Starting with the Struggle for India's Independence (upto 1947) which was led by Mahatma Gandhi and before the recent rise of Anna Hazare India had 4 major mass movements -
Þ Naxal upsurge in 1967
Þ Change in State (mostly Congress) Governments in 1966-67,
Þ Bihar Students Movement in 1974, taken over 20 days later by JP, to take an all India character in 1975-77 and
Þ Bofors scandal in 1988-89 led by VP Singh
Except the Naxals rise in 1967 every other movement was meant to cause cosmetic changes in the superstructure. They were all expected to fulfil the requirement of replacing the steward (satta me parivarttan)- no matter whether the alternative new incumbent was better or worse. The non-Naxal movements were not designed with an eye to change the System (Vyawastha me parivarttan). So the end result in all the four starting from Gandhi's was same- the movements diffused in a few months, increase in Corruption, Inefficiency, damage to Democratic processes and values, nepotism, favoritism and separation of the population in two parallel strips ruling elites and ruled commoner without an overlapping interface.
Such changes with so much fanfare in the name of victory for democracy were very much short lived. Remember how within 2-3 years Congress Party came back to power in all the States and the Union after each one of the above 3 movements. It does not need a detailed study by an expert to know who were born out of those mass movements and what became of them and how they served this country. No vow at the feet of Gandhi at Rajghat and elsewhere could change any of them. They remained shamelessly on the same track of corruption, money making and nepotism. Agree or not, Naxals/ Maoists alone steadily continued all along with a single long term objective of changes in the ‘Base’ for changing the System.
A very interesting coincidence that the Lokpal Bill was first introduced in 1968 immediately after the movements in 1966-67. But it could not be passed in successive Parliaments in last 43 years. So much for the well intentioned ruling elites. This long period saw every political party and group seating on the treasury benches in Parliament. It becomes clear that all the Parliamentary parties lacked interest in a clean governance. Not much can be expected from such political outfits who could not think of eradicating corruption in over 40 years.
One does not have to go too far to predict the end result and timing of the end of this phenomenon. Just look at the composition of people supporting Anna Hazare, on the TV screens and seating with him in Jantar Mantar and operating from both inside, in behind the scene parleys, and outside. It was interesting to see how the fountain heads of corruption were supporting Anna and making themselves visible on the TV screens. Even Yedurappa of Karnataka Corruption fame openly supported Anna's 'Against Corruption' movement.
Even though many naïve and gullible took part in the streets of different towns and cities in support of Anna at the end of it all it remains an exercise within the 5% of the top bracketed population known as ruling elites. It is not for the masses. Why the same people and the same Media has not stood up for Irom Sharmila who is on Fast for over 10 years now. It is also significant to note that the days of extra constitutional authority overpowering the constitutional authorities are in. The Mother –son duo, Sonia – Rahul on the one side and Anna’s five on the other. Incidently, finally it is an all men affair and no representative of dalit or downtrodden in the drafting committee.
In conclusion , therefore, only a people's movement involving the masses can bring the cure to the ills of this country. Nothing less.
