Anna Hazare

I am reproducing a couple of links below which struck me as very intresting vis-a-vis Anna's protest going on now.

Some people say the changes which Anna is suggesting won't bring about a difference and that a Lok Pal body won't succeed in eliminating corruption.They say there should be a change in attitude in the Indian public and they should stop encouraging corruption.

The CNN New Delhi correspondent brought out a valid point in that Anna's supporters were largely from the urban middle class which is the community which is largely affected by corruption. I diagree ; the middle class in any nation is the class which normally drives the public opinion, but the outcome of this protest affects every class.

Also there were some valid points brought about by Prasoon Joshi, Shabana Azmi and Suhel Seth in the CNN-IBN debate chaired by Barkha Dutt. Suhel Seth said the protest shows the strength of the Indian democracy and augurs well even though it may not amount to much in the end.

Prasoon Joshi rightly siad that Anna if not for anything else has succeded in awakening the Indian youth and in mainstreaming the debate against corruption. Shabana Axmi pointed out that if the movement does not lead to anything eventful then it will be a let down on the youth who participated in this campaign. Prasoon had mentioned earlier that the youth is largely uncorrupted than the rest, and I will agree with him.

Away from these talking points is the comparison the Indian media is making between Tehreek Square and Jantar Mantar. I beg to differ . There is no similarity. Egypt is not a democracy and they fought for a democracy by overthrowing Mubarak. We are working within the ambit of a democracy against corruption. Our situation is better.

I am reproducing Home Minister Chidambaram's admirable speech in Parliament:

http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/chidambaram-justifies-the-imposition-of-sec-144/208138

The Barkha Dutt "Buck Stops Here" discussion here:

http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/the-buck-stops-here/annas-campaign-india-interrupted/208274

CNN Coverage:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/08/18/india.hazare.corruption.strike/index.html