‘Fatigue factor’ blamed for dwindling numbers
Even as a moderate crowd turned up on Sunday at the indefinite protest of social activist Anna Hazare in support of his demand for a strong Lokpal, the former Karnataka Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde, a prominent member of Team Anna, has suggested that Mr. Hazare tour the country to mobilise support for his movement.
“Anna should start moving out to other parts of the country. He should tour different areas, especially rural areas. It is rural areas from where our strength comes,” Mr. Hegde told The Hindu here on Sunday.
He admitted that the ongoing protest in Delhi had not evoked the same kind of response in comparison with his two previous protests, which had seen a massive participation by the people.
However, he made it clear that it did not mean that people were not with Anna. Calling it a “fatigue factor”, he said: “I am hundred per cent sure that people are with Anna.”
“This (dwindling numbers) is not surprising because most of the supporters of Anna come from a particular class of society and they have their own work to do and commitments to keep. We cannot expect them to come down to the streets,” he said.
Asserting that people had continued to be on Anna’s side and that still there was anger among them (against the system), he said the question now was how to mobilise them again.
“Any way this movement would not have succeeded so easily but for the civilian splurge of support received by Anna that even frightened the establishment. ,” he said.
Hoping that the response for the ongoing protest would also pick up, he said: “Let’s test their (people’s) patience.”
Keywords: corruption, Anna Hazare, Lokpal, Santosh Hegde
Do the Indian Middle Class Citizens (journalists and lawyers included)
really think that the corrupt & devious politicians will run away from
looting and ruling over India, which they currently deem as their
divine right, after reading the internet blogs & posts? WHO DO THEY
THINK WOULD DO THEIR HARD WORK FOR THEM?
Do they realise that: (i) India's economic development is being
severely held back by a few thousand families “rich beyond
imagination” carrying out their mega loots with impunity, with support
of the grateful middle class who benefit from corruption in some way,
however small, (ii) society is decaying fast, reducing the quality of
life of their children/grandchildren, and (iii)eventually when the
public can’t tolerate any more, society could plunge into anarchy &
destruction – putting at risk “the accumulated wealth and privileged
lifestyle” – illegally acquired or not - as world history repeatedly
records?
IS THE INDIAN MIDDLE CLASS SLEEP WALKING INTO SELF-DESTRUCTION?
I too agree with Mr. Hegde. Poor crowd is no inference to say people are not with Anna.
This a great movement after indepedence. Thanks to anna and team for sincerly fighting for this noble cause. Everybody from media to buerocrats to common people, all should support this movement. Lets make Indian corruption free this time....Anna we are with u.
What people? A large section of the population, including me, have no
faith in Anna. We believe that there are more important ways to face
corruption, like a nation-wide "no corruption" pledge, publishing the
names and offices of those who ask for bribes, etc. The Lokpal Bill is
being examined by the Select Committee, which is as per protocol. What
are these people protesting against? We need economic reforms more
urgently than any SIT.
Justice Hegde has made a very valid point. Why doesnt the movement go to those States that are not having or appointing LokAyukths? There are several such issues that can get success and support. The arrogance of the former CM of karnataka in not allowing the State to govern despite the LOk Ayukth's report is a serious issue. Similarly, the lack of LOk Ayukth in Gujarat for 8 years is another issue to be taken up. Electoral reforms to prevent money power and candidates with criminal cases from being elected are issues that need to be taken up seriously by the movement. Merely harping on the Jan Lokpal bill to the rural audience may not get support as well as they are not aware of the legal issues involved. A another main issue is that even the educated erstwhile supporters are disillusioned by the present leaders or advisers to Anna hazare. Almost all of them are not free of any blemish and the movement needs to revamp its core committee with people of integrity.
I fully agree and endorse the views of Mr Hegde. People are behind Anna team with or without him. They should not feel dejected.
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