'We the people of India----enact and give to ourselves this constitution'. This is the preamble of our constitution and every Tom, Dick and Harry for some time now has been repeatedly quoting first three words of preamble, i.e. 'we the people'. These people forget what has been the resolution of people of India - The resolution is that people of India will govern themselves in accordance with provisions of the constitution.
The constitution broadly creates a federal structure for governance. It envisages elected legislatures for central and state governments. It also ensures elections at regular intervals.
I have no dispute with those who believe corruption is all pervasive in this country and very serious efforts are needed to get this menace under control. I also agree that the parliament and state legislatures have failed in their duty to give people of India a clean, efficient and responsive govt. As such one can not have any dispute with Shri Anna Hazare.
In order to make parliament to do what people of India want them to do, people of India are also bound by the constitution. As u can not have an extra constitutional executions u can not have legislations by extra constitutional powers. Unfortunately never in any elections so far has corruption been presented as an issue.
The question could be asked, how do we make parliament to pass an effective anti graft law? The answer would be make it an issue go to people, come to power and legislate. If it is not possible create public opinion in favour of your thoughts so that political parties at elections promise to do what u want them to do OR raise the public opinion to such a pitch that the rulers make the laws u want them to make.
In such a case, govt of the day should get scared of a possible defeat in next elections.
In this scheme of constitution there is no scope for coercion. Anna's methods cannot be supported by anyone who believes in constitutionalism. These methods are dangerous. Anna has been able to collect a few lakh of people across the country and is fasting. Unless parliament signs on dotted lines he will not break his fast.
Maybe he is doing it for a good cause. However, if this becomes a precedent, it could be used for dangerous causes too.
Imagine Shri Narindar Modi going on fast till Muslims are disenfranchised. Can't Mr Modi collect more people then what Annaji has been able to collect?
We have problem of corruption. Fight against it but not at the cost of system. After all, what makes India different then those countries which got Independence in last century? It is the institutions it has built. Don't destroy them. Improve there functioning.
I will close this blog with an old Kashmiri proverb, 'u don't burn ur shirt for killing a lice'
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