In a couple of my earlier posts, I have mentioned my appreciation for Dr Subramanian Swamy & Janata Party - their agenda, and some of the good work they've done. Not surprisingly, some people found this outrageous, since Swamy - like the BJP - is considered 'communalist' and therefore unacceptable to the majority of the Indian intelligentsia.
I consider this very unfortunate, because the so-called 'secular' argument against Swamy & the BJP is quite hollow - as I will try to demonstrate in this post. Yet it has somehow been very effective in alienating the likes of Swamy from the educated middle-class which - ironically - should really be his support base, considering the fit between his politico-economic agenda & approach, and their own needs & values.
Meanwhile, their political opponents continue to successfully indulge in and benefit from divisive vote-bank politics by appeasing every imaginable minority as defined by caste, religion, language or ethnicity! Somehow this does not seem to offend the sensibilities of Indian intelligentsia and I struggle to understand why. Is this hypocrisy, or moral posturing, or just a case of being brainwashed by propaganda? I suspect it is a combination of the last two.
Anyway, to set the record straight, we have to examine the subject in a very detailed and dispassionate manner. While I am not really qualified to do so, I shall attempt this to the best of my ability, and welcome constructive feedback & debate.
1. Understanding the Basic Concept of Secularism.
Before the beginning of the modern industrial age, science wasn't developed enough to offer explanations for the majority of phenomena people observed and experienced in their lives. Since human beings are most uncomfortable with uncertainty, they turned to religion for answers. Of course, these answers were generally baseless and had to be taken on faith - to be accepted as the 'word of god' as interpreted by the clergy. This worked while there was no alternative, and perhaps no desire to look for one.
But things changed with the advent of the modern age. Humanity began to develop a scientific temper through the Ages of Reason and Enlightenment, culminating in the Industrial Revolution. The scientific method is based on facts and logical reasoning - empirical or experimental evidence. It does not accept anything on faith alone.
Secularism was essentially the extension of this idea to government. The scientific mind wanted to be governed based on laws and policies based on facts and logic - that made sense and seemed fair, and were based exclusively on considerations of this life. The very existence of God, the soul or the afterlife is at best unproven, and cannot be the basis or motive for any action. Therefore, secularism meant the rule of law rather than superstition, and a government acting on reason & principles, rather than religious beliefs.
This does not mean religion had no place in the modern world. The 'separation' simply meant that religion could not be a basis for government action, and conversely, the people would be free to practice their religions and the government would not discriminate on religious basis.
2. Pseudo-Secularism in current Indian Politics
Now, if you critically examine the 'secularism' issue in Indian politics today - you would realize that it doesn't quite relate with the concept of 'secularism' defined above. No major political party in India - including the BJP and Swamy's Janata Party - has ever governed in a manner based predominantly on religious beliefs or even expressed a desire to. All popular parties respect the constitution and no one important has called for the existing body of laws to be replaced by the Sharia or any Hindu equivalent. There have been multiple BJP governments at the center and in several states, and all of them have followed proper social and economic agendas, and operated within secular, democratic principles.
True, they have a strong Hindu skew and are dominated by people who have strong religious beliefs - but 'secularism' does not deny them the freedom to hold personal beliefs, as long as their actions in government are not based on these and defy law or logic. If you look at secular countries across the world - you will find that their heads of state invariably belong to the majority community, and leaders having strong religious values (typically being devout Christians/Catholics) is generally considered a good thing. In India, however, the opposite seems to be true. Politicians with Hindu leanings are viewed with suspicion, and we've had more government heads (CMs, PMs and Presidents) from minority communities than even the most liberal, secular countries - in spite of our much shorter history of democracy.
Parties such as the BJP & JP favor a uniform civil code - meaning the same set of laws applies to all citizens irrespective of which region or religion they belong to. Note that this is actually congruent with the concept of secularism. On the other hand, politicians & parties who shamelessly appease the minorities - as Rajiv Gandhi did in the Shah Bano case - and allow religious considerations to enter the political realm, are also the ones who claim to be 'secular'! This appeasement of minorities under the garb of secularism is precisely what the term 'pseudo-secular' refers to.
3. Putting Ayodhya and Godhra in Perspective
Some will cite the examples of Ayodhya and Godhra to discredit the secular credentials of the BJP. While I do not claim the BJP was entirely without blame in these cases, I'd like to point out two things.
First, these are not the only cases of communal violence or riots in India. After the Babri demolition, riots broke out across the country and even other parties in power at the center and in various states did little to stop it. There were similar riots everywhere after the '93 Mumbai blasts, as there have been on other occasions in the past as well. When large numbers of people start rioting, it becomes tougher for the government to control and usually there is a lack of intent as well - because governments don't like to get in the way of the masses when tempers are flared. They never act against the public sentiment as this would hurt them in the next elections, regardless of how 'wrong' the sentiment may be.
All political parties in India are guilty of this behavior - prime case in point being the Congress in 1984. This, while unfortunate, is the harsh reality of populist politics in a democracy like ours. Why, then, are only BJP governments blamed for two instances of communal riots, and the general public and all other parties absolved of the blame for these and similar riots elsewhere? I believe there are two main reasons for these double standards - one, of course, is pseudo-secularism. The other is the media coverage. Riots before these were not reported nearly as extensively or dramatically by the limited, state-controlled media that existed then. In fact they were often brushed under the carpet.
Secondly, and more importantly, in both cases that the BJP is blamed, it should be noted that the violence was not govt vs people, but community vs community among the people. Prior to this, Congress governments presided over the Hashimpura Massacre and Operation Blue Star. These were not cases of government being passive observers while people fought, but pro-active government action lacking any popular support, that cannot be described as secular by any stretch of the imagination. Ironically, it was 'raving communalist' Dr Swamy who undertook a fast unto death demanding a probe into the genocide at Hashimpura. Yet, the Congress and others claim to be champions of 'secularism' and the BJP & Dr Swamy allegedly represent a threat. How can anyone buy this propaganda?
4. Understanding Hindutva & Why It Can't be a Threat
The opponents of the BJP, Dr Swamy etc. claim that their Hindutva philosophy is a threat to the 'secular fabric of India', specifically to religious minority groups. This is bunkum.
The first thing we need to recognize is that Hindusim or Hindutva isn't even a 'religion' in the strict sense. Most religions are characterized by one god (Jesus, Allah, Buddha...), one or a few holy texts (the Bible, the Qor'an, Torah...), and an organized, hierarchical body such as the Roman Catholic Church with a leader such as the Pope. Most of these religions require followers to accept one god and reject all others. They have concepts of sins and/or heresy, and people who don't belong to the religion are sinners/heretics by default and have to be confronted and either converted or fought - the required level of commitment to the cause varies, but some such elements are always there.
Hinduism does not have any of the above characteristics. It grants a great degree of freedom of belief and worship, and the concept of heresy is absent. It is also extremely flexible and tolerant, and accepts that there are many paths to god. Academically, it is not even classified as a religion but has been described as 'a set of philosophies', 'a religious tradition' and so on.
In a judgment the Supreme Court of India ruled that "no precise meaning can be ascribed to the terms 'Hindu', 'Hindutva' and 'Hinduism'; and no meaning in the abstract can confine it to the narrow limits of religion alone, excluding the content of Indian culture and heritage."
The Court also ruled that "Ordinarily, Hindutva is understood as a way of life or a state of mind and is not to be equated with or understood as religious Hindu fundamentalism. A Hindu may embrace a non-Hindu religion without ceasing to be a Hindu and since the Hindu is disposed to think synthetically and to regard other forms of worship, strange gods and divergent doctrines as inadequate rather than wrong or objectionable, he tends to believe that the highest divine powers complement each other for the well-being of the world and mankind."
Thus, Hinduism is essentially benign, peace-loving and inward-looking. Our history is devoid of aggressive events and concepts like Inquisitions, Crusades, Jihad or evangelism. We've always been at the receiving end of invasions and conquests, and never fought too hard to resist those either. Even our freedom struggle against British rule was uniquely non-violent! Since independence, we've been called a 'soft state', we've favored 'status quo' when it comes to territory, and we've had the infamous 'Hindu rate of growth.' So, to the very idea of a Hindu threat of any sort to anything is laughable, and nothing more than a political chimera.
Of course, there are a few elements like the Bajrang Dal whose philosophy and actions are actually disruptive, regressive and dangerous. But equating Dr. Swamy and all BJP leaders with these elements is as fallacious as labeling every devout Muslim a jihadi or a terrorist. Within every community - including religious groups - there will always be some voices of reason, which will typically come from the better educated and progressive thinkers, and a few voices of extremism and fanaticism, which will typically belong to those who feel frustrated or wronged and don't think rationally. People will always have the choice to join, support & strengthen either of these sides. The big mistake a lot of the Indian educated/elite seem to be making is not recognizing the fact that there are two different sides to Hindutva as well, and we all have a role to play in determining which one becomes stronger in the future.
5. Divided We Fall...
Let us pause here and examine the Indian nation-state. In theory, the 'state' is a political and geopolitical entity; the 'nation' is a cultural and/or ethnic entity. The term nation-state implies that the two coincide, but how true is this of India?
We certainly have a 'state', which in terms of the width of its sphere of influence is almost as strong as communist regimes, which aren't too many in number today. As a nation, however, India is weak. A 'nation' is a group of people who typically share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent, and more importantly - identity, principles & aspirations. This is what enables a nation to work towards the 'common good', and in unison against any external threats. In India, though, we don't have a common language or culture or ethnicity. When it comes to identities, we divide ourselves on many bases - primarily region (including language), religion and caste. A lot of these sub-identities are actually stronger than the common national identity - which is why we've had secessionist movements in Kashmir, Punjab, parts of the north-east and Tamil Nadu among other regions, and we keep getting divided into more and more states.
What is the result of this? We spend more of our energy working against each other and quarreling over petty differences, than moving forward together as a nation. Look at our political landscape. Most democracies have 2-3 major parties which are divided mainly on ideological lines - liberal vs conservative, pro-labor/left-wing vs right-wing, socialist vs pro-market, and people vote for an agenda. In India, we have a large number of parties that represent narrow regional or caste sub-identities rather than a proper socio-economic agenda. As a result, core governance, policy-making and reform processes (legal, admin, economic...) take a back-seat. A Laloo Yadav is able to kill growth & development in Bihar for nearly two decades, as he commands the loyalty of the Muslim-Yadav vote-bank.
We are fed the beautiful concepts of 'mixed economy' and 'unity in diversity' in school, but on objective examination one finds that the 'mixed economy' is a failed, bastard concept. And 'unity in diversity' is an even bigger myth. I can honestly say that as a north-Indian living in the south, particularly TN, I have experienced more hostility than I have when I've traveled overseas. I grew up in an army environment - surrounded by men from all communities who literally put their lives on the line for 'India', living in cantonments in various cities across India which had a fairly uniform feel to them. So, I actually believed in the 'unity in diversity' concept and took pride in it too.
However, upon leaving that environment and living as a civilian, I witnessed an altogether different reality which left me somewhat disillusioned. Even at IIT - where we supposedly had the best young minds in the country, and were insulated from any external, political influence - I saw a lot of hostel elections being decided by regionalism. A 'gult' would tend to vote for a 'gult', and all 'northies' for 'northies' - often regardless of the candidates' credentials or manifestos. That is how deeply and fundamentally we are divided.
These divisions are not benign or just political noise either. They hold back socio-economic development, bring the wrong people into power, which in turn messes up the civil services. We all complain about how the IAS, the police etc. are so corrupt. When they report to the kind of politicians we have, and their own career growth & personal welfare depends on gaining favor with these politicians than actual performance, what else could even happen? Poor governance & administration leads to frustration among the masses - which fuels all the secessionist movements, naxalism and all kinds of fundamentalism and religious fanaticism - which are all serious threats to the unity and future of India.
6. Hindutva as a Unifying Force
It is interesting to note that there is a separate page for Communalism in the South Asian context. The introduction reads 'This article deals with the use of the word communalism in South Asia, as a name for a force separating different communities based on some form of social or sectarian discrimination. See the article communalism for the use of the word to denote a force uniting people into a community as well as a libertarian socialist political ideology, as it is used in other parts of the world where English is a major language.'
As I stated earlier, there are two versions of Hindutva. One is in line with our unique separatist concept of Communalism, and this is the one that draws most of the attention for the wrong reasons.
The other is the one described by the Supreme Court of India and what some political entities stand for. This version describes Hindutva as a cultural and civilizational concept that unites all the people of India. The term Hinduism derives from a Persian word that refers to the Sindhu (or Indus) river in northwest India; it was first used in the 14th century by Arabs, Persians, and Afghans to describe the peoples of the region. These usages show that the word Hindu, until the early nineteenth century was emphasized by nativity rather than by religion.
Since it is not really a religion, it does not exclude Muslims, Sikhs, Christian or any other communities. It emphasizes our common traditions, cultural elements and history, and is an inclusive concept that aims to assimilate all sub-groups into one Indian nation, rather than divide on any of several possible basis. I cannot think of a better basis for developing a strong concept of Indian nationalism - something that we desperately need to grow as a society and en economy and realize our potential as a people.
Of course, this would require the educated, 'elite' sections of society and the intelligentsia to participate. I don't see why this version - if properly understood and propagated by the right people - could do any harm to the secular fabric of India. It is only when capable intellectuals fail to provide proper thought leadership, that unqualified fundamentalists rise to fill the void.
So, in stead of developing an intellectual allergy to the concept of Hindutva, or getting swayed by the pseudo-secular rhetoric of most political parties and much of the media, perhaps you should try to think about it in a constructive sense.
Sep 12, 2011
Aug 25, 2011
The real Thalaivar Anna stands up...
Wed, Aug 24, Special correspondents all over the place: South Indian, Indian, Global, Universal Superstar Rajinikanth had yesterday offered his support for Anna Hazare and the Jan Lokpal Bill. As is usually the case with Rajini, the move had far-reaching repercussions that we summarize in this special report today.
Public reaction
Masses supporting the Jan Lokpal Bill erupted in celebration, knowing that the force was now with them, and there is no way the Jan Lokpal Bill could possibly be stopped now. People of all ages were seen dancing in the streets all over the country, to the tunes of "En Peru Padayappa", which is now the official theme of the anti-corruption movement. Responding to Thalaivar's call, the masses in Chennai also took to the streets, causing a 25-km-long traffic jam all the way from the Anna International Terminal to the Anna Arch in Anna Nagar, via Anna Salai. The symbolism was not lost on anyone.
It is expected that the focus of the movement will shift to Chennai over the next few days. This might discourage a few people who are traveling from far and wide to join the protest. Harkishan Singh from Karnal said, 'I'd like to fast with Anna, but Chennai is too far and too bloody hot. Besides, if I travel there, I'd want to be eating a lot of idli-dosa and sambhar, not fasting'. However, people aren't really worried about the movement losing steam. After all, they now have Rajini.
Govt response
PM Manmohan Singh and his senior cabinet ministers held an 'urgent meeting' of the 'special working committee' formed to 'diffuse an extraordinary situation, while maintaining the sanctity of parliament's sovereignty'. (While some thought the verbosity was a bit over the top, others explained it was a Congress tradition.)
Kapil Sibal spoke to the press afterwards. 'The govt is not worried', he asserted, 'since there is no problem. I explained several months back that the 2G scam didn't really happen. The govt didn't lose any money. My friend Digvijay Singh also told everybody later that Kalmadi and Chavan had to be innocent as it was his opinion. So, you see, there really isn't a corruption problem. Without a problem, there can be no protest. Without a protest, we have nothing to worry about'. He signed off with his typical glib guffaw.
This didn't surprise the reporters present too much, since Sibal has been giving the appearance of a man living in a totally different reality for a while now. Some reporters were, however, heard inquiring if anyone knew what Sibal was smoking these days, and where or how they might be able to get their hands on some of that shit.
When asked what the PM felt about the situation, Sibal said, 'Oh yes, that ol fart. He was mumbling something in one corner, but you know - who listens to him anyway?! We advised the PM not to get involved in this situation, so that he can later deny any knowledge of what happened and escape all responsibility. That way, the party can stick to our stand that PM Manmohan Singh is a man of integrity, not a dirty politician'. More glib guffawing.
A lot of Congress workers were looking where they always look for direction - towards Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Congress leader Ajit Jogi made yet another attempt at reviving his stuttering political career by calling for Rahul Gandhi to become the head of the Lokpal organization. 'I've been calling for Rahul-ji to take over the PM's post for a while now. However, seeing as how the PM will probably be under the Lokpal in future, I now feel Rahul Gandhi should take charge of the Lokpal as and when it materializes'.
Sources, however, have informed us that Sonia and Rahul may not be returning to India at all. With Rajini on the opposite side, they don't see the point of continuing in politics. And since neither of them has a college degree, they see no future for themselves in a country where even restaurant waiters and auto-rickshaw drivers these days have at least a Masters Degree obtained through a correspondence course. There are rumors that one of them - probably Rahul - may be appearing on a Donald Trump show in the USA, or the next season of Bigg Boss in India.
Other parties' response
The BJP has not so far said anything of significance - just the usual rhetoric about how the current government is incompetent and should never have been voted to power, back in 2004. Sources inform us that they are trying really hard toget Rajinikanth to join them join Rajinikanth. All their slogans, brochures and campaign materials are being re-worked to talk about Rajini-raj instead of their historical slogan of Ram-rajya.
A Left Front spokesperson informed us that the Politburo was busy studying communist literature for guidance about dealing with the current situation. They're sure 'Marx himself' and 'Lenin himself' must have said something relevant - since they knew it all and knew better than everyone else, but they've not had much luck finding anything useful thus far. In the meantime, they're opposing everyone and everything.
Mamata Bannerjee has decided to abstain when the Bill comes up for discussion. She believes some parties such as the BJP will be voting for the Bill, and she can't be on the same side. The Left will probably be voting against the Bill - and she can't be on their side either. When asked what her own view was, she rambled incoherently and loudly for a few minutes. The reporter thought he heard the word 'Bongol' 27 times in those few minutes, but couldn't understand what she meant. We tried to reach out to other leaders of the Trinamool Congress to clarify the party's stand, but soon realized that no one matches that description.
The BSP seems fine with any version of the Lokpal, as long as at least 49% of the new Lokpal jobs created are reserved for SC/ST and OBCs.
Bad news for the Indian Cricket Team
It was being heard in some corridors that the BCCI was working on plans to haveRajini join the Indian Cricket Team to salvage some pride on the current tour of England the Indian Cricket Team take the field along with Rajini and watch him annihilate all those English (some of them, anyway) Rascallas. Rajini was expected to restore India's No 1 Test ranking through his performances in the ODI series. Rajini was also being tipped to score Sachin's 100th ton in the upcoming T20 fixture on Aug 31st.
However, Rajini is not a 100% fit, having had a kidney operation in Singapore recently. With all the criticism the BCCI has received for rushing half-fit Zaheer and Sehwag back into action with disastrous results, and with Bhajji, Ishant and Gambhir also getting injured - BCCI did not want to take any chances with Rajini's fitness. There are also rumors that Munaf is injured - in spite of not playing any matches on the current tour - but the team is hiding his injury to avoid further embarrassment. In the last practice session, Munaf was seen just strolling around looking lost and uninterested and missing all catches and ground strokes that came his way. The team physio when asked about this dismissed suggestions that it had anything to do with an injury. 'That is all Munaf ever does anyway.'
There have been suggestions that Rajini might play cricket several times in the recent past, but with India being no 1 in Tests and winning ODI World Cup - and Chennai Super Kings also winning pretty much every tournament they play - there has been no need. In the current situation, Rajini might beneeded to save India when they travel to Australia later this year requested to crush those rude Aussie Rascallas later this year. When asked, chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth told this reporter, 'Anna tum sangharsh karo, hum tumhare saath hain!' He then broke into an animated diatribe about 'gorrubtion' or something, but the reporter could not make out if he was speaking in English or Tamil, or what he was saying. After getting about half a liter of saliva on his face, he gave up and left.
There have also been rumors of Rajini competing in the inaugural Indian F1 Grand Prix later this year, but the superstar has denied this, saying the cars are too slow to compete with him.
International Reaction
With Rajini taking an active interest in politics north of Chennai, a lot of significant international activity was witnessed. Pakistani troops began withdrawing from the LoC and other border areas. The Chinese also started withdrawing from Kashmir, Arunachal and other areas - including Tibet - though they were asking for a few free DVDs of past Rajini hits in return.
The Af-Pak conflict has also been resolved. A Taliban spokesperson, wearing the look of a defeated man, told this reporter that 'We were basically just scared shit-less. We've never carried out a terror strike in Chennai, even though it is the most accessible Indian metro for us - we could just send people from the Gulf to Kerala, and they wouldn't be noticed amidst all the human traffic on that route. But we didn't want to provoke Rajini. We thought we were secure in other places due to the language barrier, but alas - that is no longer the case. Our activities are based on misrepresenting the word of God to gullible young men, and asking them to go kill the infidels. But this model doesn't work when they start hearing from Rajini directly. If we try telling them that Rajini is also an infidel, they just get disillusioned with the whole thing and leave.'
US troops shall be returning home soon, and having learnt about Rajinikanth and Hindu-ism, it is expected that Diwali will supplant Christmas as the biggest American festival this year.
The riots in England and other European cities have also ended. The miscreants realize Rajini may be watching and have decided to 'mind it their behavior', for their own good.
Greece and Portugal have requested Rajini to help them sort out their economy and finances, but the superstar has not yet responded.
Butterfly Effect for Businesses
Over the past few years, most businesses had grudgingly accepted that the US population was getting older and they would have to adapt to survive and grow. A lot of 'strategic marketing consultant' types had been making a killing in the process. However, with so many US troops - mostly young men - returning from Af-Pak all of a sudden, all alive, and expected to start to making babies with a vengeance, all the strategic business plans for dealing with the demographic shift have been thrown out of whack. America has reason to cheer, though. Sources tell us that President Barack Obama has requested Rajini for a meeting where he would be seeking Rajini's advice on the economy and several other matters. While this has not been confirmed, reliable sources tell us Rajini might agree to a 30-minute meeting with Obama in Chennai later this month.
(Legal-type Disclaimer - this post is just a very inspired work of fiction. While it is no co-incidence that the people and incidents mentioned resemble those in real-life, you would have to be out of your mind to take any of it seriously. I take absolutely NO responsibility for any idiot thinking any of this is real, or taking offense to any of it, or acting in any manner influenced by it - especially after I've put in this disclaimer!)
Public reaction
Masses supporting the Jan Lokpal Bill erupted in celebration, knowing that the force was now with them, and there is no way the Jan Lokpal Bill could possibly be stopped now. People of all ages were seen dancing in the streets all over the country, to the tunes of "En Peru Padayappa", which is now the official theme of the anti-corruption movement. Responding to Thalaivar's call, the masses in Chennai also took to the streets, causing a 25-km-long traffic jam all the way from the Anna International Terminal to the Anna Arch in Anna Nagar, via Anna Salai. The symbolism was not lost on anyone.
It is expected that the focus of the movement will shift to Chennai over the next few days. This might discourage a few people who are traveling from far and wide to join the protest. Harkishan Singh from Karnal said, 'I'd like to fast with Anna, but Chennai is too far and too bloody hot. Besides, if I travel there, I'd want to be eating a lot of idli-dosa and sambhar, not fasting'. However, people aren't really worried about the movement losing steam. After all, they now have Rajini.
Govt response
PM Manmohan Singh and his senior cabinet ministers held an 'urgent meeting' of the 'special working committee' formed to 'diffuse an extraordinary situation, while maintaining the sanctity of parliament's sovereignty'. (While some thought the verbosity was a bit over the top, others explained it was a Congress tradition.)
Kapil Sibal spoke to the press afterwards. 'The govt is not worried', he asserted, 'since there is no problem. I explained several months back that the 2G scam didn't really happen. The govt didn't lose any money. My friend Digvijay Singh also told everybody later that Kalmadi and Chavan had to be innocent as it was his opinion. So, you see, there really isn't a corruption problem. Without a problem, there can be no protest. Without a protest, we have nothing to worry about'. He signed off with his typical glib guffaw.
This didn't surprise the reporters present too much, since Sibal has been giving the appearance of a man living in a totally different reality for a while now. Some reporters were, however, heard inquiring if anyone knew what Sibal was smoking these days, and where or how they might be able to get their hands on some of that shit.
When asked what the PM felt about the situation, Sibal said, 'Oh yes, that ol fart. He was mumbling something in one corner, but you know - who listens to him anyway?! We advised the PM not to get involved in this situation, so that he can later deny any knowledge of what happened and escape all responsibility. That way, the party can stick to our stand that PM Manmohan Singh is a man of integrity, not a dirty politician'. More glib guffawing.
A lot of Congress workers were looking where they always look for direction - towards Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Congress leader Ajit Jogi made yet another attempt at reviving his stuttering political career by calling for Rahul Gandhi to become the head of the Lokpal organization. 'I've been calling for Rahul-ji to take over the PM's post for a while now. However, seeing as how the PM will probably be under the Lokpal in future, I now feel Rahul Gandhi should take charge of the Lokpal as and when it materializes'.
Sources, however, have informed us that Sonia and Rahul may not be returning to India at all. With Rajini on the opposite side, they don't see the point of continuing in politics. And since neither of them has a college degree, they see no future for themselves in a country where even restaurant waiters and auto-rickshaw drivers these days have at least a Masters Degree obtained through a correspondence course. There are rumors that one of them - probably Rahul - may be appearing on a Donald Trump show in the USA, or the next season of Bigg Boss in India.
Other parties' response
The BJP has not so far said anything of significance - just the usual rhetoric about how the current government is incompetent and should never have been voted to power, back in 2004. Sources inform us that they are trying really hard to
A Left Front spokesperson informed us that the Politburo was busy studying communist literature for guidance about dealing with the current situation. They're sure 'Marx himself' and 'Lenin himself' must have said something relevant - since they knew it all and knew better than everyone else, but they've not had much luck finding anything useful thus far. In the meantime, they're opposing everyone and everything.
Mamata Bannerjee has decided to abstain when the Bill comes up for discussion. She believes some parties such as the BJP will be voting for the Bill, and she can't be on the same side. The Left will probably be voting against the Bill - and she can't be on their side either. When asked what her own view was, she rambled incoherently and loudly for a few minutes. The reporter thought he heard the word 'Bongol' 27 times in those few minutes, but couldn't understand what she meant. We tried to reach out to other leaders of the Trinamool Congress to clarify the party's stand, but soon realized that no one matches that description.
The BSP seems fine with any version of the Lokpal, as long as at least 49% of the new Lokpal jobs created are reserved for SC/ST and OBCs.
Bad news for the Indian Cricket Team
It was being heard in some corridors that the BCCI was working on plans to have
However, Rajini is not a 100% fit, having had a kidney operation in Singapore recently. With all the criticism the BCCI has received for rushing half-fit Zaheer and Sehwag back into action with disastrous results, and with Bhajji, Ishant and Gambhir also getting injured - BCCI did not want to take any chances with Rajini's fitness. There are also rumors that Munaf is injured - in spite of not playing any matches on the current tour - but the team is hiding his injury to avoid further embarrassment. In the last practice session, Munaf was seen just strolling around looking lost and uninterested and missing all catches and ground strokes that came his way. The team physio when asked about this dismissed suggestions that it had anything to do with an injury. 'That is all Munaf ever does anyway.'
There have been suggestions that Rajini might play cricket several times in the recent past, but with India being no 1 in Tests and winning ODI World Cup - and Chennai Super Kings also winning pretty much every tournament they play - there has been no need. In the current situation, Rajini might be
There have also been rumors of Rajini competing in the inaugural Indian F1 Grand Prix later this year, but the superstar has denied this, saying the cars are too slow to compete with him.
International Reaction
With Rajini taking an active interest in politics north of Chennai, a lot of significant international activity was witnessed. Pakistani troops began withdrawing from the LoC and other border areas. The Chinese also started withdrawing from Kashmir, Arunachal and other areas - including Tibet - though they were asking for a few free DVDs of past Rajini hits in return.
The Af-Pak conflict has also been resolved. A Taliban spokesperson, wearing the look of a defeated man, told this reporter that 'We were basically just scared shit-less. We've never carried out a terror strike in Chennai, even though it is the most accessible Indian metro for us - we could just send people from the Gulf to Kerala, and they wouldn't be noticed amidst all the human traffic on that route. But we didn't want to provoke Rajini. We thought we were secure in other places due to the language barrier, but alas - that is no longer the case. Our activities are based on misrepresenting the word of God to gullible young men, and asking them to go kill the infidels. But this model doesn't work when they start hearing from Rajini directly. If we try telling them that Rajini is also an infidel, they just get disillusioned with the whole thing and leave.'
US troops shall be returning home soon, and having learnt about Rajinikanth and Hindu-ism, it is expected that Diwali will supplant Christmas as the biggest American festival this year.
The riots in England and other European cities have also ended. The miscreants realize Rajini may be watching and have decided to 'mind it their behavior', for their own good.
Greece and Portugal have requested Rajini to help them sort out their economy and finances, but the superstar has not yet responded.
Butterfly Effect for Businesses
Over the past few years, most businesses had grudgingly accepted that the US population was getting older and they would have to adapt to survive and grow. A lot of 'strategic marketing consultant' types had been making a killing in the process. However, with so many US troops - mostly young men - returning from Af-Pak all of a sudden, all alive, and expected to start to making babies with a vengeance, all the strategic business plans for dealing with the demographic shift have been thrown out of whack. America has reason to cheer, though. Sources tell us that President Barack Obama has requested Rajini for a meeting where he would be seeking Rajini's advice on the economy and several other matters. While this has not been confirmed, reliable sources tell us Rajini might agree to a 30-minute meeting with Obama in Chennai later this month.
(Legal-type Disclaimer - this post is just a very inspired work of fiction. While it is no co-incidence that the people and incidents mentioned resemble those in real-life, you would have to be out of your mind to take any of it seriously. I take absolutely NO responsibility for any idiot thinking any of this is real, or taking offense to any of it, or acting in any manner influenced by it - especially after I've put in this disclaimer!)
Aug 19, 2011
Response to comments on the Anna Hazare post
A lot of people have reacted to my last post where I presented my views on the Anna Hazare situation, and implored them to think twice about what they do. I have seen a few common themes among the negative responses that I shall address here.
1. 'Anna was denied the right of effective protest', 'How can govt dictate where and when he protests', 'The restrictions were unreasonable'...
Sorry to be rude - but stop parroting what you hear on TV and use your own heads. The restrictions were for one particular venue. 5,000 is a significant number. And no matter how retarded someone is - 3 days is enough to make them understand whatever point you're trying to make. If Anna had accepted these conditions, would his points have become less valid? Would people not support him, as they're doing now? Could protests not be held simultaneously at multiple other venues, with smaller crowds, as is happening now? Does this need to go on indefinitely for any good to happen? Going by what I've heard on TV, there hasn't actually been a gathering of more than 5,000 people in any single venue - yet the movement has been bigger and more effective than what Anna would've realistically expected. So why was that essential in the first place?
The Delhi Police says they'd suggested other venues where bigger crowds could be accommodated, but Anna & team wanted this venue - because of the symbolism of JP Narayan, and its proximity to the Parliament. Political reasons. Delhi Police told him how many people he could gather, and how long he could stay at that venue, based on logistical considerations - as they have the authority to. Their authority is a fact, who's orders they were acting on etc. is speculation, and doesn't change the fact anyway. While the rule of law exists, you cannot do what the police has told you not to do. You don't have the right to disregard the law. If you think the conditions are unreasonable - go to court. Better still, if your intentions are genuine, just try and find workarounds.
Moreover, this 'right to protest' also has to have reasonable limits. Anna protested earlier, got the govt to a discussion table, made his suggestions about the Lokpal etc. The govt. took his inputs, and went ahead with a Bill they felt was right. The proper process has been followed, and the govt. is now acting within its rights. Anna is free to say what he likes and doesn't like, talk to political parties, contest elections... but he cannot go on a fast-unto-death, call on the masses to court arrest, talk about a second freedom struggle and coerce the govt. to do what he wants if he disagrees. Right now he's protesting the govt's decision to not present his version of the Bill in Parliament. Even if it is presented, in pretty much every conceivable scenario, it will be rejected by Parliament. Who is to say he will not resort to the same tactics then? In fact, if he really believes in his version, and refuses to accept the govt's decision not to present it - he will have to resort to the same tactics when Parliament rejects it. Otherwise, the whole drama will all have been pointless and hypocritical.
It's not about whether people think what he wants is right or wrong - he must act within the constitutional, democratic framework. Protest cannot be allowed to impinge on the rights of the govt and the parliament
2. 'Why should Anna obey the law', 'People of India support him, not the govt', 'We can make an exception given the circumstances', 'Quoting constitution is for politicians, not citizens' ...
This set of questions genuinely worry me, and the reason I'm taking a stand is that I feel people are ready to cross lines that must never be crossed. In India we have the 'rule of law' - which' is the most basic feature of a democratic, free country. Not the rule of kings, or dictators, or an army, or a religious body... but the rule of law. It took a lot of effort for our forefathers to get us here, and no matter how cynical one may feel - our system of democracy and constitution are regarded as one of the very best in the world. Look at our neighbors. Most would rather be in the situation we are in, than their own. Our parliamentary democracy, and our constitution - things that people are speaking of so lightly now - are the firm foundations of India as a free country where an Anna Hazare can even attempt what he's doing.
We can't lose perspective and throw all this away over Anna & a Jan Lokpal Bill. The rule of law is a fundamental principle that cannot be compromised, no matter how much popular support there is for a cause. In this regard, we must be - and I choose the word deliberately, given the context - incorruptible.
Keep in mind - the only alternatives to the rule of law are slavery or anarchy. For a population of more than a billion, that is a scary thought. If you feel I'm over-reacting when I mention anarchy, please listen to Anna's first video message - where he asks children to skip school/college, working people to take a few days leave - and fill up jails to the point where they cant accommodate any more people. All this for Parliament to take up his draft of the Jan Lokpal Bill. This would be textbook anarchy.
3. 'Someone has to do something, and Anna is doing it... we must support it'
'Someone has to do something' is a valid notion, but not a sound reason. It does not absolve you of the responsibility of distinguishing right from wrong. It is irresponsible to say we all must support Anna just because he's doing something. You should only support him if you believe he's doing the right thing. Don't just follow the herd - you're human, not cattle.
Think about Germany in the 1930's. A country paying a heavy price for defeat in WW1. An economy where Jews - somewhere between 10-25% of the population, controlled somewhere between 75-90% of the economic resources. I don't remember the exact figures, but they were in the range I've quoted. German non-Jews were frustrated by unemployment, poor quality of life, bleak future etc. The 'someone needs to do something' sentiment produced Adolf Hitler. You know what happened then.
Never mind distant history. Consider the Kashmiri people today. The region has been strife-torn for decades now, and life for them is nothing like the 'free, many opportunities...' story most of our lives have. A lot of them are disillusioned and disaffected. 'Someone needs to do something' is a widespread feeling there. A lot of people talk about a 'freedom struggle'. Some of these carry out terror attacks. Do you think they're justified in doing so?
Before anyone goes ballistic, let me explicitly say 'I AM NOT EQUATING ANNA WITH TERRORISTS'. Anna uses non-violent methods. So let's say, tomorrow, a large group claiming 'popular support' (locally within Kashmir, if not nationally) wants to peacefully fast-unto-death in New Delhi demanding secession of Kashmir from the Indian Union. I'm not being anti-national here. My father is an Army Officer - decorated for his contribution in Kargil - and I've witnessed the Kashmir situation first-hand. So, the scenario I'm sharing here is very realistic. How will you deal with that situation? Why should the standards be different?
My point here is not to equate Anna with Hitler or Kashmiri terrorists - it is only to say - support something for good, 'right' reasons. 'Someone has to do something' is not one, and without further considerations, can boomerang spectacularly.
4. 'We need a strong Lokpal', 'Govt is trying to pass a Jokepal Bill, we must ensure Anna's version goes through'.
Again - stop parroting whatever the media tells you. The Lokpal is NOT a magic pill. Anna's version is NOT perfect. Whether or not the PM or MPs should be included should be debated - but within the framework of a constitutional democracy - and either way - your life is NOT going to change too much. So, please stop making this a bigger deal than it really is.
These are just my opinions - I want a Lokpal, but I prefer the govt's version. The Judiciary should not be included. And if the Lokpal is to be effective, it's focus should be limited to Grade A officers. To create a body covering all govt employees from grades A to D - as Anna wants - is simply not practical. Nor is it even desirable - we do not want to create a whole 'parallel system', when the police, CBI etc. already exist. Lokpal will be much more effective as a small, high-impact, focused task force, rather than a large, parallel police organization. Also, remember that we - the taxpayers - have to finally bear the costs. I already hate paying to keep Air India afloat.
5. 'Why is only Anna being targeted', some points about Rahul Gandhi in UP and sec 144, and various arguments against the govts actions, questions about the legitimacy of the govt itself, including 'they only had 28% vote share'...
Let's be clear - I'm not endorsing all of the government's actions. Honestly, I was shocked when this govt came to power - in spite of the NDA doing good jobs in Pokhran, Kargil and with the economy. I was even more dismayed when they got re-elected in spite of a Lame-Duck PM, Mumbai 26/11, inflation etc. Keep in mind - most of the scams etc. that are coming to light now had happened during UPA-1. I am no fan of this govt, or the Nehru-Gandhi-Sycophant Party. But whether or not I like the govt, they have a mandate to govern and they have some powers - at least while they hold the majority in Parliament - and we all, inc Anna, have to respect that.
True, our elections may not be 100% free and fair, but the result does generally represent what the people want. Nobody has ever said that the process was so messed up that the wrong govt had come to power, against people's wishes!
It is also fallacious and irrelevant to use the stat that only 28% people voted for Cong. This does not mean the remaining 72% are all opposed to anything and everything the govt does. Whether or not this 'first past the post' system of electing representatives is the best or not - is a whole, separate discussion. All that matters right now is this is the way we elect governments, and unless the laws change, everyone has to work within this system and respect it.
In any case, even if I disagree or dislike some of the govt's actions, that doesn't mean I have to support Anna Hazare. My support and opinions are based on principles, not the people involved. My education has taught me to take decisions rationally.
As I don't agree with some of Anna's ideas or his methods, I refuse to support him. Whether others have been allowed to use similar methods elsewhere - these are the kind of arguments used in what we all call 'dirty politics'. We - the educated responsible citizens of India - have to set a higher standard, and not stoop to the same level of politics that we're disgusted by. Two wrongs do not make a right. We only support something if we genuinely believe it is right, not because someone else has done worse.
6. 'Armchair idealism achieves nothing', 'You're writing from an AC room. You should be out on the street', 'People like us never do anything, that's why things are getting worse'...
Since I published my post yesterday, it has been visited by nearly 1,700 people across 270 cities in 31 countries- and more than 450 of them have shared it further on Facebook. Some have endorsed the ideas, some have countered them - 100s of discussion threads have started, and - hopefully - a few opinions influenced. I don't see how this can be dismissed as 'doing nothing'. I also don't see how I - as an individual - being out on the street, holding a candle or shouting slogans could possibly have achieved more. This is not to say that we don't need feet on the street when there is a worthy cause. But to say that is all we need is akin to saying armies only need foot soldiers, no commanders or generals, no intelligence agents, no supply corps, no medical corps... Being physically inconvenienced doesn't make your point more valid, and doesn't necessarily achieve better results - not for everybody, at least.
When there is a cause I believe in, I might take to the streets - if I really believe it will achieve something and is the best course of action. In this case, I DON'T support Anna's version of the bill or his methods - so the question of 'doing more' does not arise.
To say 'people like us do nothing' is also ignorant & irresponsible, especially if it starts getting used as a reason to justify wrongdoing. I quoted the example of Takhat Singh Ranawat in my original post. Another friend of mine from IIT,M - Supreet Gulati, an Elec engineer with good grades etc (anyone who has been to IIT will know a person with such qualifications can do anything he wants) - is also working with the government. My ex-manager, Sudarshan Gangrade, is also an engineer from IIT KGP and MBA from IIM,B. He quit his job to volunteer full-time with the UIDAI. This is 3 people just from my friends circles - who can do anything - and have chosen to be part of the system and do good work. So, please don't get carried away with one Anna Hazare and dismiss a whole generation, especially those with education and means as 'people doing nothing.'
Personally, I feel what these guys are doing is more meaningful than being an activist. Activists typically make noise about problems, rather than create solutions. Most of their rhetoric is protest against something, rather than working for something. When they do offer solutions, they aren't necessarily good ones, nor do these people own up all the responsibility - just like this Jan Lokpal case. Working within the system takes much more patience and courage - like forming a party, contesting elections, running a government with all its machinery and constraints. It's much easier to just proclaim 'the system doesn't work' and then do whatever you please - taking shortcuts and breaking rules - but it is not better for the country in the long run.
7. 'You lack clarity of thought', 'You are ignorant', 'You're just trying to be different'...
This section ONLY for those who, for reasons best known to them, decided to make this personal and/or presume they know or understand me.
First of all, I don't understand why this discussion should be about me at all. It's about the issues, and while you're free to agree or disagree and express your views about the issues/points, you have neither the right, nor the information - to pass judgment on me as an individual. But since you have, I will respond.
It's easy to pass judgment on someone, and write a smug, sarcastic comment. You don't need any basis, logic, arguments, reasons or vocabulary. It doesn't earn you any respect, though. If you care enough about what is being discussed, and have the ability to articulate your views on the subject, please do so. I'm ready for an open debate. Are you?
For those questioning my ability to think, knowledge of facts etc. etc. - let me tell you a bit about who I am. I grew up in an Army family. Not in Delhi or Mumbai - but small towns like Gurdaspur, Siliguri... and moved every two years with my dad. I saw people die for this country. I accepted the possibility that my father may one day be one of them. Then I received an education at IIT Madras, followed by IIM, Lucknow. I have an IQ of 140, and advise Fortune-100 companies on marketing issues based on complex data analytics and consumer insights. If you want to comment on me or my abilities, let's first hear your credentials.
For those who think I was just trying to be different and capture airtime - neither is true. I have mentioned the communities I belong to above, and I wear the badges with pride and responsibility. I think for myself, and express my views honestly, making my best attempts to justify them with facts and reason. I have no need or desire to just 'be different'. Also, my blog is usually read by only about 50 people - who are mostly from within my friends' circle. I did not expect this post to be any different. I just consolidated my views on my blog, because explaining the same ideas over and over in multiple facebook discussions was going to be tedious. I never planned or expected to get this much attention, and I certainly wasn't 'pretending' among my friends. The fact that so many people have shared the post - and so many of the readers agree - is proof of its substance. That's what you ought to focus on.
1. 'Anna was denied the right of effective protest', 'How can govt dictate where and when he protests', 'The restrictions were unreasonable'...
Sorry to be rude - but stop parroting what you hear on TV and use your own heads. The restrictions were for one particular venue. 5,000 is a significant number. And no matter how retarded someone is - 3 days is enough to make them understand whatever point you're trying to make. If Anna had accepted these conditions, would his points have become less valid? Would people not support him, as they're doing now? Could protests not be held simultaneously at multiple other venues, with smaller crowds, as is happening now? Does this need to go on indefinitely for any good to happen? Going by what I've heard on TV, there hasn't actually been a gathering of more than 5,000 people in any single venue - yet the movement has been bigger and more effective than what Anna would've realistically expected. So why was that essential in the first place?
The Delhi Police says they'd suggested other venues where bigger crowds could be accommodated, but Anna & team wanted this venue - because of the symbolism of JP Narayan, and its proximity to the Parliament. Political reasons. Delhi Police told him how many people he could gather, and how long he could stay at that venue, based on logistical considerations - as they have the authority to. Their authority is a fact, who's orders they were acting on etc. is speculation, and doesn't change the fact anyway. While the rule of law exists, you cannot do what the police has told you not to do. You don't have the right to disregard the law. If you think the conditions are unreasonable - go to court. Better still, if your intentions are genuine, just try and find workarounds.
Moreover, this 'right to protest' also has to have reasonable limits. Anna protested earlier, got the govt to a discussion table, made his suggestions about the Lokpal etc. The govt. took his inputs, and went ahead with a Bill they felt was right. The proper process has been followed, and the govt. is now acting within its rights. Anna is free to say what he likes and doesn't like, talk to political parties, contest elections... but he cannot go on a fast-unto-death, call on the masses to court arrest, talk about a second freedom struggle and coerce the govt. to do what he wants if he disagrees. Right now he's protesting the govt's decision to not present his version of the Bill in Parliament. Even if it is presented, in pretty much every conceivable scenario, it will be rejected by Parliament. Who is to say he will not resort to the same tactics then? In fact, if he really believes in his version, and refuses to accept the govt's decision not to present it - he will have to resort to the same tactics when Parliament rejects it. Otherwise, the whole drama will all have been pointless and hypocritical.
It's not about whether people think what he wants is right or wrong - he must act within the constitutional, democratic framework. Protest cannot be allowed to impinge on the rights of the govt and the parliament
2. 'Why should Anna obey the law', 'People of India support him, not the govt', 'We can make an exception given the circumstances', 'Quoting constitution is for politicians, not citizens' ...
This set of questions genuinely worry me, and the reason I'm taking a stand is that I feel people are ready to cross lines that must never be crossed. In India we have the 'rule of law' - which' is the most basic feature of a democratic, free country. Not the rule of kings, or dictators, or an army, or a religious body... but the rule of law. It took a lot of effort for our forefathers to get us here, and no matter how cynical one may feel - our system of democracy and constitution are regarded as one of the very best in the world. Look at our neighbors. Most would rather be in the situation we are in, than their own. Our parliamentary democracy, and our constitution - things that people are speaking of so lightly now - are the firm foundations of India as a free country where an Anna Hazare can even attempt what he's doing.
We can't lose perspective and throw all this away over Anna & a Jan Lokpal Bill. The rule of law is a fundamental principle that cannot be compromised, no matter how much popular support there is for a cause. In this regard, we must be - and I choose the word deliberately, given the context - incorruptible.
Keep in mind - the only alternatives to the rule of law are slavery or anarchy. For a population of more than a billion, that is a scary thought. If you feel I'm over-reacting when I mention anarchy, please listen to Anna's first video message - where he asks children to skip school/college, working people to take a few days leave - and fill up jails to the point where they cant accommodate any more people. All this for Parliament to take up his draft of the Jan Lokpal Bill. This would be textbook anarchy.
3. 'Someone has to do something, and Anna is doing it... we must support it'
'Someone has to do something' is a valid notion, but not a sound reason. It does not absolve you of the responsibility of distinguishing right from wrong. It is irresponsible to say we all must support Anna just because he's doing something. You should only support him if you believe he's doing the right thing. Don't just follow the herd - you're human, not cattle.
Think about Germany in the 1930's. A country paying a heavy price for defeat in WW1. An economy where Jews - somewhere between 10-25% of the population, controlled somewhere between 75-90% of the economic resources. I don't remember the exact figures, but they were in the range I've quoted. German non-Jews were frustrated by unemployment, poor quality of life, bleak future etc. The 'someone needs to do something' sentiment produced Adolf Hitler. You know what happened then.
Never mind distant history. Consider the Kashmiri people today. The region has been strife-torn for decades now, and life for them is nothing like the 'free, many opportunities...' story most of our lives have. A lot of them are disillusioned and disaffected. 'Someone needs to do something' is a widespread feeling there. A lot of people talk about a 'freedom struggle'. Some of these carry out terror attacks. Do you think they're justified in doing so?
Before anyone goes ballistic, let me explicitly say 'I AM NOT EQUATING ANNA WITH TERRORISTS'. Anna uses non-violent methods. So let's say, tomorrow, a large group claiming 'popular support' (locally within Kashmir, if not nationally) wants to peacefully fast-unto-death in New Delhi demanding secession of Kashmir from the Indian Union. I'm not being anti-national here. My father is an Army Officer - decorated for his contribution in Kargil - and I've witnessed the Kashmir situation first-hand. So, the scenario I'm sharing here is very realistic. How will you deal with that situation? Why should the standards be different?
My point here is not to equate Anna with Hitler or Kashmiri terrorists - it is only to say - support something for good, 'right' reasons. 'Someone has to do something' is not one, and without further considerations, can boomerang spectacularly.
4. 'We need a strong Lokpal', 'Govt is trying to pass a Jokepal Bill, we must ensure Anna's version goes through'.
Again - stop parroting whatever the media tells you. The Lokpal is NOT a magic pill. Anna's version is NOT perfect. Whether or not the PM or MPs should be included should be debated - but within the framework of a constitutional democracy - and either way - your life is NOT going to change too much. So, please stop making this a bigger deal than it really is.
These are just my opinions - I want a Lokpal, but I prefer the govt's version. The Judiciary should not be included. And if the Lokpal is to be effective, it's focus should be limited to Grade A officers. To create a body covering all govt employees from grades A to D - as Anna wants - is simply not practical. Nor is it even desirable - we do not want to create a whole 'parallel system', when the police, CBI etc. already exist. Lokpal will be much more effective as a small, high-impact, focused task force, rather than a large, parallel police organization. Also, remember that we - the taxpayers - have to finally bear the costs. I already hate paying to keep Air India afloat.
5. 'Why is only Anna being targeted', some points about Rahul Gandhi in UP and sec 144, and various arguments against the govts actions, questions about the legitimacy of the govt itself, including 'they only had 28% vote share'...
Let's be clear - I'm not endorsing all of the government's actions. Honestly, I was shocked when this govt came to power - in spite of the NDA doing good jobs in Pokhran, Kargil and with the economy. I was even more dismayed when they got re-elected in spite of a Lame-Duck PM, Mumbai 26/11, inflation etc. Keep in mind - most of the scams etc. that are coming to light now had happened during UPA-1. I am no fan of this govt, or the Nehru-Gandhi-Sycophant Party. But whether or not I like the govt, they have a mandate to govern and they have some powers - at least while they hold the majority in Parliament - and we all, inc Anna, have to respect that.
True, our elections may not be 100% free and fair, but the result does generally represent what the people want. Nobody has ever said that the process was so messed up that the wrong govt had come to power, against people's wishes!
It is also fallacious and irrelevant to use the stat that only 28% people voted for Cong. This does not mean the remaining 72% are all opposed to anything and everything the govt does. Whether or not this 'first past the post' system of electing representatives is the best or not - is a whole, separate discussion. All that matters right now is this is the way we elect governments, and unless the laws change, everyone has to work within this system and respect it.
In any case, even if I disagree or dislike some of the govt's actions, that doesn't mean I have to support Anna Hazare. My support and opinions are based on principles, not the people involved. My education has taught me to take decisions rationally.
As I don't agree with some of Anna's ideas or his methods, I refuse to support him. Whether others have been allowed to use similar methods elsewhere - these are the kind of arguments used in what we all call 'dirty politics'. We - the educated responsible citizens of India - have to set a higher standard, and not stoop to the same level of politics that we're disgusted by. Two wrongs do not make a right. We only support something if we genuinely believe it is right, not because someone else has done worse.
6. 'Armchair idealism achieves nothing', 'You're writing from an AC room. You should be out on the street', 'People like us never do anything, that's why things are getting worse'...
Since I published my post yesterday, it has been visited by nearly 1,700 people across 270 cities in 31 countries- and more than 450 of them have shared it further on Facebook. Some have endorsed the ideas, some have countered them - 100s of discussion threads have started, and - hopefully - a few opinions influenced. I don't see how this can be dismissed as 'doing nothing'. I also don't see how I - as an individual - being out on the street, holding a candle or shouting slogans could possibly have achieved more. This is not to say that we don't need feet on the street when there is a worthy cause. But to say that is all we need is akin to saying armies only need foot soldiers, no commanders or generals, no intelligence agents, no supply corps, no medical corps... Being physically inconvenienced doesn't make your point more valid, and doesn't necessarily achieve better results - not for everybody, at least.
When there is a cause I believe in, I might take to the streets - if I really believe it will achieve something and is the best course of action. In this case, I DON'T support Anna's version of the bill or his methods - so the question of 'doing more' does not arise.
To say 'people like us do nothing' is also ignorant & irresponsible, especially if it starts getting used as a reason to justify wrongdoing. I quoted the example of Takhat Singh Ranawat in my original post. Another friend of mine from IIT,M - Supreet Gulati, an Elec engineer with good grades etc (anyone who has been to IIT will know a person with such qualifications can do anything he wants) - is also working with the government. My ex-manager, Sudarshan Gangrade, is also an engineer from IIT KGP and MBA from IIM,B. He quit his job to volunteer full-time with the UIDAI. This is 3 people just from my friends circles - who can do anything - and have chosen to be part of the system and do good work. So, please don't get carried away with one Anna Hazare and dismiss a whole generation, especially those with education and means as 'people doing nothing.'
Personally, I feel what these guys are doing is more meaningful than being an activist. Activists typically make noise about problems, rather than create solutions. Most of their rhetoric is protest against something, rather than working for something. When they do offer solutions, they aren't necessarily good ones, nor do these people own up all the responsibility - just like this Jan Lokpal case. Working within the system takes much more patience and courage - like forming a party, contesting elections, running a government with all its machinery and constraints. It's much easier to just proclaim 'the system doesn't work' and then do whatever you please - taking shortcuts and breaking rules - but it is not better for the country in the long run.
7. 'You lack clarity of thought', 'You are ignorant', 'You're just trying to be different'...
This section ONLY for those who, for reasons best known to them, decided to make this personal and/or presume they know or understand me.
First of all, I don't understand why this discussion should be about me at all. It's about the issues, and while you're free to agree or disagree and express your views about the issues/points, you have neither the right, nor the information - to pass judgment on me as an individual. But since you have, I will respond.
It's easy to pass judgment on someone, and write a smug, sarcastic comment. You don't need any basis, logic, arguments, reasons or vocabulary. It doesn't earn you any respect, though. If you care enough about what is being discussed, and have the ability to articulate your views on the subject, please do so. I'm ready for an open debate. Are you?
For those questioning my ability to think, knowledge of facts etc. etc. - let me tell you a bit about who I am. I grew up in an Army family. Not in Delhi or Mumbai - but small towns like Gurdaspur, Siliguri... and moved every two years with my dad. I saw people die for this country. I accepted the possibility that my father may one day be one of them. Then I received an education at IIT Madras, followed by IIM, Lucknow. I have an IQ of 140, and advise Fortune-100 companies on marketing issues based on complex data analytics and consumer insights. If you want to comment on me or my abilities, let's first hear your credentials.
For those who think I was just trying to be different and capture airtime - neither is true. I have mentioned the communities I belong to above, and I wear the badges with pride and responsibility. I think for myself, and express my views honestly, making my best attempts to justify them with facts and reason. I have no need or desire to just 'be different'. Also, my blog is usually read by only about 50 people - who are mostly from within my friends' circle. I did not expect this post to be any different. I just consolidated my views on my blog, because explaining the same ideas over and over in multiple facebook discussions was going to be tedious. I never planned or expected to get this much attention, and I certainly wasn't 'pretending' among my friends. The fact that so many people have shared the post - and so many of the readers agree - is proof of its substance. That's what you ought to focus on.
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