Scam after scam being unearthed, money totalling into billions known to be swindled. Money which people like our fathers and mothers pay as taxes to this government, money like that paid by you every time you watch a movie or every time you eat a pizza. It seemed like there wasn't even one avenue which wasn't dug up by these corrupt machines.
And then came Anna. Like a shining beacon, guiding that energy, that dissatisfaction of the people towards their politicians, into something constructive. Something called CHANGE. Few people understood this change, me included, but almost all wanted it. The status quo was so bad that it seemed better was the only way things could move. People rallied with Anna. Me included. We said down with the hubris of politicians. We want a body who can investigate independently. We want the Jan Lokpal. To attack this cancer of a government Anna went on a fast unto Death. We all believed in Mahatma, still do, have always abused him, still did. Fasts, silent marches, candle light vigils, the works. The results were splendid. The government baulked. People were ecstatic. Time passed, the government evaded the bill and is now trying to make it impotent. Anna has understood this. He says he is going on a fast again if by Aug 15th nothing is done about this. But that's besides the point.
All this while people were being vocal of their support for Anna. There were some who disagreed with his tactics. They were countered by saying: "COME ON now..!! This is the Gandhian way. If we don't do this the politicians will never listen to us". I thought so too. And I said so too. On facebook, on Twitter, with people during coffees and lunches. I too went and lit candles.
And then Baba Ramdev happened.
And everything changed.
Baba Ramdev, scantily clad in saffron, showing his hirsute body on TV, encouraging people to do Yoga. Yoga is good for the body, proven. Millions follow him. Take his "Ayurvedic" medicines in the hope that their diabetes, their failing kidneys will get better than new. But is his bhasma, churan really going to cure 3rd stage cancer? Some quantity of ash curing terminal patients with GENETIC diseases? I am a student of Science and these claims are just hogwash for me.
This self proclaimed godman with a business empire worth hundreds of crores wanted to open a political party some time back. We should have been alerted then itself that the power this person holds has already corrupted him.
This man now resurfaced, in style, walking down a private jet, meeting none other than the PM of this country. Threatening he will go on a hunger strike if all the black money hoarded outside is not brought back. Good cause. Would have been better if the cause hadn't been about money but any cause out of about the 100 other equally important issues, but whatever, good cause, seemingly. In short the demand wasn't met, he went on a hunger strike, didn't have to wait too long, 'cause the police broke this peace protest in the dead of the night and caused absolute mayhem.
Ramdev is now hogging as much of the 'limelight' media time as possible in print, tv, news, whatever. When the media did not follow him to Haridwar, he went to them to Noida. He now addresses 'his brothers' in the media rather than the people in his rallies.
Godman? Yoga Guru? Or a powerful man with an agenda? You decide, because you can decide now, since its a democracy, tomorrow if someone holds a fast unto death against your decision then you wont even be able to decide anything then. Like our flaccid government cant decide anything now. Its besides the point that it couldn't decide anything anyway, either because of the coalition threats or because of some other reasons.
Anna unfortunately supports Ramdev and so they are now anna and ramdev. These are the leaders of the revolution people want.
I wonder was it like this during independence? Which leader of the 1900s was even remotely similar to any of our present leaders? If the present leaders lead us into a revolution then what will be the purpose of that revolution? Is anyone clear about that? Do not say corruption, because the present leaders are ALREADY corrupt, like our hairy baba.
Real change cannot be brought about by changing people, but by replacing people. Replacing a corrupt leader with an honest leader is change. Forcing corrupt leaders to not be corrupt via a Jan Lokpal is not change, its calibration, manipulation, adjustment. Replacement of leaders in our democracy occurs every 5 years. Unless leaders who are not corrupt, have integrity, are honest and do care about this country stand up for elections, and we elect them, there's going to be no change. Currently no such leader stands up, but then we all don't vote either. Saying there's no good leader. And I don't blame you. I don't vote either.
What is happening now, people following blindly, as they always do, some man who has set out to 'blackmail' (sic) the government, will only result in the destruction of our democracy.
We desperately NEED real leaders, not the ones who will eventually turn corrupt but the ones who will have the integrity to see this country through whatever comes its way during their tenure. We NEED to elect them, we NEED to Vote. I now realise that holding candles is really not going to help at all.
Change can be for the good but it may as well be for the bad. Be Aware.
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