Anna vs. Baba: Who Truly Understands Democracy and Leadership in Modern India?

Ignorance in Representative Democracy

Both Anna and Baba display shocking ignorance of the workings of a representative democracy. Both want the death penalty for the corrupt, a savage demand, given the fact that capital punishment is a highly controversial debate worldwide. Both lack proper formal education. They are ambitious, trying to use the name and success they earned in their respective areas of activity to claim a national profile, far beyond their intellect and capabilities.

Anna could command more credibility perhaps because all of us like our leaders to be old, pious, and poor. Baba is young, rich, stylish in his own way, and flamboyant—the combination that suggests an instant scam. These are things that we secretly aspire to but loathe in others, especially in our leaders.

Comparing Anna and Baba

But I like Baba more than Anna. Anna has achieved something extraordinary in his village, but he has failed or did not bother to scale it up to other places. He drifted from one issue to another and finally landed in the alien territory of lawmaking. He had the backing of international agencies and media.

The Baba is a self-made man who became an international figure in just 15 years flat after he left his village. Puritans deride his yoga, but he is a genius as far as discovering the market potential of the ancient practice is concerned. But for his ill-informed adventure into politics, Baba Ramdev is one of the biggest successes of free-market India.

The Real Battle: People of India vs. Political Powers

It's not a question of either Anna or Baba (Anna vs. Baba). It's a question of the people of India versus the ugly powers of politicians and bad governance. One doesn't compare a Bhagat Singh to Sukhdev, Rajguru, or Chandrashekar Azad. The objective is one, even if people have their own ways of reaching it.

What have Anna or Ramdev done to the government after all? Give us transparency and clean governance... that's it.

And the powers that be are using all their money and might to subdue the voice of the common man in India through media, forums, and false propaganda. But unfortunately, the people of India have arisen and are no longer misled by such false statements given by politically motivated people. Read in Yahoo News forums, and you will get an idea of how much dirt there is in current-day politicians with complete facts and figures.

Even when Mahatma Gandhi began his struggle with the British, he had to face ridicule from like-minded people. The rich, the superpowers who are not affected in any way... but it was the common voice of the people for the common objective which finally won.

Regards

Dear Fellow Countrymen,

This is a call to support the initiative of the "Lok Pal Bill" as proposed by Anna Hazare & Team. Please come out of your comfort zones and support these initiatives. When Anna, a veteran old man, and Arvind Kejriwal, an IITian, can fight for us, isn't it our duty to show support towards their initiative by participating in their meetings and gatherings?

Remember 16 August 2011

Anna will begin his fast unto death for the demand of justice for the people of India. We have this opportunity to make India a better country. Without supporting such initiatives, can we have the right to complain against corruption in our land? Think for yourselves...think hard...Arvind Kejriwal is an example of what youth can do. He is the real youth icon, fearless, brave, and courageous. Don't just watch TV and discuss, participate. We want participation and not mere claps.

Make India a Better Country

Remember, we have this opportunity to make India a better country for our coming generation. If we let go of this opportunity by sitting comfortably in our homes, history will not forgive us, and our children will not forgive us. When our freedom fighters could give their lives for the country, can't we do this little thing of just participating in this cause for the common good? Don't think so much, just get up and move, find out when and where IAC has organized meetings in your city, and just participate. Understand the motive and the finer points of this "Lok Pal Bill". Remember, if you fail to turn up, there would be a "Joke Pal Bill" which would be passed in the parliament. It's up to you, my dear fellow brothers and sisters. What do you want, that will happen...Lokpal or Jokepal?

Act Now for Real Freedom

If our freedom fighters had kept thinking, they would have never acted, and we would have never got independence from the British Raj. Now, after independence, it is our turn to get freedom in the real sense for the people of India. Pessimists might complain that such initiatives are of no use. Remember, if you try, you will succeed or might fail, but if you don't try, you will no doubt fail. Try it, my dear friends, get into the act NOW. Believe me, you would be more than happy that you did!

Vande Mataram!

Jai Hind!

Mumbai: 14th August, Nanavati School, Vile Parle (W), 5 pm

Mumbai: 15th August - Lights off in all homes from 8 pm to 9 pm in protest

Mumbai: 16th August, Azad Maidan 10 am

In a democracy, contrarian views are welcome, and let me recount the gains of the Anna movement.

1. The movement has been a success as it is a public response to the failure of existing institutions and the lack of a self-corrective mechanism to rectify. Therefore, external pressure became essential. Is it not shameful that successive governments have dragged their feet on the Lokpal issue, as it goes against the entrenched vested interests of politicians and bureaucrats?

2. If democratic institutions and elected leaders had performed their assigned tasks, there would have been no need for alternatives like the Anna Hazare movement. In practice, elected leaders do not remain in touch with their constituencies after they are elected. Anna Hazare has set an example of leadership emerging from the response of popular sentiments. To carry this argument forward, if everyone elected to Parliament/State legislature/Municipality/Panchayat reflects the will of the people and provides democratic leadership, alternatives like Anna Hazare would not emerge.

3. Unseemly bickering to score political points, instead of focusing on public interest, has become a normal routine in Parliament and State Legislatures. The discussion on Lokpal, under pressure from Anna Hazare's fast, was an exceptional event when the ruling party and opposition parties came together to resolve the issue before them. If Parliament continues similar performance, the number of bills pending before it would be attended to. It would appear that without sustained public pressure, elected representatives do not perform.

4. Lastly, please look at the educational qualifications of elected representatives at MyNeta - Candidate Affidavits for Elections in India - Information from National Election Watch (National Election Watch by the "Association for Democratic Reforms"). There are innumerable cases of elected persons with criminal records. The level of education also does not instill confidence in these elected representatives. Om Puri was politically incorrect in calling them "ganwar" (as reported in the media), but he had a point of view that cannot be ignored. Electoral reforms are, therefore, the next issue being taken up by Anna and his team.

I agree that there are positive and negative aspects of recent developments that have shaken up everyone. One should be thankful to Anna and his team for raising issues of public concern.

Regards,
Anumon Lakshmi

3, Srinivasamurti Avenue Adyar, Chennai

My notes