Mulayam ditching Mamta or defending Manmohan despite corruption in his government. However, at the same time we expect the honest ones to be 100% perfect. Even a small mistake is used to discredit them as done in the case of Team Anna.
Perhaps India needs a `shocker' to awake it's `conscience'. A lot of people who were earlier associated with the Team Anna were corrupt and took part in the agitation for publicity. But many have left. Many more will go. The present campaign may fail. But we need to remember that independence was not won in a single day. Its better to have a few committed people with revolutionary zeal than a big mob to carry on the fight. Political parties organize huge rallies by 'arranging' crowd but such events rarely bring any significant change in society. Taking inspiration from Anna, many individuals have vowed to lead a righteous life. These people will bring change. Nobody is perfect. It applies on Anna and his team members as well. But Anna is no longer a figure. He has become "an idea". There can be flaws in Anna and his team but not in "the idea of Anna" which symbolizes the fight against corruption.
After taking voluntary retirement recently, an honest IPS officer in UP wrote to his friends narrating a story -- A forest caught fire. A bird who flew to a nearby pond and brought water in its beak and poured it on the fire. It repeated the exercise till fully exhausted. A crow came to the bird and said "Your are wasting your energy. The fire cannot be doused with such a small quantity of water." The bird replied, "I know but when history will be written my name will not feature among those who set forest on fire or stood idle doing nothing." Today I find Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's poem "Ekla Chalo Re", which was one of the most inspiring poem during freedom struggle, relevant for the fight against corruption. India needs sacrifices and those sincerely wanting to change the system will have to continue to fight in their own way against all odds. Here is English translation of Ekla Chalo Re
If they answer not to thy call, walk alone
Now, Anna and his team are back at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, with the demand of a strong Lokpal to check corruption and set an impartial inquiry against corrupt ministers. And, with it, the ruling class or the neo-feudalists have launched the vilification campaign again and are resorting to all kinds of measures to discredit Team Anna, and crush their campaign. This class includes not only politicians but also those in media, social activists, academia, intellectuals, corporates and all in the privileged class who always prefer to be on the right side of the power. This class can be seen in TV debates every night passing judgements portraying the 'peaceful Anna movement' as a danger to democracy. The same lot describes Team Anna as a blackmailer and arrogant in newspapers. In fact, a section of media has already declared Anna's movement as a `flop show'. This class is not ready to accept that it is a servant and not a master of the masses.
It was clear from the beginning that the Congress-led UPA government had no intention to enact a strong Lokpal. It agreed for a joint drafting committee fearing adverse impact of Anna's fast in April 2011 on the elections in five states in May but dumped it after the polls and brought a weak Lokpal Bill in Parliament in August, 2011. Later, through a resolution passed by Parliament, the government assured Anna that his demands will be met. Anna broke his fast but as feared, the government went back on its word. In fact, all the political parties colluded to scuttle the legislation in Parliament. After all who would like to sign on his/her death warrant. A strong Lokpal would mean many of top leaders of almost all the political parties would land up in jail, hence every trick was used -- from reservation to federalism and a dramatic ruckus in the Rajya Sabha -- to stall the enactment of a strong Lokpal institution against corruption.
The government never wanted a Lokpal. In August last year, Anna was first denied permission for a fast and arrested but was allowed later following public outrage. The countrywide support also forced government to call a session of Parliament which passed `the sense of house' and assured Anna that the government is committed to enact a strong Lokpal. But it turned out to be only an exercise to buy time. The government also resorted to excuses that as per rules, the parliamentary Standing Committee will draft the bill after taking views from various sections of society, organizations and parties. But the Bill tabled in Parliament in December 2011 was not the one proposed by Team Anna. Between Anna's fast and tabling of the Bill in Parliament, an organised campaign was launched against Anna and his team to break their unity and alienate them from the people. And, it did succeed up to some extent.
Further, the issue was politicised and communalised through propaganda and influencing media. The debate was gradually shifted from provisions of the Lokpal to the conduct of Team Anna by digging up their past and blowing even small and petty issues out of proportion. The social activists with no mass base but opposed to Team Anna were strategically roped in to confuse the people by mixing issues. While injecting in public mind that the RSS is behind Anna's campaign, the minority quota was tactically introduced in the Bill to alienate Muslims. But when Anna sat on fast again in December 2011, the government was forced to table the Bill in the Parliament. Several revisions which diluted the Bill were done even after tabling it in the Parliament to placate various political parties. And, finally the legislation was stalled by the political parties blaming each other for not being serious about curbing corruption.
In midst of this confusion, when an ailing Anna was forced to break his fast and a less crowd turned up at the venue in Mumbai, he was declared a loser. Barring a few newspapers and news channels, the media appeared to be on the side of the government. Had political parties been serious about the Lokpal, they would have never launched a propaganda to discredit Anna. Similarly, there was no need to dig the past of Anna's team members. Anna was labelled an RSS agent. Nobody explained how Anna's alleged RSS connection is related to CBI's autonomy? I agree that RSS is communal but Congress is equally communal. Who can forget Sikh genocide, Shah Bano case, shilanyas of Ram temple at disputed site in Ayodhya, demolition of Babri mosque and 4.5% minority quota. Every time, communal card was used for electoral gains. Those calling Anna an RSS agent are only strengthening divisive politics of the politicians.
When Team Anna does not involve and consult political parties, he is labelled as arrogant and when it does, it is accused of politicising the issue. Anna has also been called a dictator who imposes his views, particularly prohibition, on others. How can a person who believes in supremacy of Gram sabha can be a dictator? For Anna, prohibition means saving millions of poor families destroyed by alcoholism. Mahatma Gandhi advocated prohibition and we call him the Father of the nation. It seems for those who call Anna a dictator because he supports prohibition, a bottle of beer is important than lakhs of people who die every year because corruption deprives them from food, medical care and basic needs. Before drinking, they don't even bother to know that the glass in front of them might have alcohol prepared by wheat deliberately allowed to rot (while thousands of poor remain hungry) for the purpose by corrupt officers.
Those raising questions over the integrity of Team Anna members should realise the fact that as an officer of Indian Police service, Kiran Bedi could have earned millions and Arvind Kejriwal could have made a fortune in Indian Revenue Service. Had they been corrupt, they would have never challenged government's might. However, instead of being disappointed, Team Anna should be encouraged by the fact that the it has forced the government to bring the Lokpal Bill, even if it was weak and pending for last 42 years, in the Parliament. It was because of anti-corruption public opinion generated by Anna that Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati was forced to sack nine ministers on Lokayukta's report, Uttrakhand chief minister BC Khanduri had to enact a strong Lokayukta institution and YS Yedurappa had to resign from the post of Karnataka chief minister after being indicted for corruption by the Lokayukta.
At no point of time in history, the world was entirely corrupt or was totally corruption free. It has been present in the society in some form or another. That's why, reformers and prophets took birth from time to time to put things in order. And, initially, all these reformers and prophets were opposed by the ruling class and not accepted by the society but gradually they made their mark. The concepts of heaven and hell were well propounded only to deter people from corruption. For the same reason, concept of God, the ultimate ombudsman, watching every action of each individual was developed. But it has failed. Today corruption rules. Nearly 20% of people control 80% of resources in the country. The 80% poor are fighting for survival and feel `kuch nahi ho sakta'. However, majority in remaining 20% have accepted corruption as an integral part of the life. A section of middle class wants change but has lost courage to fight.
The country is being run by mafia. We have killed our conscience (the God) and that's why mafia rules. The social and financial insecurity prevents us from taking any stand against whatever wrong we see in society. We form opinions on the basis of what others feel about a particular thing. In the name of being pragmatic, we compromise with ideals. The tendency is to find faults in the person who stands up against wrong doing. We try to find a `motive' behind every action of such people. We find faults and run down these people to cover up our own guilt of doing nothing. In the name of practicality we justify the acts of `wrong doers' as it happened in the case of Mulayam ditching Mamta or defending Manmohan despite corruption in his government. However, at the same time we expect the honest ones to be 100% perfect. Even a small mistake is used to discredit them as done in the case of Team Anna.
Perhaps India needs a `shocker' to awake it's `conscience'. A lot of people who were earlier associated with the Team Anna were corrupt and took part in the agitation for publicity. But many have left. Many more will go. The present campaign may fail. But we need to remember that independence was not won in a single day. Its better to have a few committed people with revolutionary zeal than a big mob to carry on the fight. Political parties organize huge rallies by 'arranging' crowd but such events rarely bring any significant change in society. Taking inspiration from Anna, many individuals have vowed to lead a righteous life. These people will bring change. Nobody is perfect. It applies on Anna and his team members as well. But Anna is no longer a figure. He has become "an idea". There can be flaws in Anna and his team but not in "the idea of Anna" which symbolizes the fight against corruption.
After taking voluntary retirement recently, an honest IPS officer in UP wrote to his friends narrating a story -- A forest caught fire. A bird who flew to a nearby pond and brought water in its beak and poured it on the fire. It repeated the exercise till fully exhausted. A crow came to the bird and said "Your are wasting your energy. The fire cannot be doused with such a small quantity of water." The bird replied, "I know but when history will be written my name will not feature among those who set forest on fire or stood idle doing nothing." Today I find Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's poem "Ekla Chalo Re", which was one of the most inspiring poem during freedom struggle, relevant for the fight against corruption. India needs sacrifices and those sincerely wanting to change the system will have to continue to fight in their own way against all odds. Here is English translation of Ekla Chalo Re
If they answer not to thy call, walk alone
If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall, O thou unlucky one, open thy mind and speak out alone
If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness, O thou unlucky one, trample the thorns under thy tread, and along the blood-lined track travel alone
If they do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm, O thou unlucky one, with the thunder flame of pain ignite thy own heart and let it burn alone.
If they do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm, O thou unlucky one, with the thunder flame of pain ignite thy own heart and let it burn alone.
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