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© 2012 Sanjeev Sabhlok's revolutionary blog
For a very long time now I've advocated restraint and the use of constitutional methods (although I still believe that civil disobedience and protest is a valid method to raise issues in a non-functional democracy like India's).
First Tavleen Singh said what I've been saying.
Nitin Pai said that as well.
Barun Mitra made a forceful case in precisely my language. {Also here}
Shantanu Bhagwat (FTI member) raised this issue here and here. And Vishal Singh (FTI member)
Even Amit Verma, the idle chatterbox, wrote precisely what I've been saying.
Then MMS, otherwise known as India's Overlord of Corrruption, said that.
Nandan Nilekani said pretty much what I've said.
Narayana Murthy who first supported Hazare, then backed out. [here as well]
Hegde, who had earlier firmly supported Anna's fast, has now started speaking my language.
Then Agnivesh, a member of IAC. Agnivesh has gone far enough to accuse Hazare, his former buddy, of a "dictatorial way of working". That's a FAR more serious matter than anyone's every raise so far.
Now even Mayavati - the undisputed Queen (Phoolan Devi?) of Corruption.
The ENTIRE range of opinions – from classical liberal, socialist, to BLATANT corrupt (Mayavati) – now seem to agree that Hazare's point has been made, and while Hazare is entitled to make a protest, he should now, as Mayavati has "dared" him to: "fight the next general elections if … [he] wants the Jan Lokpal Bill to be passed in Parliament" (Source).
How much trouble India could have saved itself had it just listened to my suggestions in the first place?
I'm not being arrogant, just being truthful. Sometimes, it is hard to understand why it is hard for people to understand basic things in life.
If suggestions in BFN are followed, India is GUARANTEED to become not on the world's richest country, but also the most honest.
Give reason a chance! Stop wasting time in idle talk.
Let's get to work. Join FTI.
Addendum
I have always said that I respect even Laloo Yadav and the most corrupt Indian politician more than people who lecture them from the sidelines. Hats off to Mayavati for following the Indian constitution. The laws are bad and so she is corrupt, but at least she is not a terrorist or anarchist or someone who wants to make laws from the street.
Addendum
Other somewhat similar views:
Bring Breach of Privilege motion against Shri Anna Hazare and Shri Arvind Kejriwal by Balaji
Why Some Are Not Anna by Arnab Ray
Balaji has a collected a list here.
Also see Lokpal debate resource page.
India needs reforms, not a super babu 24 AUGUST 2011 KANCHAN GUPTA
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Sharad Bailur Yes. Sanjeev. If only more people listened carefully to what you and I had said in the first place. I have never approved of Mayawati but this time oddly, she is right!
Sanjeev Sabhlok I have always said that I respect even Laloo Yadav and the most corrupt Indian politician more than people who lecture them from the sidelines. Hats off to Mayavati for following the Indian constitution. The laws are bad and so she is corrupt, but at least she is not a terrorist or anarchist or someone who wants to make laws from the street.
I'm in agreement with your analysis that Hazare's methods are extra constitutional and that the widespread popular support he is receiving is a symptom of the public perception that democratic institutions are not working. The public correctly perceives that elections alone are not sufficient to provide a representative or responsive democracy. I don't pretend to know the answer but I believe that a simple and rapid process to recall elected reps would go a long way towards making elected officials accountable to their constituents.
Charu, the “public perception that democratic institutions are not working” is a symptom of a deeper malaise – namely, that the educated middle class has almost always stayed away from politics, handing it over in a platter to the thugs.
So the first step is for the people to get involved in the governance of their own country.
Also, I’d be loathe to have a recall power given to any voter that has not voted for a particular representative in the first place. This means making sure that ONLY those who first voted (say, in 2009) get to vote in a recall process. Other aspects I’m not sure of – how such a thing can work in the first place.
S
Hi Sanjeev
Excellent articles by Manushi
http://www.manushi.in/articles.php?articleId=1530
http://www.manushi.in/articles.php?articleId=1527
and some by Sauvik .. on Antidote .. which you will not publish
Thanks
Hi
This is an excellent opportunity to make a panel and challenge Anna and Team..
Media will also highlight the matter for TRP
This will demand highly intellectual team with famous faces
Cheers
Vijay
I think FTI itself is the panel. We need to make our presence felt. We are offering an alternative, so let’s step forward.