SYYED MANSOOR AGHA analyses the palpably marked shift in the strategy of Anna Hazare and his team towards SanghParivar in general and rampant corruption in BJP-ruled States in particular.
There are genuine reasons to hold the suspicion good that octogenarian social activist Anna Hazare is tuned with the Sangh ideology and has teamed up with the Parivar for his dubious “Jan Lokpal Bill” movement. He is rooted in Maharashtra, the State that has distinction of being “premier laboratory of the Hindutva” for centuries. From the times of Feudal State of Pune (till 1818) governed by proxy rulers known as “Peshwa”, the region has been epicentre of “Brahmanist” Ideology which was re-christened as “Hindutva” by RSS to widen its appeal to all Hindus. Manusmirti is the classic source of the ideology which basically sanctions castism.
A number of eminent individuals, organisations and institutions have been engaged in promoting the ideals of hardcore“Brahmanist” ideology in the guise of Hindutva. So probability of Anna being influenced by the same cannot be ruled out. Presence of saffron leaders close to him and picture of symbolic “Bharat Mata” in the backdrop of his stage at JantarMantar strengthened the suspicion. RSS leader Ram Madhav was warmly greeted by Anna and his team at the stage and his closet consultations with Mr. Hazare was seen as his getting inputs from KeshavKunj (RSS headquarters in Delhi). All over the country and abroad, the organisation of demonstrations and rallies in such a perfect and synchronised way was not possible except with the involvement of RSS and BJP activists. In his interactions with media and the audience, he kept his eyes closed from the rampant corruption in BJP-ruled States and targeted only the government at the Centre.
After he broke his first anshan (stop taking of cereals), he was all praise for the autocratic rule of Modi in Gujarat. And after finishing his second anshan, Ms KiranBedi, a key member of his team, profusely praised BJP leadership for the “success” of the show, and Anna sent a personal letter of appreciation to Mr. L. K. Advani. These incidents indicate that his “Jan Lokpal Bill” movement was a covert mission to embarrass UPA and to help advance BJP. The message was clearly aimed to brighten the chances of Saffron Party in ensuing State Elections in U.P.,Uttarakhand, Punjab and Gujarat of 2012 followed by LokSabha polls in 2014.
Enthused from the projected public response to the Anna movement and reported rise in the popularity graph, veteran BJP leader Advani announced his sixth “Rathyatra” against corruption to encash public anger and establish himself as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate. It was hoped that a gentleman as Anna is, he will reciprocate the support to Advani. But in an unexpected and blunt reaction, Anna was found ready with a mirror to show Advaniji. Many were stunned to see Anna calling Advani’s proposed yatra a “gimmick” and refusing to support “BharashtacharvirodhiYatra” unconditionally.
He was quoted as saying: ”If Advani is serious on the issue of corruption then instead of a yatra, he should ask all BJP-ruled states to enact the legislation for appointing Lokayuktas. His yatra is a gimmick.”
He said, “If BJP says they are in support of my demand to abolish corruption then they should bring Lokayukta Bill in their states without delay. First bring Lokayukta and then (ask for) support.” He also announced that he will not join any political yatra, especially the one to be undertaken by Advani.
ArvindKejriwal, a key member of the team Anna also slammed Advani’s proposed yatra as a political gimmick. He, as reported by HT, said, “Anna’s agitation is for civil society while Advani’syatra is a political gimmick”,
Announcing team Anna plans to reach out masses in the poll bound states, he said, “We will ask voters to boycott those who do not support Jan Lokpal.” Interestedly, he said this in Dehradun, the capital of BJP-ruled state of Uttarakhand. He, along with two other team members PrashantBhusan and Kumar Viswas, was there on invitation of newly appointed Chief Minister Maj Gen (retd) BC Khanduri.
MODI REBUKED
Team Anna also rebuked Narendra Modi for his “SadbhawnaUpwas” actually aimed to gauge public mood and sambhawna (prospects) of his becoming P.M.
He was sharply criticised by Anna Hazare for the level of corruption in Gujarat and announced his next venture would be against forceful land acquisition, starting from Ahmedabad.
In an unbelievable U-turn in his earlier stand, Anna said, “The state gives the impression of being the most progressive in the country. It looks true from outside but on closer scrutiny, it is replete with onion layers of corruption”.
He lamented that rampant corruption has not even spared the state of Mahatma Gandhi. “Liquor flows more freely than milk in where liquor prohibition laws are in force and all I see around are scams,” he said, He urged Modi“to follow the example of other states and immediately appoint a Lokayukta (ombudsman)”.
It is worth mentioning that the State Government had blocked the appointment of a Lokayukta for the last seven years. Using his statutory powers, the Governor recently made the appointment in consultation with the Chief Justice of the State as provided in the Act, but the Modi Government has challenged the posting in the court and BJP made it an issue in the Parliament to force adjournments in the recently concluded monsoon session.
From the same platform in Gujarat,ArvindKejriwal also hit hard on Modi for his corrupt practices.
COURSE CORRECTION?
Memories of his praising Advani and Modi are still fresh. He was all praiseworthy of Advani and other party leaders for supporting his anti-corruption movement. He showered Modi with his praises for “developmental marvels” in Gujarat. It is good that he has found reality so soon and has courage to condemn the duo P.M. aspirants for their callous attitude towards corrupt practices in BJP-ruled States.
That his new-found plank against them is re-posturing or some sort of “gimmick” is not clear as yet. This changeover of Team Anna may be welcomed. But it puzzles when we weigh its moral parameters. Corruption in BJP-ruled States is not a new phenomenon. Unjust acquisition of farmers’ land is also not a new incident. Let us see how Anna Hazare and his team will correlate their present and past postures. What one can say is, ‘Anna is un-predictable, undependable’. And he wants to strike a parallel betweenGandhiji and himself.
MORAL CORRUPTION IGNORED
Gujarat has not excelled only in fiscal corruption but also in moral corruption. It is unfortunate that Anna Hazare has preferred to remain mum on state-sponsored violence and spread of communal hatred and divide. He also chose to overlook miseries of riot victims. His soft corner towards Modi’scommunal acts remains a cause of concern as we find it against the traditions and moral ethos of great Indian culture. This indifference to the attack on human life and dignity, again correlates him with the proponents of fascist and “Brahmanist agenda” in the guise of Hindutva. We can only wish him to re-charter his course in this sensitive matter also.
[The writer is Gen. Sec. of Forum for Civil rights. Email: [email protected]]