“I’m Anna, you’re Anna, and we all are Annas here.” This is the most applauded roar in the air from each and every individual’s mouth among thousands who raised their voice against corruption across India. Tens of thousands of people had joined peaceful protests across the nation, forcing a weak and fumbling government and an equally hapless opposition to try to placate growing frustration and anger at the political class. From Aug. 16-28, India observed this mass gathering for 12 days.
India has been stunned by a string of corruption scandals for past few months; one after another it arises and links with high profile bureaucrats and politicians.
It has become a craze for people especially for politicians in India to quote and talk about Mahatma Gandhi and what he stood for but it is hardly visible in practical reformation. But in recent past Anna Hazare, a 72-year old ex-army man turned social activist humbly revamped the Gandhi an phenomenon and took the responsibility to enthrall millions of common and uncommon Indians’ vision to fence-in the government.
With a history of civil movements across India which were generally led by Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent protest that led to the end of British colonial rule. But this is a rare instance of India's middle class putting aside their material concerns and chores to take to the streets for a political cause. The near-double-digit economical growth India has enjoyed since the economy was opened up in the early 90’s has uplifted millions of people to the middle class. They have long been apolitical, with many of them shunning the ballot box and paying out bribes to get by, preserving a system where corruption has become a way of life.
Transparency's landmark 2005 study of corruption in India found that as many as 62 percent of all citizens have had first-hand experience in paying bribes or using influence peddling to get jobs done in public offices.
A series of high profile scandals -- including the disastrous mismanagement of the Commonwealth Games and the sale of lucrative mobile phone licenses famous as “2G and 3G Spectrum Scams” which cost the state possibly $39 billion in lost revenues -- appear to be a key tipping point.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2G_spectrum_scam
One activist expressed, "It does not represent the interests of a regional or narrow social group; although it is led by the middle class, corruption is an issue that affects everybody, particularly the poor. And finally, what we are seeing, perhaps for the first time, is a demand for law-making that comes from people rather than their representatives."
This fast-unto-death by Anna had become a mass movement including the youth, and the students took part in different parts of the country in support. A new tactic of movement against corruption, which was non violent yet aggressive was spreading through people’s networks.
Social networking played a big role in uniting millions worldwide with Tweets, YouTube and Face booking etc. Bulk mails, Blogging and SMS’ing texts which are considered as more reliable, no matter the role of hyper 24*7 approach of Indian media played a distinct role in broadcasting Anna’s movement and stirring soul of Indians across India while providing a platform to contribute and broadcast through various means on their websites, live shows and columns.
The awareness speeded throughout the country; more among younger generation of India and growing anger was clustering into protests even in small cities. It had fast galvanized all social activists under one banner. Within two days the movement had spread to nearly 440 cities and towns. Media coverage on Anna’s movement was no less than a movie.
Soon after the Cricket World Cup victory, once again the people were out on the streets; once again the people were on a high but this time for an entirely different cause, for an entirely different purpose.
Among the agitators, were some techies who assisted the movement while creating the websites and pages on Facebook as well. One NGO created the website “http://ipaidabribe.com/” and Facebook page of “India against corruption” sensed the hits of approx. 3, 20000 “likes” where people openly shared their experiences and initiatives for the very common everyday problem.
http://www.indiaagainstcorruption.org/
http://twitter.com/#!/janlokpal
http://www.facebook.com/IndiACor
In broader aspect, the people had lost their hopes favorably for cleaner and well managed law abiding nation. They are victimized every now and then because of the corrupt practices which have become the part of everyday life. They are left with no choices except accepting them reluctantly. This was not the face of India probably then dreamt of by Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders. The democratic phenomenon of people- participation and their role was broadly viewed as mere “voters” and no more as ‘’participants’’. The mania just evoked the people on one common problem i.e. Corruption; to unite for the good; to participate and to say. It created furor for the first time in Indian politics post independence.
Indian journalism was badly lured by the government, bureaucrats and at the hands of fundamentalists who address like King to people, a leader to people, a writer to people etc. The Press was merely the group of influential journalists and manipulative lobbyists. The concept of “feedback” only existed in entertainment part. A change was seen and felt due to ‘alternative media’ practices. The last decade was more influential where the drastic change happened with refined liberal media policies and the foreign media’s intervention.
Despite a less than supportive regulatory environment for the free flow of information, Indians have incorporated digital and mobile media. Reporting on websites is giving voice to under-represented segments of the population. Digital media in particular has opened new doors for ‘people-participation.’ TV Channels like CNN IBN http://cj.ibnlive.in.com/ have created forums for the citizens to share in and out of what are happening and what should be happening & much more.
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