Anna’s Apolitical Agitation
India Against Corruption’s crusade for passage of the Lokpal bill created an unprecedented movement across India. Fast unto death called by social activist Anna Hazare from April 5 to 9 attracted the apolitical Indians. Janta glued to their TV sets to find out what’s happening next?
For the first time in post independent Indian history, people from varied backgrounds came to the streets to participate in a protest for which they were not even paid a penny. And, surprisingly the protestors were from both affluent and downtrodden backgrounds.
Increasing corruption in the public system was the cause for which the crusade was on. Members of the civil society demanded the draft of a strong Lokpal Bill, which could act as a deterrent against corruption.
The existing structure of the Lokpal Bill happens to be toothless tiger. Even this toothless bill had been pending in files since past 40 years. The Bill was introduced several times in the parliament between 1968-2011, but our insincere MPs failed to pass it.
The civil society members demanded formation of a Joint Lokpal Panel to draft an effective Lokpal Bill. In the initial two days of protest, govt seemed to be adamant on not including civil society members in the Lokpal panel. However, the mounting pressure by media, growing support from Aam admi and threat of having a negative impact in upcoming state elections compelled the govt to accept protestors demand. On April 9, 2011, govt made a gazette notification mentioning that five members from the civil society would be part of the ten members Lokpal Panel, which would comprise of five other cabinet ministers. The committee is be headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and co-chaired by civil society member Shanti Bhushan. Also agreeing to the time frame for the passage of the bill, govt assured that it would be introduced in the monsoon session of the Parliament.
Since then the members of the committee have been meeting from time to time amidst heating controversies. Anna Hazare’s team has declared that if the bill is not passed by August 15, then India may witness another nationwide people’s movement.
For the first time in post independent Indian history, people from varied backgrounds came to the streets to participate in a protest for which they were not even paid a penny. And, surprisingly the protestors were from both affluent and downtrodden backgrounds.
Increasing corruption in the public system was the cause for which the crusade was on. Members of the civil society demanded the draft of a strong Lokpal Bill, which could act as a deterrent against corruption.
The existing structure of the Lokpal Bill happens to be toothless tiger. Even this toothless bill had been pending in files since past 40 years. The Bill was introduced several times in the parliament between 1968-2011, but our insincere MPs failed to pass it.
The civil society members demanded formation of a Joint Lokpal Panel to draft an effective Lokpal Bill. In the initial two days of protest, govt seemed to be adamant on not including civil society members in the Lokpal panel. However, the mounting pressure by media, growing support from Aam admi and threat of having a negative impact in upcoming state elections compelled the govt to accept protestors demand. On April 9, 2011, govt made a gazette notification mentioning that five members from the civil society would be part of the ten members Lokpal Panel, which would comprise of five other cabinet ministers. The committee is be headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and co-chaired by civil society member Shanti Bhushan. Also agreeing to the time frame for the passage of the bill, govt assured that it would be introduced in the monsoon session of the Parliament.
Since then the members of the committee have been meeting from time to time amidst heating controversies. Anna Hazare’s team has declared that if the bill is not passed by August 15, then India may witness another nationwide people’s movement.
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