Bangalore Stands up against Corruption
Posted on April 15, 2011
The winds of change are blowing gently over Bangalore. Post the UN declared Anti-Corruption Day on December 8, the city has been witness to a number of anti-corruption events that have brought local residents out of their homes to protest marches and demonstrations, as well as online and offline public forums to have their say. Not surprising considering that Prof G Venkatasubbaiah openly expressed his dismay at the 77th All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana saying “Now Karnataka has earned the dubious distinction of being the most corrupt state in the country”. Statistics on www.ipaidabribe.com recorded that Bangalore city tops the list with 2413 bribe reports received so far. So what did Bangalore do to stand up for what it believes in? Here are the dates that got blocked for everyone who possesses a `protest- against -corruption diary.’
December 11, 2010 – Saaku Bangalore finally said `enough’ and Dec 8 2010 saw a kick off Conference against Corruption organised by the Public Affairs Centre. An anti-corruption Baton passed through at least seven city colleges on Dec 9 -10 and on Dec 11, a Walk was flagged off by former athlete Ashwini Nachappa which had eminent dignitaries including former Chief Justice MN Venkatachalliah, well known RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal, Lok Satta founder Dr Jayaprakash Narayan and Dr R Balasubramaniam, founder of the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement walking to protest against the corrupt administration and governance of the state . Over 500 people walked from Vittal Mallya Road to the Shanthinagar Hockey Stadium as well as organisations who joined hands - www.ipaidabribe.com, Loksatta, Forward 150, Praja, Namma Bengaluru Foundation, Daksh, Empowered Bengaluru, Smart Vote, Anti-Corruption Committee, Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement, Mysore, World Alliance for Youth Empowerment, Yuva Bengaluru and Coalition Against Corruption. At the Hockey Stadium, Bangalore band Thermal and a Quarter did their bit for the campaign and Swarathma’s composition was posted simultaneously on YouTube. Tweeters tweeted non-stop in support and colleges pitched in with students from BMS College of Engineering, National College, St Joseph's College of Arts, Indian Institute of Science, Mount Carmel College, PES Institute of Technology, Jyothi Nivas College, and R V College signing up for the Rally.
Bangalore says 'enough'!
Jan 30, 2011 – Anti-Corruption March To commemorate Sarvodaya Day, Bangalore got on its feet again to protest against corruption. The procession began at Mahatma Gandhi’s statue with a walk around Kantheerva Stadium that ended back at the statue, where several leaders spoke their mind on the issue. Young and old alike gave up their Sunday to walk around the city, carry anti-corruption posters and banners, pin on badges and shout slogans against corruption. The protest also demanded the passing of the Jan Lokpal Bill and strong anti-corruption laws. It was organised by the Art of Living Foundation with participation from India Against Corruption, Janaagraha, www.ipaidabribe.com, Saaku and other organisations. The India against Corruption Banner took the March to other cities on the same day and was also supported intensely by the online community on FB and Twitter who walked through cyberspace to show solidarity for the cause.
Against the backdrop of Cubbon Park.
February, 2011 – Bribe Bandh www.ipaidabribe.com launched Bribe Bandh, a platform to collect one million signatures so we can urge the government of India to ratify the UNCAC and thereafter make stronger and more effective laws. The UNCAC recognises TWELVE acts that amount to corruption but India recognises ONLY the following as corruption: • Bribery of National Public Officials • Embezzlement, Misappropriation and other diversion of property by a Public Official • Laundering the proceeds of crime. This allows many perpetrators to slip away scot free because those incidences are not recognised as corruption. Signing will help create a collective voice for the battle against corruption. The campaign has so far acquired 33,881 signatures so far and is still counting!
T.R Raghunandan, Coordinator of Ipaidabribe.com speaks up.
April 5 – 10 2011, Anti-Corruption protests at Freedom Park Anna Hazare began his fast in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on April 5, and like the rest of India, Bangalore sat in solidarity at Freedom Park, Bangalore. Well known Bangaloreans including H.S. Doreswamy, Jnanpith awardee U.R. Ananthamurthy, writer G.K. Govind Rao, film director Nagathihalli Chandrashekar and actors Upendra and Pooja Gandhi amongst others, spoke out in support. Corporate executives took time off to come sign the petition for the notification of a Joint Panel and passing of the Jan Lokpal Bill. Candles were lit at IISC and Freedom Park, stickers were distributed, placards were carried with supporters ranging from 8 year olds to college students, home makers and senior citizens. The online community posted and tweeted ferociously in support and all across the city, for five days, Bangalore could talk of nothing else except the pros and cons of both the Bills, the method adopted for the protest and the final outcome. The protest and fast had positive results and was a powerful expression of public opinion.
A precursor to Freedom Park
More than four events in four months! It is an impressive score for a city often accused of apathy and armchair activism. Like we said, the winds of change are blowing in gently, but surely.