UNSEEMLY FUSS

There is a new ogre striding across the Indian political landscape. The ogre is called civil society. The instrument that this giant uses to send shivers down the spine of the political establishment is fasting against corruption in high places. It is not an edifying spectacle to see the prime minister of India, Manmohan Singh, appealing to one Baba Ramdev, a godman of doubtful provenance, to withdraw his fast. What is even worse — bordering, in fact, on the disgraceful — is the sight of four ministers rushing to the airport to persuade Ramdev not to undertake his fast. It would appear from the panic in the ranks of the government that Ramdev and his fast are being perceived as a major threat to the stability, if not the survival, of the government. The only sensible response to this craven attitude of the government is the following: if a fast undertaken by a fabulously wealthy yoga teacher threatens the government, then perhaps the government deserves to fall. There is something surreal in the way the prime minister and his colleagues have reacted to Ramdev.

It is important to remember that those like Ramdev and Anna Hazare, who are claiming to be leaders and voices of civil society, represent a very small section of Indian society. They are also not the elected representatives of the people. They are not accountable to anybody; sometimes not even to their own conscience. By giving such people undue importance, the government is only inflating their egos and images. It is becoming clear that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is the principal mobilizer of support for Ramdev. This should suggest that Ramdev is not without political linkages since no one believes anymore that the RSS is only a cultural organization. There is another ominous angle that cannot be ignored. The present government, somewhat unexpectedly, is bestowing importance on religious figures. Witness the presence of the prime minister and Sonia Gandhi at the funeral of Sai Baba and the fuss being made now over Ramdev’s fast. In independent India, attempts to pander to religious sentiments by a government committed to secularism have always had dangerous consequences. The prime minister should watch his step.

The above is from the Telegraphs Editorial of today.

It is astonishing the way mainstream papers are trying to belittle both Anna Hazare and Swami Ramdeo.
Both of them do not represent a small segment of Indian society as they allege, they represent probably 95% of society, A society which is disgusted with the going ons of these corrupt politicians, film stars and national papers who have an interest in continuing the rot.Even businessmen who have to compromise with their scruples are also frustrated with this corruption.
The papers forget that it was one handcart vendor who set off the Jasmine revolution in Tunisia and the other middle east countries. Compared to that, these two personalities already have crores of supporters who have demonstrated in all cities of India when the call was given.
Why does the Prime Minster shiver.
Because he could not utter a single word when people like Lalu Yadav, Shibu Soren, A.Raja and now Dayanidhi Maran and Suresh Kalamadi looted the people's money..If we made the complete list, it would probably cover a full page.
Whatever action that the government is taking now on CWG, 2G, Adarsh Housing, is because of vigorous follow up by the courts and these public figures who have raised their voices against corruption.
One scam, the Bofors scam, was swept under the carpet by successive Congress government.
Swami Ramdeo has raised the banner against corruption through his "Bharat Swabhiman" movement which was started more than three years ago
Let me tell you, the general mass was completely disgusted with the corruption
They could however do nothing because they were a single voice and so kept quiet.
Now Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdeo has polarized these voices and given them strength. Do not take them lightly.
The papers point out every now and then of some lacuna in the health or transport or some other department. There is a flurry of activity by the government. The papers then thump their chest saying that because of their report this has been done. But what about the thousands of cases in our lives which are not reported.
No, Mr. Editor.
Anna Hazare and Swami Ramdeo are doing yeoman service to India.
Mahatma Gandhi gave us political freedom from the British.
These people are giving us freedom from corruption so that India can make progress, unfettered by the corrupt politicians.