I knew it was a sham since it all began in April this year. The dramatic speeches, promises of eradicating corruption in no time, patriotic bhajans and songs and lastly-- fooling naïve Indian citizens. The anti-graft movement led by so called Gandhian Anna Hazare always talks about Gandhian principles and following the path of non-violence but in reality they don’t have the strength or brains to walk the talk.
It all started in the Ramlila Maidan in August this year when Hazare began round two of his fast against the government demanding a strong Lokpal Bill to tackle corruption.
As days passed by the police presence around the grounds increased and the two stooges of Hazare, who in fact are the engines running the whole show-- Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi feared a possible police crackdown— similar to the one which resulted in the forceful eviction of Baba Ramdev from the same ground weeks earlier.
So, on one particular evening when the police presence was the maximum in the area, sacred to death they quickly informed Hazare about the developments outside. Surprisingly, the non-violence lover Hazare jumped out of seat and haunted by the sight of lathis crashing on him asked the young volunteers to guard the entry gates and stop any policemen if he tries to enter.
Apparently, excitement and fear got the better of this Gandhain who without thinking about the consequences ordered his minions to retaliate.
Thanks to the Home Ministry no such order was passed and followed by Delhi Police. Otherwise one can imagine what would have happened that night? Thousands of youths colliding with armed police personnel. Terrible.
Delhi hospitals would have seen a deluge of Rajabalas (The lady who died after sustaining critical injuries on her spine and head when police lathi charge the Ramlila Maidan during cutting short Ramdev’s agitation against black money).
Though Hazare took back his words the following day which had made no difference had the police stepped inside the maidan.
Now last week Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan was attacked by some activists of Shri Ram Sene and Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena on his remarks advocating a plebiscite in Kashmir.
Although I don't agree with Bhushan but I believe that bashing someone because he doesn't agrees with you is totally wrong. This is India not China.
But as soon as the attacker was done with Bhushan, his friends and supporters bashed the attacker as he was taken away by police blood oozing out from his nose and lips. I am not defending anybody here but was that right? Isn't that what Gandhi called 'an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind'.
Same thing happened in Lucknow yesterday when a slipper was hurled at Kejriwal. The attacker was bashed and his clothes torn by the 'bodyguards' of Kejriwal who he lovingly calls volunteers of India Against Corruption.
So, in both the cases every action had an equal and opposite reaction.
Even if we believe that the 'supporters' of these 'anti-corruption warriors' were angered and in the heat of the moment they kicked some butt. Shouldn't Bhushan and Kejriwal apologise? After all according to them they are not corrupt, lead a very honest and simple life and are followers of Gandhi. This much is surely expected of them.
But the kind of aura that Team Anna has now. not many will ponder over this sad reality. Even if they do they shall dismiss it. All because they are hopeful that someone will come forward to end corruption which is in fact a foolhardy because the fact is that no society can survive solely on honesty.
We need lies and corruption to work and maintain relations. The amount may vary. We are willing to shell out Rs. 100 if we have been stealing electricity with the help of a faulty electrical metre i.e. it is convenient to us.
In the end I would just like to add the whole anti-graft movement and Team Anna has been successful in fooling this nation.
Main bhi Anna tu bhi Anna gaate gaate, poore desh ko mast topi pehnayi hain.
