..the extent to which we went wrong

Egypt, Libya and other countries might have witnessed a mass agitation against an INDIVIDUAL. But the civil society movement, against an ISSUE, which India witnessed in the recent past or witnessing today, is unique and sui generis. Some equated it with Jai Prakash’s movement and a few emotionally called it as a ‘second freedom struggle’ for the nation. And there is nothing to dispute if anyone have seen the way the people of country behaved.

On hunger strike and talking to National mediasPhoto courtesy: Jitendra Choudhary

We have participated in the first phase of crusade and are watching, very neutrally, the second phase which Swami Ramdev is leading today. We are neither here to justify his cause nor are part of the smear campaign. When govt is overreacting on his fast and he is getting VVIP treatment; there is nothing to be amazed about. Yes! Govt learned the lesson from history or Anna’s movement in specific. But citizens of this country is definitely surprised when today morning Hazare came up and announced that he will join Baba Ramdev's protest fast in Delhi on June 5.

When the national media is running the show of Civil Society Leadership and division among them, Anna’s step is definitely welcoming. But the justification which he gave to the nation, appears to be absurd. He lashed out at the Centre saying that the government has tried to cheat civil society members on the Lokpal bill and tried to sabotage the Lokpal panel.  

Here, I don’t understand how govt cheated? We asked for notification, govt did; we wanted panel, govt oblidged; we wanted PM and CJI to include under Lokpal, govt discussing it. Kiran Bedi said yesterday that there is no problem govt taking time. After all democracy is a govt by debate and discussion. What’s wrong in it and where govt cheated us?

Yes! There was conflict and controversy over membership from civil society. The issue of father son duo arised… But who raised it? It is Baba Ramdev and the nation and there is nothing wrong. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion may it be divergent. Secondly, the CD case... Is Anna trying to say that was govt sponsored? I don’t know it might be. But Truth should always see the light no matter when and where.

Am not in full agreement with Vinod Metha but the question remains, when civil society is working with the govt why this Ramdev fast then? Can the Blackmoney be brought with someone fasting? After all we have to give time to the govt. Agreed! they have not done what they should have done and Hon’ble Supreme Court is also annoyed but we have to be realistic. We should allow National debate and help in institution building.

The second most important is that of Lokpal issue. Our dead line was Aug 15, so why this step now? There are 28 more days to June 30^th. Don’t you think civil society doing something which they shouldn’t do now?

Let’s come to the issue of panel now. The objective behind the formation of panel was to debate and discuss on the matters of Lokpal mutually and prepare a draft. Objective was not to impose the society’s draft as the Panel’s draft. Both side have to compromise and ensure which suits the best. When civil society is taking the view of the citizens, govt is equally entitled to. Moreover govt has said that they will get back to them by June 6. Here Arvind Kejriwal threatening to leave the discussion is horrible and is not done. There might be differences of opinion on the so called “issue of divergence” but dialogue must continue. We understand the spirit of civil society (Now or Never) but we have to behave reasonably and not do something for which citizens have to burden their blogs writing all these...