2011- As corrupt as it can get!
Summary: As we prepare for the new year ahead, a little retrospection on the year that was is required as the country continues to make headlines for wrong reasons….
2011 was a significant year for India. We ushered in the new year with the 2G Spectrum Scam- and at the end of the year- we stand on the other side of the Rubicon furthering our demand for an effective and strong Lokpal Bill. The anti-corruption movement took centre stage and India joined other nations of the world by ratifying the United Nations Convention against Corruption, 2005 (UNCAC). With numerous scams and scandals rocking the country, activism against corruption also saw a new high as people across the country gathered on the streets to battle against the venal graft. So here’s a quick rewind of the year that was !
Starting off with scams
In early 2011, the entire nation looked forward to starting the New Year afresh with strong resolutions, dreams and hopes. But soon every citizen rudely woke up to the country’s biggest scam of the year- The 2G Spectrum. What was worse is that anyone and everyone from the political fraternity was accused of being party to the scam. As investigations progressed Tihar jail became the latest celebrity hotspot, a new visiting address for all those found guilty. This was followed by the CAG putting the 2G scam loss at a staggering Rs. 1.76 lakh crore.
But that was not all. As the nation watched the uncovering of the telecom saga, other scams such as the ISRO Spectrum Allocation Scam, the Bellary Mines scandal followed. What was of equal significance is that for the first time, women were publicly implicated and accused of being active co-conspirators.
The arrival of a messiah
The big ticket scams caused huge losses to our public exchequer but successfully galvanized the middle class like never before. Already angry and frustrated with governance, administration and the corrupt system, the scandal succeeded in rousing them from their deep slumber. The arrival of a ` messiah’ who made strong speeches and promised to eliminate corruption and clean the system was all that was needed to send the entire country off on a heady spin into discussions, debates and agitations over the corruption issue. Anna Hazare set forth on his arduous journey to combat corruption and managed to mobilise overwhelming support from local and global citizens to become the new face of the anti-corruption campaign. But the movement was not without its share of drama and controversy. He was taken into preventive custody, detained by the Delhi police just ahead of his fast and also went through bouts of periodic ill health.
Debates over democracy
More debates and analysis ensued regarding the democratic process, with the government’s actions being termed unconstitutional. The country witnessed widespread public outcry. Conversely, while lauding the efforts of one man who was successful in galvanizing an entire nation and paralysing the government; the country also debated over whether the pressure tactics adopted by our civil society organizations were democratic and not along the lines of a witch hunt . As Team Anna pressed for the “ my way or the highway approach”, which was criticised widely as majoritarianism- something that lacked inclusivity, his strategy to fast as a method of protest was seen by many as a coercive tactic that forced the government to comply with his demands only out of fear for his health and wellbeing.
The movement also generated heated discussion as critics deliberated over how empowering and all-inclusive these participatory processes were. Noted social activist Aruna Roy and other members expressed their strong reservations as is evident from the following quote to the media: “Anna group was being intolerant by asking for their version of the Bill to be passed immediately and without any discussion. Nobody has the right to say we alone are right. Democracy is about recognising and allowing multiple and diverse views”, thus overtly questioning the extent to which such pressure tactics by the civil society are justified in the name of democracy. When talking about liberty, perhaps expecting every government to grant the same to its citizens is natural, but it is equally imperative for citizens to engage in a progressive, consultative process and not in witch-hunting politics.
Online becomes a new platform for public opinion
The role of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) paradigm cannot be undermined as increasingly, global movement of technology and digital media projects have been instrumental in their efforts to encourage public participation in political processes and thereby influence systemic change by promoting government transparency, and accountability. And what better case study than the anti-corruption movement! Unlike conventional methods of protests which were limited to the actual physical location of the campaign; the war against corruption went online as armchair and online activists took the cause to heart and propelled it into the farthest corners of cyber space. This allowed for it to reach and mobilise people from not just India but all across the globe. Using modern communication tools, the anti-corruption crusade witnessed massive online activism. Using social forums like Facebook and twitter, activists garnered worldwide support and the figures say it all. Its mobile campaign was aimed at asking people to express their solidarity by giving a missed call on a certain number. It registered more than 7 lakh missed calls. The number of Facebook members increased from 5 lakh to a staggering 12 lakh in just two days. Tweeters tweeted non-stop and the hash tag #isupportannahazare became the top trending topic in India.
India’s ipaidabribe.com, a platform for citizen’s to report cases of bribery and corruption gained global recognition as multiple websites replicating the site’s proposition mushroomed across countries like China and Pakistan. It also entered the World Bank Institute’s Research on ICT facilitated access to information for increased transparency and accountability.
Emergence of a strong civil society
To strengthen democracy and make it meaningful, we cannot undermine the role played by civil society. As Anna Hazare launched the anti-corruption campaign, one witnessed the emergence of a strong and robust civil society that stood together against the perceived corrupt system.
While India Against Corruption spearheaded various protest events, one saw groups such as the National Alliance for People’s Movement led by Medha Patkar join the battle against corruption.
On the other hand groups such as the National Campaign for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI) though supporting the need for reforms and a strong Lokpal, were not on the same page with Team Anna.
Nevertheless, there is no denying that every stage of this movement was been influenced by and in turn, influenced civil society. Various versions of and recommendations for the Lokpal draft were also floated around and paved the way for a consultative platform that marked the evolution of our democracy. Of all the proposed drafts, the most commonly discussed one was the version formulated by Aruna Roy of the National Commission for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI) which recommended a series of interlocking bodies that would act as a check on each other rather than a centralised, overarching Lokpal supervising everything. An architecture of mutually supportive legislation was central to this version.
The movement was also successful in mobilising action not just in the heart of the capital which was the actual ground of actions, but across the country as people stood up in solidarity. While protestors in Mumbai thronged the Azad Maidan, Freedom Park was the chosen venue in Bangalore. Similar protests, rallies and demonstrations were held in other cities as well.
Fingers point back
Soon a new turn of events unfolded and it was time for the preachers to be under the scanner. The popular saying ‘Practice what you preach’ was proved right as team members of Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement were allegedly accused of various corrupt practices and tactics themselves. Differences of opinion between members of Team Anna stood exposed with Swami Agnivesh accusing India against Corruption of lacking transparency. Following this Kiran Bedi was accused of mishandling funds while Arvind Kejriwal faced the flak on account of major financial irregularities. It was then lawyer Prashant Bhushan’s turn as he was attacked for his comments on Kashmir. As the core team faced serious allegations and accusations, Team Anna’s credibility stood challenged.
Baby steps towards policy and systemic change
India finally became party to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, 2005 by ratifying the same in May, 2011. This was indeed a significant step for the country as it was a mark of support for the international community’s efforts to combat corruption and increase transparency.
As countries struggle to tackle this endemic problem, the UNCAC serves as the first legally binding international anti-corruption instrument. But this legislation in itself will not be successful unless every State Signatory initiates reforms and steps towards enforcing stronger anti-corruption regulations and policies. Further, the Cabinet also approved and cleared the Lokpal draft bill with Constitutional status. However, there is still no consensus between the civil society organisations who refused to accept the draft, as it does not include all the provisions recommended by them in toto.
Current scenario
The anti-corruption movement has entered its third round of negotiations currently. The Lok Sabha has passed the Lokpal Bill, but without giving it a constitutional status. However, the Lokpal ball is now in the Rajya Sabha court, as it will be introduced in the Upper house of the Parliament and put to vote soon.
While 2011 unfolded with dramatic intensity and witnessed peaked activity, we now stand on the threshold of a new year. The hope is that the positive developments witnessed towards the year end will carry through to 2012 and perhaps usher in the much needed reforms and overhauls required to cleanse the system and restore our faith in a government, administration and bureaucracy that will truly be for the people.