Yesterday was a very sad day. Just on 15th August we celebrated our Independence Day- a day when we got free from the harsh Colonial rule.
And the very next day we lost our freedom yet again. The Anna Hazare arrest has shocked everybody. Isn’t this bad...a politician can give derogatory speeches before election, but a 74 year old civilian cannot even protest in peace. Are the laws different for common men and politicians? If yes, then why do we call India a democratic nation?
I never supported the Jan Lokpal Bill because somehow the idea of bringing the PM and Supreme Court under the scanner did not appeal to me. Also, the PM and CJI are not elected by the people of the country...we only choose a winning party. It is the winning party then, which decides who should be the PM and the cabinet ministers. So, basically we do not really have the right to prosecute them. There might be more loopholes too...which only my lawyer pal like Neha can explain.
So what should we do?
1. Firstly, we must understand that we have the power to vote. But by voting...I don’t mean just standing in the long queue, getting your nail inked and punching the buttons against any party. By voting I mean studying the agenda that they present before you...checking their credentials etc. I know it is a very tough and time consuming task...but definitely a little research would not hurt.
Just check how the residents of Juhu had elected an independent candidate named Adolf as their corporator during the last BMC elections. Needless to say, he has done a lot for Juhu. Now, other areas too are taking lessons from Juhu for the next BMC elections.
2. Tata tea had come up with a brilliant caption two years back, which said ‘woh khate hain kyunki hum khilate hain’...isn’t that true? Stop bribing officials for everything. Getting a license, ration card or passport is our right and no one can deny it. I know it is a long battle, you may lose a lot...but in a way you are helping your nation in fighting corruption.
3. India has an Act called the RTI Act. It means you have the right to seek information from the government bodies in case of delay/irregularities in their functioning. Again, the procedure is long and even the response is vague or delayed...but there is no harm in filing it. At least it would make the governing bodies sit up and do their work properly. I would suggest that you use the existing laws rather than just fighting without understanding a word about the bill.
Use the existing laws, try to be patient and fight the system with patience...bunking offices and colleges or mouthing anti government slogans will not work. Of course, now the government is scared of our anger...but still please do not disrupt normal life under the pretext of protesting.
Tell me honestly, don't we pay traffic police, telephone wala and god knows who all to get our work done? I know even if this law gets passed, people will not use it. We have never filed for a RTI or a PIL...do u think we will use this one? I am sure we won't. The best solution is what Narayan Murthy said...Legalize Bribery.
8 comments:
Well I have a better way KILL THEM ALL.. problem solved and the next bunch we choose as you say .. :) that will work out better .. because till these cockroaches are alive they will keep interferring .. Like the BJP they are going on and on and on .. yet when they wee in power they made equal amount of money...
True we shud not give ot get our work done but then How will the work get done, its ok we dont give they wont do the work ... something ot think about ..
Totall understand that even if this law gets passed I doubt if it will change much.. TILL we do something about it .. If the people want We dont need this law to change our country the problem is we all have hidden agendas and once our work is done the rest can go to hell :) we got to get out of that agenda ..
a lovely write up and good to see you back after long :) how you doing ..
Bikram's
Your lawyer friend has raised the same questions too. Yes we can elect the party but not the PM, but the party will not risk its position by appointing a dumbhead as PM!
My latest post talks about what you are trying to say. Abusing politicians will never ever help. I have the same worry - how can you have someone above PM or SC? That too without conducting proper election? Isn't it killing the democracy? And we cry about Anna's arrest!
Our Government might have malitious motives behind his arrest, but it was in a way a good step. Nobody can fast and get their demands approved from the government. Do we realize what this will result into? Jan Lokpal is not the ultimate solution for the corruption problems. If the Lokpal becomes corrupted, to kya karoge?
Politics is a job and not a power. The day our Government realizes it, things will change. The day we stop paying bribes for every damn thing, things will change. I have blogged about these things twice already!
...@Bikram..
lolz..
Roaches ...kill them ...USE insect repellent ..
I hope it brings new light to the country!
Well, I just posted exactly the same thing in my blog. Agree with u completely. We need to have trust in our democratic system.
I like how you care. I have bribed for various reasons, so I won't act like a saint and say they are the only ones to be blamed. I see a lot of young people taking to the streets and rallying, but most of them are doing that just coz they thinks it's cool, and that they can update on FB or Twitter about their "achievement". I appreciate the enthu, but I think it's misdirected. With half the people not even knowing what they are "fighting" for, the signs don't look promising.
Gayathri,
Very sensible post except last part about legalizing corruption. What we need to do as you say about casting our vote with care and strengthen the present laws. CVC be made like CEC and made accountable. The trial of cases relating to corruption should be made time bound. Political interference into working of investigative agencies be totally stopped. And most of all HUMAIN KHILAANAA CHHODNAA CHAHIYE.
Take care
Since you raise an issue on a public platform , which affects us all, I presume my intervention would not be unsolicited ...
Regarding your first point on the Right to vote in a democracy, will it not be a little helpful if people study the manifestos of various political factions , before deciding on casting the ballot? Will it not be better if people try and find out the public works implementation record of the various candidates who are contesting the elections , prior to voting or rejecting them ?
Regarding RTI, there has to be a proper Whistleblowers Protection Bill approved by the parliament, before any of us citizens can even think of utilising it to the maximum extent. This would ensure that RTI activists are not harassed or troubled in any way. The CVC which is the guardian authority, is sometimes unable to give adequate safety to the activists . Since the inception of the RTI act in 2005, it is a provision of tremendous importance given to the citizens by the Govt., which should definitely be utilised on all aspects, right from issues on the union lists , state lists , concurrent lists , upto issues concerning us all in everyday life.
Regarding the Anna Hazare and IAC issue, instead of campaigning is an unconstitutional way , why dont we try to induct The Right to Recall, Referendum (plebiscite) etc. through constitutional amendments as per the need of the hour .
Mr.Adolf D'Souza , corporator from Juhu , may have done a lot for his ward , but unfortunately his popularity is declining by the hour and resdidents of his ward are themsellves not too happy with his performance. Politicallly backed corporators can also be good functionaries , discharging their duties optimally as per requirements of the residents / citizens . They also do have a good record .
Really nice issues raised by you on your blog .
Am hoping my comments are taken by you in the right spirit .
Thank you.
Hi Anand,
Thanks for ur views and welcome to my blog.
Step by step reply for whatever you have written:
Regarding your first point on the Right to vote in a democracy, will it not be a little helpful if people study the manifestos of various political factions , before deciding on casting the ballot?
*Exactly what I say. One has to do their homework before voting. Might be a hard task, but that's worth it.*
Regarding RTI, there has to be a proper Whistleblowers Protection Bill approved by the parliament, before any of us citizens can even think of utilising it to the maximum extent. This would ensure that RTI activists are not harassed or troubled in any way.
*Totally agree with u on this*
Politicallly backed corporators can also be good functionaries , discharging their duties optimally as per requirements of the residents / citizens .
*The Adolf report card was published in mumbai mirror, weeks after I posted this article. Till then I considered him to be a very nice guy. I have lost faith in politically backed corporators...but will vote for the right candidate in the next election*.
Thanks once again for sharing your views with us :)
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