An 'Anna'rmed Protest

Dedicate it to my dear friends who are quite annoyed with the numerous updates and videos posted in the Social Networking websites regarding the ongoing protest by the Anna team. Their comments questioning the selfish motive behind the protesters, supporters and the broadcasters motivated me to write this blog.

Here I am, trying to compare two movements that took place in our country, one which happened 6 decades ago and the other, which is ongoing.

I was taught in my school that ‘standard’ freedom fighters of our country like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose fought for the freedom of our country. And I also happened to read that India got its current ‘shape’ (Not considering the POK and Chinese Invasion) because of the struggle of one man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who negotiated with the princely states to merge with India.

So, the question is, what is the ‘India’ they referring to in the ‘War of Indian Independence’ if the country was born after the independence?

My assumption is not all fought for the ‘Indian Independence’. Few did fight, the ones who were smart enough to decipher what would happen if the British agreed to leave. (I am sure the rest of them were stunned when we got independence. “Are you sure you are leaving? Ok. What do we do next? Whom do we fight?” They had no idea what was coming! LOL) But most fought for their own cause. Few fought for the humiliation they faced under the British. Few fought for being highly taxed (Not referring to Lagaan!). Few fought for Power and Authority they would achieve if the British leave (You know who!!). Few fought them for hurting their religious beliefs. And most of the Kings fought for their pride and Kingdom. And I believe the history book collectively called this ‘The War for Indian Independence’.

Now back to 2011, for all those who ask the motive behind the political parties bombarding the Government on Anna’s arrest, Corruption and Jan Lokpal Bill, and those saying the media utilising Anna’s for the TRP, and celebrities supporting is just their Publicity Stunt. All I have to say is, WE CARE A DAMN!! In the end, if all these collectively result in curbing Corruption, we would be more than happy!!

It took us little time for us to realise that these traders who came to our country have actually started ruling us. That obviously did not go well with us. We wanted to chase them out. But how? We had No Idea. So, we tried everything possible.

Few preferred an eye for an eye method, few preferred breaking all the laws British had enforced (Must have been fun!), few decided to wage war building army, few wrote journal and articles in newspapers and few wrote petitions requesting them to change the law they enforced (I love their optimism).

For those who think that Posting in Social Networking websites serves no purpose and cannot be compared to the kind of reach a TV/Newspaper Media can reach, here is a fact. The literacy rate in India at the end of 1947 was 12%. How much of help do you think the Newspapers would have helped in those days? Still people preferred voicing their concerns through this media. S C Bose owned Swaraj Patrika, Bal Gangadhar Tilak owned Kesari. Were they insane to publish newspapers in a country with just 12% of population who can read?

There were few who instead of fighting them preferred writing petitions to them. Do you call them lazy or fools to be trying their bit for Independence in their own way?

Many fought wars against the British, possessing guns and artilleries, with sticks and swords. There was no doubt they were going to lose the war. But they did what they could do.

And for those who say you need to protest only from the place where it actually matters –

When Gandhi announced to march from Sabarmati to Dandi, a lot of his ardent followers decided to do the same in their own villages. They made salt from nearby seashores. When Gandhi announced Quit India Movement, Many decided to support the movement from their backyard. British for sure wouldn’t have noticed them. It wouldn’t have matter if they protested or not, it wouldn’t have made a difference. Nobody even talked about them. But they did. If you find any one of those who participated in these movements, not necessarily beside Gandhi, you would still find a sense of pride on their face.

When you really want to support a movement, it doesn’t matter if people are watching you doing it.

If your voice reaches the concerned, there is nothing wrong having a silent protest. A 1000 whisper can still spoil a sleep.

And just to add up, social media communication has changed the world in such a remarkable manner (Good and bad). We saw it foster the Jasmine Revolution and Orange Revolution. We saw it influencing the Iran Elections. You might argue that these might have had an effect only in smaller countries like Ukraine or Tunisia, and in a country like India with 1 Billion Population it may not be so effective. But until these revolutions took place nobody even believed social media could be of any help. And regarding to be noticed or not, Indian government did refer to monitoring the social media websites few weeks back. Also the TV Newspaper media make sure to have a closer watch on these sites (Thanks to the Celebs) just to keep a tab of what is trending in the world today.

And to those who are irate over the name Anna being popped on their page all the time, let me tell you, people are not chanting his name, because he is their maternal uncle. It’s because he is up there fighting an Authority for a matter which worries a nation. I agree one man fasting is no big deal when compared to those many kids in this country who starve everyday for a day’s meal, but remember this fight, if successful, can make sure that there is enough food tomorrow to feed those hungry stomachs.

And Last but not the least, to those few friends who vaguely posted regarding ‘Anna advocating public flogging (punishing) for those who drink alcohol in his home town’. My friend, a crime can be stopped only by the fear of punishment. If that flogging stops them from drinking, why not flog them? Unlike us who are quite happy with the ones who dare to enter our home and kill all our brothers and all we do is provide him a feast and Z class security. Until the likes of Afsal Guru, Kasab and other terrorist are severely punished, I wouldn’t be surprised if there are terrorist attacks Mumbai, Delhi and other big cities in couple of years. Remember, the motive behind punishment is not to hurt but to change a person. Where love can’t change a man, fear does.

Finally, there is nothing wrong being different. It is always good to swim against the flow. That doesn’t mean you try having food from the other end of your body. You don’t have to hate Anna just because there too many people who support him.

Let us not forget that we all want to see our nation in better place. We all want this corruption to be eradicated. Whether or not this can be done is not something which we need to know. But, it’s our duty to keep trying. At least support the ones who are trying.

Be the change you desire to see.

Jai Hind