And so the Nation awakens…Again

             Till yesterday the one thing that I really want to get an answer for was ‘what happens after death?’ but now my most important curiosity is ‘which Congress leader decided to put Anna Hazare behind bars?’ It’s been more then 48 hours since Anna’s arrest and the way things are unfolding, this is turning out to be a mini version of ‘Operation Bluestar’ for the ruling Congress party, a sense of déjà vu.

            We are all aware of the social issues faced by different nations of the world. Be it Egypt, Libya, Bolivia, Algeria, China and the most recent being our former rulers. We witnessed how the lives were lost and properties damaged during the violent protests in the above countries. And then when you turn towards India, you see people across the socio-economic status, marching and agitating with candle light vigil, in peace not by vandalism or violence.

            Coming back to the point in question, how often have you seen an IIT student and a rural farmer protesting for the same cause (ex-cricket!!)? Anna and his intent of bringing transparency to the political system of India has done the unthinkable…united, India. Gone are the days when Young India would take a dictation from the Old Political India. India’s class of 2011 is different, or it seems, as of now. The ruling party has made a serious lapse of judgment, not just by arresting Anna, but by not being serious about the Jan Lokpal - Citizens' ombudsman bill.

            I, just like most Indians, am totally behind Anna and his team who are fighting to bring accountability to the political leadership. But at the same time, we must keep in mind the ‘limits’ of the bill. The first, and foremost being the ‘selection’ of the committee members to oversee the ‘elected representatives of the people’. True, the current crop of Lokpal leaders are the best in there class but what assurance do we have that the next bunch will have the same work ethic? What if the next committee member is a product of corruption? What then? Wait for another Anna Hazare or create one more super committee?

            Think about it…in the mean time, as expected the opposition party’s have grabbed the Golden opportunity of supporting Anna, with both hands, after all ‘An Enemy’s, enemy is indeed a Friend”!!