While I was jaunting through the recent issues to commence my blog with , the most illuminated issue seemed to me were the string of Satyagrahas that eventuated in our country within the last few days.
With Kisan Baburao Hazare aka Anna Hazare emerging in the media forefront with his Ahimsa protest against the prevailing corruption in our country, the silent protest indeed attained the phenomenal success. The fast unto death protest of this 72 year old demanding the enactment of comprehensive law like Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's Ombudsman Bill) not only attract the widespread media attention but also waged the country by storm of protest shows. Indeed it was a successful endeavor. With social activists like Kiran Bedi & Shabana Azmi pouring in support, the Hazare satyagraha received the much needed impetus to quiver up the government from its deep slumber. The resignation of Agricultural Minister Sharad Pawar reinforced the faith of millions in this country towards the effectiveness of satyagraha movements even in this generation. Although initially the countrymen rejoiced the success of Hazare Sayagraha, yet the celebrations were not long lasting.
Success quotient: There arises my question. With all sort of hue and cries raised in favour of the protest followed by its success, presently dark cloud are pondering over the proper intentions of the government. Will the demand that was made for the Lokpal committee being constituted as an independent outlet for investigating into the matters pertaining to corruption would ever attain a real implementation? Will they get proper legislation or will the remain to act like a popper to the government machinery? This remains to be a question unresolved. Thus the present status quo is that the developments towards the committee has reached a situation of bottle neck. Will it ever make it through the narrow lane remains to be seen and witnessed.
What followed next : What followed Anna's satyagraha is quite superficial. Yog Guru Ramdev Baba tried his luck in raising similar demands, but he met with utter failure. Neither could he mobilise a lot many countrymen to support him nor the intellectual quarter of the society considered extending their support. Instead there were many to criticise his stand. His demand for confiscating the black money hoared in Swiss bank seemed both herculean and child like at the same time. While Anna chose the famous jantar- mantar in Delhi to be his site for protest, Baba stuck to his very familiar Delhi's ramlila maidan. The site chosen by baba indeed witnessed a lot. From baba getting pulled down forcibly , to exploding tear gas shells. Yet Baba's fast had to end bitterly without being able to muster quite many supports. Its not that I am condescending Baba's status or his intentions. but the question remains the same. Are these movements relegated to being mere show of influence, or is it just a camouflage drawn to put farther the doubts that might be raised on Governments capabilities. The answer isn't with me.
Media Attention: Media indeed played their much needed role of communicating to its audiences the issues as it was, also the developments were properly followed. Media's contribution to the initial success of Anna's fast is undeniable. It was because of this unrelenting support that the movement could mobilise countrymen belonging from different parts of the country. It even successfully drew the attention of the intellectual forum of the society. Even in the case of Baba's protest, media played well its role. Whatever momentum these protests did gather, media had an indispensable role to play in it. Otherwise it would have been impossible to spread the news of the protest amongst the vastly scattered and diversified mass of the countrymen.
