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Jan Lokpal- The Real Challenge August 21, 2011

Today is 6th day of fasting by the Anna and his supporters. Am I one of them? Frankly speaking I don’t know. Knowing Indian system and its chai-paani entrenched approached towards its way of implementing things that it is theoretically expected to do, I see a long long way ahead that needs to be covered. These protests, fasts are are only good enough till they last. And now the question is how long would this really last? The enthused support from all quarters of the society over longer period of time, say for an year at least, should be visibly felt by the Government. And how it would be done is going to be a really big challenge. Following are couple of  issues that need to be addressed by proactive planning to avoid the derailment of this well conceived, accelerated and well supported anti-graft movement in post independence liberalised India:

1) Effective passing of Jan Lokpal:

The very fact that the both parties are now ready to reach the golden mean is something to cheer about. Finalising the draft would again see few more, if not more, rounds of heart burns for both sides. Hopefully this is not taken advantage off to create the chaos and dilute the draft. Once the bill is drafted, the discussion in both the houses would be interesting to note as this can again play a spoil sport for the severity of the bill. And if refuted, again it would lead to another phase of renegotiation between Anna and the Government. The time would be required or rather deliberately taken by the parties having vested interest in the failure of the bill.

Having passed the hurdle of being passed finally in Parliament and being enacted as law, the care needs to be taken to watch out every step that is being taken regarding the amendments that may be waiting in wings to blunt the anti-graft bill’s teeth.

2) Implementation of Jan Lokpal:

Once the anti-graft bill becomes an enforceable law, the continuous monitoring is required. And for this to be done effectively, there has to be a non-systemic organisational body constituting of core group of individuals dedicated to oversee the effective implementation of Jan Lokpal. This body should be working parallel to Governments effort to execute it effectively. And in case of doubt it should ask Government to furnish the requisite details to clear the air.

This should be an ongoing process, the legacy that has to be percolated to every section of the society in it’s right spirit. Dripping into every household, trying to stir the emotive self of every parent, so that the next generation could be shaped in it’s very essence. Essence of being right, to be fearless, to prosper in level playing field and to be honest with oneself and people around. This opportunity can be also grabbed to seal the communal differences slicing our society. Bringing people together, binding them by common bond irrespective of their regional, communal, ethnic backgrounds for generations to come. This is the responsibility every supporter of this movement should be ready to take. This is the commitment that everyone lending their support,should be willing to walk down aisle with.

This would be real success for Anna and all the people who want a corruption free India. The day it happens, that would be the day, we can hold our heads high and see India win it’s most important war in it’s independent age.

AMEN!!!