The Anna Effect...

If this article was written a few years back many would have thought it is about “Anna Kournikova” – the sizzling Russian beauty cum tennis star but this is indeed about Anna Hazare and his team members commonly referred to as Team Anna.

Majority of the news in the recent past was revolving around Team Anna and Baba Ramdev particularly in the backdrop of their anti corruption movement. It was great to see “the young India” coming ahead and supporting the moment. At the same time it brought to light a very important question – “Why was the support so less compared to last year”. There have been numerous theories to justify the claim particularly by the government, media and noted political activists.

In this article, I bring forward my opinion about the whole “Team Anna Movement”. It will be interesting to note that until last year I was supporting Team Anna including Anna Hazare, Arvind Kerjriwal, Kiran Bedi, Manish Sishodia particularly their views. Lately, I have started taking keen interest in the world around me and how it is dynamically changing every day.

The young crowd, however, are mixed in their opinion. I am glad to see that many young Indians are supporting the movement, but have we asked them why are they supporting the movement. It is interesting to note that most of them support for the “Cool Factor” associated with this movement. They feel they are a part of the “2^nd Independence Struggle”. They do not have an opinion of their own rather they feel “Anna Hazare”, “Arvind Kejriwal” and others are the future of New India as I call it and that they we will follow them blindly. This brings about an interesting question “Are we Blind”? I am not here to criticize what they say as at one point of time last year, I was supporting the movement to such an extent that I skipped office and participated in the movement.

It is difficult to be on the other side of the table where you are alone and the entire world has a different opinion. Some of my friends have even gone to the extent of saying “Are you supporting Congress (read Indian National Congress)”. First of all, I would like to justify, I am not supporting INC or BJP for that matter but yes I do not follow anyone blindly. I appreciate Team Anna for bringing a matter of deep concern for majority of Indians in public domain but I question their timing.

Today when I look at the chronology, why did Anna’s movement start right after the world cup despite the fact that the 2G report by the CAG was out in January. Did it take 4 months to create a POA or read the report or were they busy in supporting India in the world cup? I know most of you are so obsessed with Team Anna that you would just say that “It seems you are happy with corruption”. Can’t the “young Indians” introspect a bit and then support the movement?

Team Anna has changed a lot since last year. They were previously fighting for a single cause the Jan LokPal bill. They came out with their own songs about the Jan LokPal (it indeed had a catchy tune “Lokpal lokpal pass karo janlok pal”). They had mass support through the entire movement and according to them the media was singing to their tune (although it is wrong, media does not support anyone).

This year things have changed, along with the Jan Lokpal bill they have a new demand : SIT against 15 ministers that includes Hon’ble President of this young vibrant country (ironically he is old). Btw have you ever thought about the fact that majority of Indians are young but Indian leaders are quite old. (Although with the recent cabinet reshuffle the average age of the cabinet has come down but it is still in the 50's). According to various sources, there cannot be any proceedings against the President of this country while he holds the office. According to the constitution (although I have not read the constitution and plan to read it by the time I turn 40), he is immune from any criminal proceedings while he is in office. I do understand the fact that Team Anna are unhappy with the way things are going in our country but you cannot hold the government at ransom. I leave it on the readers to introspect before blindly supporting anyone.

I am not against Team Anna or Arvind Kejriwal's political party (as they call it) but they still have a long road to travel if they are to reach the Parliament. I will definitely support the party provided they answer other important issues i.e. their views on FDI, Unemployment, Population, Literacy, Maoism, Bilateral issues, etc. A political party cannot be formed on the sole objective of Jan Lokpal or Right to Education, etc.

Update: I am glad Anna Hazare has distanced himself from Arvind Kejriwal’s political ambition.

Update 2: Anna Hazare has decided not to vote for Aam Aadmi Party. 

Photo Credits: Midday