Monday, August 22, 2011

My take on Jan Lokpal Bill and Anna Hazare

I feel that Jan Lokpal bill is not the solution to end corruption in India. It could be just another means but could play havoc to democratic foundations if misused just as any other law (remember TADA). As it is perceived by many, corruption is not a "Rakshasa" which can be killed. But it is more like a virus which has spread among us and it needs to be eliminated just like a virus is. It is attitude of most Indians towards corruption that has to be changed.
"when we do it, it is just an adjustment and when others do it, it is corruption." Until every Indian realises that when they do it, it is the same corruption that is all talked about,
corruption will remain a part of India.

I do feel that corruption in India must end if we want to prosper as a country and as an individual. Indeed, such a mass support to end corruption is very positive sign. People of India are not as passive as they looked. But this power of people must be channeled constructively. The members of so called 'Civil Society' must spread awareness about the grass root corruption that has plagued the Indian society. And how that has to be changed from bottom up, if we really want to end corruption.

As a civilian, i may ask myself ,
do I pay extra money to auto-rickshaw to get preference, Do i pay double the money to get LPG cylinder illegally, In fact do i feel it is illegal? Do i pay zilla parishad/ municipal officer to get better posting place as a primary teacher ? Do i pay bribe(read donation) to get admission to my child in the engineering college? Do i pay at police station to get a certificate for loss of mobile ? Do i declare my additional income for filing Income tax? Do i give receipt of all the payments as a shop owner ? Do i pay in cash when i buy a 20,000 Rs mobile to save VAT ? Do i pay 100 Rs to traffic police without demanding a receipt ?
If i am not concerned about these issues then there is no point in discussing scams and frauds that happen all across India.

Corruption is at all levels. it is in government, it is in NGOs, it is in schools , it is in private sector too. it is in most of the institutions. To end it we should imbibe this value into next generation that any kind of corruption is not a good thing. It must be understood by every citizen of this country that corruption is bad whoever does it. Only then it will end.

No bill, no act can help solve this issue singularly unless the people and their mindset change.