by B. R. GOWANI
Social activist Anna Hazare PHOTO/Ishan Tankha/Open
Contradictions
Contradictions have always been a part of human life and are going to be there until we’re on this planet. When the advanced technology permits homo sapiens to move to other planet(s), perhaps different gravity and environment of the new habitat may lead us to evolve further. The evolution of the future generations beyond earth will be good or bad is hard to predict. But till then, things are going to stay the same.
Coming back to contradictions, some of them are so bizarre that your mental faculty simply refuses to entertain them. But there are instances where a serious thought may unravel the bizarreness and the contradiction disappears. One such example is that of the United States government, especially the two of the three branches (the executive and the legislative), which constantly talks about minimizing the “government”, that is, itself.
Corruption in the US
One may wonder why would the US government want to reduce itself when the corporations are on an expanding spree. However, once you realize what they want to reduce is not their size nor the wealthfare offered to the wealthy in form of subsidies and enactment of laws which favors them, but the welfare programs for the common people, your astonishment ends.
Because then you know that it is the corruption aspect which makes them say things which common sense refuses to accept. The corporations want everything to be privatized except those parts of government which provides them security and the one which helps them to empty the government coffers through favorable laws. Some of the people may be part of the wealthy class and also that of the government.
There is rampant corruption in the US in the name of campaign and other contributions; but most of it is restricted to the upper echelons of the government. At the lower level, people usually don’t face barriers when they go for driver or business licenses, or other such things. There may sometimes be delays but usually the matters are resolved.
Corruption in India
Whereas corruption in India (and many other countries, including Pakistan) at all levels is so unhindered that at every step of life you have to bribe government officials to get your work done. This has made the lives of common people miserable. Their frustration recently found an outlet in a 74 year old social activist Anna Hazare.
Kisan Baburao Hazare
Anna Hazare has done some notable things but his methods are dictatorial and punishments are Taliban-like. He himself flogged three drunk men with his army belt (after they were tied to the temple pillars) for breaking his no drinking order. He defends himself in these words:
“Rural India is a harsh society.” “If you want change, it’s sometimes necessary to be tough.”
His toughness knows no bounds. He favors hanging and mutilation, and is not averse to violence. Besides M. K. Gandhi, he also draws inspiration from the 17th century Maratha ruler, Chhattrapati Shivaji.
Hazare’s idea of violence: “That is why I have said that, today, in many things, along with Gandhi we have to look towards Shivaji. [Unclear] Patel committed a mistake, and Shivaji had the man’s hands cut off. This policy of Chhatrapati, in many ways, we have to think about. Hundred per cent non-violence is not possible. Sometimes, even this has to be done, and that is why I have been saying that these people should be hanged…”
Anna means “brother” in some Indian languages, but Anna Hazare is more like a Big Brother.
Another scary thing about him is his coziness with the communalists.
Hazare’s popularity
Hazare has become very popular in India and the Bollywood is always there where there are cameras. Many stars have shown their support for Hazare. One of the top male stars Aamir Khan also joined him on stage and sang a song from one of his movies. There are talks of making films on Hazare’s life. There are rumors that Aamir Khan is planning one too. Another top male star Shahrukh Khan showed his support in a general way without going to any of Hazare’s meetings. His proximity to Sonia Gandhi may be the reason. Amitabh Bachchan did the same thing. None of them have said anything about Hazare’s authoritarian attitude.
Only people like actress Shabana Hashmi, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, and Javed Akhtar have questioned Hazare’s tactics.
Are governments the only culprits?
In any country, when an ordinary person has to pay bribe to get a passport or ID or any other document then there is no denying that the government is the culprit. But when it comes to big businesses who don’t hesitate to pay millions in bribes to get licenses which can then mint billions for them, the culprits are the big tycoons too.
In case of India, the recent scandals where the big tycoons, the lobbyists, especially Nira Radia, and the ministers were involved, it is clear that the entire blame can’t be laid at government’s feet.
Easy targets
But governments are comparatively easy targets to attack. Would Hazare, forget doing, even think of going on hunger strike in front of Mukesh Ambani’s house or Rattan Tata’s house urging them to stop giving bribes to the government officials and to not indulge in any illegal activities? No. He is clever enough, like Gandhi, to not initiate anything which is not only impossible but can lend him into trouble.
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com