Is it a complete victory or forced compromise ?

Anna taking coconut water from kids

The 74 year old Gandhian crusader has finally deferred his fast after 288 hours. So much happiness among common men... Probably it was another independence moment across the country. Everywhere it was a celebration of V-day. One could see thousands of people waving Tricolours at the Ramliala ground, India Gate in Delhi, Azad Maidan in Mumbai and in so many places across the country. This was the mood of celebration.

The innocent old man has literally shaken the nation and rocked the country. It is really amazing to see how the movement started as a small campaign and became a revolution. Despite many differences, this revolution can be counted as one amongst the many uprisings happening all across the globe. Everywhere the common man has found a collective voice. The methodology used is however different. The Anna movement in India is soaked in the Gandhian philosophy of non-violence.

However, I am really puzzled with the way it ended. Don’t you feel that the momentum got a sudden jerk? It’s really a win-win situation. Probably, this was desired by everybody. No matter what happened technically, but it is the victory of public over the Parliamentarians. Certainly it is a moment to be celebrated. But there is a million dollar question...Is it a complete victory as being portrayed or it’s a kind of forced compromise?

Vilas Rao Deshmukh on the dais with resolution copy

The question striking my mind is obvious when we analyse the sequence of events. I am really not able to comprehend the steps taken by the government. The government became proactive and serious about Anna’s Kranti on August 22, 2011. We can understand the mindset if we go through the sequence of events after that.

1. In view of his deteriorating health and Government's increasing concern for Annaji's condition, Prime Minister wrote a letter to Anna on 23rd August 2011, making a fervent appeal for ending the fast.
2. Simultaneously to carry the negotiations forward, the Prime Minister directed Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Law Minister Salman Khursheed to hold discussions with team Anna.
3. There was a first round meeting with which both the parties were happy. The discussion took place on several issues and finally the government had agreed to introduce the “Jan Lokpal bill” (the draft of team Anna) in the Parliament and also planned to send it to the standing committee along with some other suggestions by a few more organisations.
4. The government representatives were ready and have assured to request the Lok Sabha Speaker to formally refer the Jan Lokpal Bill to the Standing Committee for its consideration along with everything else as the bill originated from there.
5. The representatives of team Anna were agreed for the introduction of Jan Lokpal bill in the house and to be discussed, but they were not in favour of sending the same to the Standing Committee. Had they got that commitment from the government, probably they would have persuaded Anna to end fast. They had also insisted upon the inclusion of following substantive issues, as a part of the Jan Lokpal bill:

                                   Public Grievances and Citizen Charter;

                                   Lok Ayukta; and

                                   the Lower bureaucracy

       At the conclusion of the meeting, the representatives of team were informed, that the matter will be discussed with the Prime           Minister. The same evening, discussions on this subject were held in CCPA meeting and it was decided to place it before the All Party Meeting scheduled for the next day.

1. At the conclusion of All Party Meeting held on 24th August 2011, the  unanimous resolution was passed to request Anna to end his fast. The meeting was also of the view that due consideration should be given to the Jan Lokpal Bill.
2. There was another meeting held with team Anna on August 24, 2011 after the all party meeting where the confusion began. Team and the representatives of the government gave different version to media and it irked a tug of war.
3. Finally. The Prime Minister made a statement in Lok Sabha on August 25, 2011. The Prime Minister also stated that he would welcome the Members of the House to discuss the Lokpal Bill before the Standing Committee, the Jan Lokpal Bill as well as other draft Bills and views of members of Civil Society which have been brought to the attention of the Government.
4. But that did not happen. Despite the commitment the discussion did not take place on August 26, 2011. Rather, the government refused to bring any motion for discussion and it was not listed in the list of business for the day. With the day progressed, the government wanted members to bring notice which created further confusion. When the issue was of the government and it was agreed for a discussion, why didn’t it initiate the same in the house? Why did the government avoid discussing the issues which were agreed even by the Prime Minister?
5. Rather, on August 26, AICC general secretary, Rahul Gandhi made a speech in the zero hour which was not mentioned in the list of business and also that sent a negative signal. Also another question was raised after his speech, was it a favour towards him by allowing him to speak on Lokpal or there was any hidden agenda?

The above were the sequence of events from the government showed its concern on Anna till the Finance Minister made his speech. Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee made his speech on August 27, 2011 and reiterated the same thing in the house which was discussed with team Anna on August 23. Now here is the BIG question, if he had to do that, why didn’t he do it before which would have probably saved time and Anna’s health condition? The same points raised by team Anna were thrown to the floor to discuss and pass a resolution.

About 27 speakers spoke on the points and mostly there was a favourable response towards team Anna. While BJP strongly supported all the points of team Anna, Congress had shown conditional support and other parties like JD (U), left parties had also given their nod to it with a slight modification. More or less there was unanimous consensus on the points raised by team Anna. A resolution was supposed to be passed and a voting was expected.

While the house was discussing the issue, senior congress leader and Union Minister Kapil Sibal spoke to media that BJP is not in favour of voting and the same was conveyed to team Anna. As a result team Anna wanted BJP to make its stand clear and later in a Press Conference, BJP leader Sushma Swaraj clearly told that her party will certainly go for the voting if it is decided. Then everyone was expecting that at least there would be a ‘voice vote” to pass the resolution.

All media flashed the news that the Finance Minister is drafting the resolution to be placed in the house and on that there would be voting first in Rajya Sabha and then in Lok Sabha. But surprisingly nothing happened. It was supposed to happen at 6pm as the Speaker had allowed 7hrs time for the discussion which ended at 6pm. After 6pm the Speaker came to her seat. Around 7.30 pm, the Finance Minister made his final speech and soon after the Speaker adjourned the house. No body could understand what happened. I too got confused at that moment. Finally I understood and the media explained that there was thumping majority. After Finance Minister’s speech the members thumped their desk and that was considered as their consensus and hence the resolution got passed as the “Sense of the House”.

I found a new word “Sense of the House” and tried find what it means... Anyway I made myself understand that it is the consensus on the issue. Finally the government interlocutor Vilash Rao Deshmukh carried the message of the house to Ramlila ground and read it before everyone. Everywhere the same was termed as the “RESOLUTION” of the house. But was it a Resolution?

As per the rules of the Parliament, a Resolution is a formal expression of the sense, will or action of the Legislative Body.  Resolutions may be broadly divided into three categories:

·       Resolutions which are expression of opinion by the House – since the purpose of such a Resolution is merely to obtain an expression of opinion of the House, the Government is not bound to give effect to the opinions expressed in these Resolutions.

·       Resolutions which have statutory effect – the notice of a Statutory Resolution is given in pursuance of a provision in the Constitution or an Act of Parliament.  Such a Resolution, if adopted, is binding on the Government and has the force of law.

·       Resolutions which the House passes in the matter of control over its own proceedings.  It has the force of law and its validity cannot be challenged in any court of law.  The House, by such a Resolution, evolves, sometimes, its own procedure to meet a situation not specifically provided for in the Rules.

.       Under rule 170, a member other than a Minister who wishes to move a resolution on a day allotted for private members' resolutions, shall give a notice to that effect at least two days before the date of ballot.

.       Under rule 171, a resolution may be in the form of a declaration of opinion, or a recommendation; or may be in the form so as to record either approval or disapproval by the House of an act or policy of Government, or convey a message; or commend, urge or request an action; or call attention to a matter or situation for consideration by Government; or in such other form as the Speaker may consider appropriate.

        Under rule 172, it decides the subject matter of the resolution.  Subject to the provisions of these rules, a member or a Minister may move a resolution relating to a matter of general public interest.

.       Rule 173 says whether a resolution may be admissible, it shall satisfy the following conditions, namely:- (i)it shall be clearly and precisely expressed; (ii)it shall raise substantially one definite issue; (iii)it shall not contain arguments, inferences, ironical expressions, imputations or defamatory statements; (iv)it shall not refer to the conduct or character of persons except in their official or public capacity; and (v)it shall not relate to any matter which is under adjudication by a court of law having jurisdiction in any part of India. Speaker to decide admissibility

.       Rule 174 ,the Speaker shall decide whether a resolution or a part thereof is or is not admissible under these rules and may disallow any resolution or a part thereof when in his opinion it is an abuse of the right of moving a resolution or calculated to obstruct or prejudicially affect the procedure of the House or is in contravention of these rules. Matters before tribunals, commissions etc.

.        Rule 175 tells that o resolution which seeks to raise discussion on a matter pending before any statutory tribunal or statutory authority performing any judicial or quasijudicial functions or any commission or court of enquiry appointed to enquire into, or investigate any matter shall ordinarily be permitted to be moved.

Provided that the Speaker may, in his discretion, allow such matter being raised in the House as is concerned with the procedure or subject or stage of enquiry, if the Speaker is satisfied that it is not likely to prejudice the consideration of such matter by the statutory tribunal, statutory authority, commission or court of enquiry.

.       Rule 178 says that no speech on a resolution shall, except with the permission of the Speaker, exceed fifteen minutes in duration: Provided that the mover of a resolution, when moving the same and the Minister concerned when speaking for the first time, may speak for thirty minutes or for such longer time as the Speaker may permit.

.       Rule 179 tells the discussion on a resolution shall be strictly relevant to and within the scope of the resolution. Withdrawal of resolution and amendment.

.       As per rule183, a copy of every resolution which has been passed by the House shall be forwarded to the Minister concerned.

NOW THE BIGGEST QUESTION IS WHAT WAS FOLLWED DURING THE DISCUSSION ON AUGUST 27 ?

The most important is the Resolution gets passed through a proper discussion. But I could not understand under what rule the discussion took place. A few members had given notice under rule 184 and a few had given the notice under rule 193. But which was accepted by the Speaker is not yet clear. Let me put it the Parliamentary procedure of different rules to make things clear.

Under rule 184, discussions on matter of public interest take place with the consent of the Speaker. It follows a voting.

As per the Parliamentary procedure, discussion under Rule 193 does not involve a formal motion before the House.  Hence no voting can take place after discussion on matters under this rule.  The member who gives notice may make a short statement and such of the members as have previously intimated to the Speaker, may be permitted to take part in the discussion.  The member who raises the discussion has no right of reply.  At the end of the discussion, the Minister concerned gives a brief reply.

Similarly in order to provide opportunities to members to discuss matters of urgent public importance, a convention was established in March 1953 which was incorporated later into the Rules of Procedure and conduct of Business in Lok Sabha under Rule 193 as Short Duration Discussion.  Under this Rule, members can raise discussion for short durations without a formal motion or vote thereon.

Under rule 195, there can be no formal motion before the House or voting. The member who has given notice may make a short statement and the Minister shall reply shortly. Any member who has previously intimated to the Speaker may be permitted to take part in the discussion. Similarly under rule 196, the Speaker can fix up the time limit for the discussion.

 We can say hurriedly and cunningly the members discussed and passed the resolution and sent it to team Anna. They also accepted it , although they have reacted that it is part betrayal. Now everything is almost settled. But still the question remains in my mind “Has justice been given to everything equally?” Shall we tell it a complete victory or the acceptance of it with a forced compromise ?

Political Ego Vrs Public Sentiments

I don't know how would it be taken if I write this way. But really after seeing the developments on the anti-corruption movement since last couple of days, my mind speaks out. First agreement between team Anna and the government , then disagreement between both, then suddenly throwing mud to each other and again having a meeting to find a solution. Is n't it looking like a farce. There are only difference of opinions between both the parties.

Suddenly the political parties took a different stand in the all party meeting, government showed its rigidity and team Anna is withstanding on their point of view. Where is it leading to ? How can everyone change their version so quickly?

it is now a serious point to ponder...

No more a movement, it is an event now...

The team Anna is fighting hard for a cause. They are managing a great show country wide. The camp is at the central point, Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

Where ever we see the young folk look very engaged. This is no more a movement; rather it has become an event now. People are being found sitting in the ground supporting Anna, working on their laptops, keeping their professional thing active through hi-tech gadgets. With all kind of arrangement by a core team of Anna the show is going on at the Ramlila ground of the national capital.

Whatever one needs, starting from food till ambulance & security everything is available there at the ground. The innocent Gandhian man Anna Hazare’s fast is being managed by hundreds of volunteers who have come from across the country, working under the banner of India against corruption. Really this has gripped the world’s attention.

Today Anna’s strike has been 9 day’s old. Since yesterday everyone was shouting Anna’s health should be every one’s priority, he should not be allowed to sit on hunger strike for more than 12 hours and blab la. It continues. Some are spending sleepless nights with Anna and a few have lost their sleep.

“I am not going to be under medication. My conscience does not allow me to take drip and it warns me if I am scared of death”, the 74 old man told openly on Tuesday evening after the team of doctors checked him and suggested for getting hospitalised. Probably the doctors were worried for his health, but he himself is not. The Prime Minister of India has also sent his request to Anna to take drip, but unfortunately there is no meeting from the government side directly with Anna so far. I don’t understand why the Prime Minister does not find a way to convey his message directly to Anna if he is really concerned about his health and so serious about the cause he is fighting for.

All Television channels, News papers giving extensive coverage to the issue. If I say the channels have the only issue Anna now, it won’t be wrong. 90% of the content of any TV news channel, News paper are only of Anna and his movement. More or less most of the media houses have taken their stand, no matter whether it is correct or not. Every day in the prime time on those TV channels we see people having debate, fighting on the issue, casting aspersion on each other. But I am surprised there is none who has come forward towards any agreeable point.

Shame on us... An old man, who has no liability on personal or professional front if we critically analyse, has been fighting for a cause. Probably if he succeeds, the entire nation will be benefitted, the whole public will enjoy the result. But unfortunately so far the dispute is going on...we are carrying only the debate...surprisingly no one is extending the hand of solution...

A very senior congress leader Saifuddin Soj  has been appearing in one of the news channels regularly since the beginning of Anna’s Kranti. But I am really stunned with his comment. From the day one he has one version...”Opposition must convince Anna to withdraw strike and then there will be a discussion on Lokpal bill”. I fail to understand why so. Whether it is Congress or BJP, does not matter. We all probably know that none of them has pure mind set. Today what Congress is saying being in the ruling seat; the same would be the version of other party when it comes to power and vice versa.  But one thing which hurts is these political parties are playing with the sentiments of public when they have joined hands for a social cause.

Why Congress wants BJP to convince Anna now is certainly a million dollar question. If really the government wants opposition’s help, why didn’t they involve them during the process of drafting the “Lokpal Bill”?  Similarly BJP is now targeting the government for the Lokpal Bill. It’s fine as it has become a cause now. But it’s an open question to all BJP leaders are they really serious about the issue? Can they honestly respond what would have been their stand had they been in the ruling seat?  Better not to raise this issue. Because it is an issue where the government can be grilled, every body in the opposition are taking their stand against the government...it is fine...but the big question is if they really feel so, why are they not supporting Anna openly? Why are they not coming forward with a plan of action so far?

Similarly nine political parties joined hands including TDP, JD(U) and left parties to raise voice against corruption. The communist top guns like Prakash Karat and A B Bardhan had announced to start agitation from August 23. Probably the message was sent that it will be in support to Anna. But where are they? What happened to their plan?  Where is their voice? Probably it will not be wrong if we say that all these politicians are on the same platform. Somewhere down the line they must have the fear of getting trapped...probably that is the reason most of them are not coming to the forefront even though the cause is the fighting for the society.

It has been really a mockery to hear contradictions amongst the same party. Just a few days back the chairperson of Lokpal standing committee explained the Parliamentary procedure in a private television channel. It was understood from his version that withdrawing the bill is not against the Parliamentary procedure. However his other colleagues from the party have been arguing that it is not possible to withdraw the bill, rather that has to be discussed and debated. Hence the motive is not clear yet. Is the government really looking for drawing any conclusion and resolve the issue?

Another surprising part of the entire process is various comments of some prominent activists. Probably a few activists and leaders have decided to draw the media attention and probably that is the reason they are losing the control over their tongue. Here is a couple of example: let’s talk about Kapil Sibal. He is a Union Minister and a very responsible and very senior Congress leader. But it does not reflect in his version. He was shouting till a particular point and perhaps the party could realise and stopped him talking on Anna now. Same is in case of other senior congress leaders like Ambika Soni, Manish Tiwari and Digvijay Singh. I must quote an excerpt from the Press Conference in which Mr. Sibal and Ambika Soni tried to highlight some issues related to Anna before Anna started his Kranti. On August 14, 2011, they addressed a PC and pointed out that Anna is a corrupted person and he had spent Rs 2.22 Lakh in his birth day celebration. Surprisingly Sibal asked Anna to explain where did he get the money from...I do not understand whether he is a sensible person. Anna is no doubt a public figure and even if celebrates his birth day in Ralegan Siddhi only and distributes sweets, the cost would be more than 2 lakh. When he raised the issue, he would have thought of himself and of all his political and bureaucrat colleagues and should have thought what bill comes to them when they celebrate their birth day and that of their children? Anyway it is very trivial issue...no point of discussing that.

Now let us see the version of the activist like Arundhati Roy and Aruna Roy who is also member of the National Advisory Council and member of the National Campaign for People's Right to Information. I heard Ms Aruna Roy in a national TV channel on Tuesday where she was very arrogant. On one side she was accepting the fact that Anna is fighting for a cause and he is generous blab la bla, on the other hand she was not hesitating to justify her comment which she had given to media earlier against Anna’s movement. That was really funny. Why should one do this? If any one has any opinion, one must withstand it. Why should be their diversion unless there is any confusion within self?

Is it a political EGO clash?

It is not a question of Anna or any individual. But certainly Anna has been standing by with one point and that is “Laao nahi to Jaao”. If our politicians have any point of view, they can bring it forward and stick to it for a debate. Why is it not happening? Even this is also the question to team Anna. Why is there so rigidity? Do we need any solution or only fighting for the cause? Why should team Anna sticks to their point and why should the government remain adamant on their stand? Isn’t there any a middle way? Like on Tuesday the government could think of discussing the issue with team Anna, why didn’t it happen earlier? On Tuesday both agreed on most of the points except three. Probably this could have happened even before the beginning of Anna’s August Kranti. Can any body take the responsibility and accountability of the same and the after effects?

See the drastic changes they had within 24 hours. On Wednesday there was an all-party meeting. Unanimously all representatives expressed their concerns for Anna and wanted him to withdraw fast. At the same time the representatives also wanted the government to withdraw the Lokpal Bill they have sent to the standing committee and also all of them wanted a fresh bill to be drafted taking the Jan Lokpal Bill into consideration. But the strange part is the different version of the government. We had heard the government representatives after their meeting with team Anna on Tuesday when their tone was low. But surprisingly it was different when they spoke to media after their meeting with team Anna on Wednesday. On Tuesday the government agreed with team Anna on most of the aspects except three, but what happened to them on Wednesday when they brought everything to square one. Even they did not want to consider the resolution of all party meeting.

On one side there is a unanimous consensus amongst political parties, intellectual forums, different social and expert forum, and general public that the government must withdraw the bill and on the other side there is a huge concern about Anna’s health. Despite this the role of government is puzzling. Is the government really serious about the issue and Anna’s health? It’s now a million dollar question. If really the government is serious about it, then what is prohibiting the government to withdraw the bill and think of drafting a fresh?

The Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Union Law Minister Salman Khusheed have briefed the media that the talk went well and they would again meet on Thursday noon. When the outcome of the first meeting and second meeting became diagrammatically opposite, what would happen on the third meeting? Probably this is the political ego that is becoming the stumbling block for the government from any action.

Similarly see team Anna. They have made everything very clear and wanted the government to act fast. But if we remember the declaration of team Anna before his fasting, we would recall that Dr. Kiran Bedi had said that Anna’s fast would continue depending on his health condition. They had assured not to cause any harm to Anna’s health. But what is happening now?

I heard both the parties talking to media last mid-night. After their meeting first government spoke and then team Anna said that the attitude of the government has been changed and they don't care about Anna's health. Also they expressed their apprehension that Anna may be taken to the hospital forcibly. In the midnight only, Anna addressed the nation...appealed everyone to get ready for "JAIL BHARO" if any thing happens to him. Suddenly after that both the senior congress leader Mr.Mukherjee and Mr. Khursheed addressed media and clarifies their stand and explained that their version is being misquoted. Oh my god ! Who is right ? Team Anna ya the government ? 

When there was a unanimous resolution for the government to withdraw the bill, why is it not happening ? If there is so many confusion and conflicts on the versions of both the parties, why are they not having an open discussion which could be made on air by all broadcasters ? If the government really believes in transparency, why is there hesitation to discuss in an open forum ? can any one answer, please ?

Here are some questions to all stake holders?

1.       Why is the government so adamant on its draft?
2.       Why is team Anna not coming with any mid way solution?
3.       Why is there hesitation to have an apple to apple comparison of both Jan Lokpal Bill and government draft Bill?
4.       When it is not against the constitution, why can’t the government withdraw the existing bill and introduce the Jan Lokpal Bill for a debate?
5.       Why are the senior members of the government and even PM hesitating to personally meet with Anna and discuss?
6.       Has anybody any answer for the consequences if at all anything happens to Anna?

Honestly saying, I feel, the cause and for the same the move by Anna is praiseworthy, but I do not blindly support every move of team Anna, as some of them are outright naive. Rather at the same time, I share the anguish of the masses against this government which by far is the most mediocre, ill-advised and spineless, in addition to being the most corrupt one in independent India.

I personally feel it would make sense to put things in perspective and analyze the good and the bad of this unprecedented mass revolution and also the pros and cons of the Lokpal Bill.  Here I am jolting down a couple of points:

1. The Lokpal bill is basically an attempt to establish an “independent authority” to investigate offences under pc act by expeditious investigation, to prosecute offenders and to ensure timely redressal of certain types of public grievances etc. So far so good.
2. The objective of the Lokpal bill is to create a platform for the public where they can bring their grievances to a forum if they face any difficulties by the government mechanism.
3. Both  bills have some points upon which both the government and team Anna have agreement and upon certain points they differ.
4. After Tuesday’s meeting, it seems probably both the government and team Anna have come to a consensus and they have found out three points where there is disagreement and hence there is a need of resolution.
5. On Wednesday i.e. today there has been another development where most of the political parties want the withdrawal of government bill and formation of a totally new bill.
6. Probably this could be the beginning of the reformation process and certainly there will be need of changes and modifications in future.
7. Inclusion of junior bureaucracy till the PM and judiciary in the Lokpal Bill may be a good start as there will be a fear factor amongst government mechanism before they get involved in any corruption practice.
8. But a very vital point...like government bodies most of the corporate sectors indulge themselves in corruption. Why can’t they be included in the Lokpal Bill?
9. What will be the accountability of the Lokpal ? There is one apprehension. Most of the independent bodies get biased when they get paid by the government and also partially get controlled by the government. Knowing all these fully well how well equipped is the Lokpal bill ?
10. All very grand looking but what is the reality? The real picture is that this proposed draft seems to have many loopholes, conjectures, assumptions, surmises, vague premises and lopsided thing. Are we really interested to study those and amend?

Summing it up, we can say the Jan Lok Pal may have some changes in the system, the cause is good, the stand taken by Anna is exemplary. But some how there is no consensus. Probably it is due to the mindset. The meetings happened on Wednesday ended with no result. Why was there an all party meet where the issue took a different turn. None of the parties tried to understand what would happen to that old man Anna...Why is there another round of meeting today, i.e. on August 25? What would happen? I am confused to understand for what reason...All are in hurry...Who knows what would be the end? Anna has been putting effort to “Save India”...Please wake up! It’s time to save Anna, now.

No matter what it is, the spirit is there...

A kid supporting Anna wearing a Gandhi Cap

I could not control my craze...Since about a week I was watching the same stuff on TV. Whenever I watch any news channel, I find the innocent man lying on a white cushion with a couple of round pillows around, a few coolers and fan surrounding him. Of-course he is none other than the brave, courageous old man, Anna Hazare who has created another movement in the entire nation. And when there is a camera panning, I find thousands of people sitting in the ground, shouting slogans, waving tri-colours and clapping at any announcement or speech from the dais. It was a regular feature. All my colleagues visited the place. I found all wearing a cap written “Main Anna Hun”...Every where I find the same topic...Anna did this, Anna did that and what not...So it was obvious in my part to get inspired to experience the same.

It was “Janmashtami”, i.e. Aug 22, 2011. A friend just came to see me at my office. All of a sudden I thought to visit that place “Ramlila Maidan”. We decided to visit the place and also decided to go by Metro. We started from Noida and headed towards Rajiv Chowk from where we had to change the Metro towards New Delhi railway station. In the Metro, I must have seen a lot of people wearing the same white “Gandhi “cap and “Main Anna hun” written over it. The nearer we become to the destination, the more crazy I was becoming to witness and experience the crowd LIVE. Finally we landed at New Delhi railway station. All of a sudden I noticed inside the station there were a lot of land marks board which was having the way to Ramlila Maidan. From the station it self I started experiencing the Anna wave. Almost 70% of the crowd in the station were having Anna cap, Tri-colour tattoo in their cheeks, Tri-colour in their hand.

After coming out from the New Delhi railway station, we headed towards the ground and all sides of the ground were blocked and we just took a route which was the only route opened on that evening. Oh my God! What was it? I could not believe. Even though there was a floating population in the ground, it was really crowded and the best part is at the entry point there was thorough checking by security personnel as if we are entering in to the Airport or any high security zone.

My colleagues were camping at the ground day and night to capture any occurrence. I got a call from one of my colleague and he guided me to come from the media entry side. Honestly, I was new to the ground. I could not find the ways...Just tried to go to the dais as closer as I can. I started walking from the wall side. What a surprise, people were so disciplined, every body was moving in a cue and different clusters were there. For sometime, I thought probably to enter into the main area, one needs to be in the cue and then can entry, but it was not like that.

Advertisements pasted in the wall

I went straight towards the dash. Suddenly I noticed a gathering near the wall side. I also stopped there. Wow! Really the people have got the right place...I saw a lot of pictures pasted in the wall and I guessed those could be the pictures of Anna’s movement. But what a surprise, those were advertisement. Probably that part of the wall was advertisement wall. The advertisers must have found it the right place to advertise free of cost.

Then I proceeded further. I saw people in different clusters and hence I became anxious to know what is happening there. I went and found a group of kids painting the cheeks of others with tri-colour. It was heartening to see kids have so much love towards the nation. I just spent some time with those kids. Bunty, a 9 year old small kid replied me that he is there just to earn money. One day he saw so many crowds in the ground and people carrying Anna caps, Anna band, National flag etc. And hence he joined hands with some of his friends, collected some oil paints of three colours and found a place in one corner of the ground where he started requesting people to make tattoo of tri-colour, despite knowing any purpose of the gathering. Like Bunty, there was Nathu, Shamim, Guddu at other corners of the ground who was making tattoo at Rs. 5 per person. It was really amazing to hear the numbers from them. I also found people easily coming to them and making tattoo. Then I realised the scene of Cricket World Cup -2011. Then it was a support to team India and now the tattoo is to support team Anna.

While moving forward, I saw a lady with very dirty dress in her body sitting with different products. Near to him there was an old man with white dresses. I just simply sat down besides them and started talking to them. I saw the couple selling caps with Anna’s name, flags, wrist band in tri colours, badges, tri colour cap etc. Who so ever was passing that route stood for a moment paid Rs 10 and was picking any of the items? I asked them the reason of coming to the ground and the reason of selling those products. The answer was very simple...” we are here to support Anna”. Obviously my next question to them was what is Anna doing? Their answer was...hmm...” wohi na humare liye Anna ladh raha hey”. I asked what is the cause ? They answered, “Humein to pata nahi hey, aap bata dijiye...” after taking a pause they again said, “ haan Anna jo kar raha hey use humara bhrashtachar mit jayega na...isiliye hum yahan pe hey aur support kar rahe hein”. I was not surprised... any body in his place would have done that. Such a huge crowd, good opportunity to sell any product, who would like to lose the opportune moment ?

Moving forward, i was not able to hear anything except “Anna tum Andhi ho, desh ki dusre Gandhi ho”, Anna tum age badho, “hum tumhare saath hey, Anna tum sngharsh karo”, “hum tumhare saath hey”...where ever I see, I would find a cluster of people, tri-colour in their hand and slogan...While approaching the dais, I found 5/6 Jimmy Jibs, a lot of cameras in a line facing the dais and my media friends camping there. I stayed and tried to listen what the experts from the dais are talking.

Demonstration, but not less than a celebration...

Fortunately or unfortunately, when I was there the famous singer Kailash Kher was singing a song. Oh My God, Live concert, free of cost...what else is needed ? I just had a 360 degree glance. In my eye range, I found every body was enjoying the song with chips in their hand. Really amazing scene...small kids dancing, youngsters prompting with Kher and others clapping with rythm...

After Kailash’s so-called concert got over, I moved here and there. In that area I could have fabulous fragrance...different kind of food available there. You want “Rajma, Rice”, it’s there...you want “Puri-bhaji”, it’s there...you want tea, coffee, biscuits, wafers, everything is available there. Suddenly I found special food available for those who observe fast on Roza, special sweets being distributed from Govindam on the occasion of Janmashtami. My God, what a nice place to enjoy. Then I went to the place where the food packets were distributed and found all those are free of cost. Who so ever is coming to participate the cause at Ramliala ground, gets free food, water, tea etc. 

Suddenly I remember the Dussehra celebration at Ramlila ground. Probably after a couple of weeks the similar kind of gathering would be there in the ground. When there is Dussehra celebration, people from across Delhi go there with their kids, have foods from different stalls, purchase balloons or toys to the kids, see the Durga Maa idol, see Ravan, enjoy for 2/3 hours and then come back home. Believe you me, I feel exactly the same now. People coming from across Delhi, from out side Delhi with their kids, enjoying on the ground, having foods, purchasing caps, flags etc and showing Anna to their kids, listening musing and speeches and going back home. I did not find any major difference here from that of the Dussehra celebration in ramlila ground. Then suddenly I realised why did I come here? And I found it is that Anna celebration fervour which attracted me to that spot.

I found thousands of crowd and I could categorise them. One was highly educated crowd who know the cause and support it. There was another class who are youngsters and support the cause with enthusiasm. There was a huge crowd of middle class who know the fight is for Lokpal, but do not know what is it exactly and still they want to support as they understand it is a good cause. There was a teen ager class who were the part of this, probably because their parents, guardians are part of it and joining voice with them. Also i found another interesting crowd who were really innocent babies. They really do not know what is going on...Only they have remembered a name Anna and they got the pleasure to wear a cap, have a tri-colour in their hand and get ice-cream, chocolates in the ground. But suddenly I found another crowd who were really creating nuisance. I saw another young group gathering on the road, shouting slogans etc and were literally disturbing in nature. It was really a kind of road rage for a moment because of their activities.

Suddenly I met a lot of taxi drivers, Auto drivers standing there and shouting slogan. I met a couple of them. I wanted to know why are they wasting time and not doing business. Pooran Chand, an Auto driver replied me, “ Sir ji, hum to Anna ko support karte hein...kuchh nahi hoga to kumse kum bhrastachar mit jaane per, humko to puliswalon ko chanda to dena nahi padega na...hum jante hein ki iske karan humko auto mein ho sakta hey ki meter chalalna jaroori ho jayega, usmein humko nuksan ho sakta hey...magar use kuchh farak nahi padega...abhi jaise pulis wale humko kahin bhi pakad lete hein, galtiyan nikalte hein aur paisa mangte hein...wo to aur nahi hoga na “. The crux of his reply was no matter if they have to implement the meter system strictly, at least they would get respite from the police torture.

When i talked to the educated mass, I felt they really know the reason and fighting for a cause, when I talked to the kids, I understood they are enjoying in the name of Anna, when I talked to the youth mass, I could feel their aggression and readiness to fight for the cause, when I spoke to another crowd, I could feel they really support Anna, albeit don’t know any reason behind it. Similarly another crowd knew only the thing that they support Anna as it would remove corruption from the country.

I spent about 2/3 hours in the ground. Finally while coming back I tried to recollect the entire experience of mine. I realised Anna has really become a name for every one, Anna has become a brand, Anna has become a reason for everyone to gather and raise their voice against any wrong thing. Probably no body bothers what happens, what is the reason of this fight, campaign...but they want it to be successful keeping in mind that corruption will be eradicated.

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