Anna domini

The day Indian Parliament bowed before the people, for better and worse

It was not the uncalled-for pot shots that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swarag took at Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi for his speech in parliament a day before. It was not even the rather high quality debates in both Houses on the contentious issue of Lok Pal. Nor was it actor Aamir Khan singing to thousands of supporters from the stage at Ramlila Grounds as Kiran Bedi did her thing with the Indian flag.
The lasting image of historic Saturday would be a fast-fatigued, 74-year-old ex-soldier sitting on stage and clapping gently, as the day ended with the government meeting his demands.

It is important to recount Anna Hazare's army background as it was something that happened while he was a truck driver with the army that shaped him into what he is today. During the Indo-Pak war of 1965, as the Pakistan Air Force launched air strikes on Indian bases, and all of Hazare's comrades were killed, he was the only survivor of a convoy. It was a close shave for Hazare, as one bullet had whizzed past by his head. This led him to dwell on the purpose of life and death. And turned him into an unrelenting civil rights activist who first transformed a remote village in Maharashtra, and is now well on his way to rid India of corruption. And there is only one way for him to get things done. His way.

A little before Saturday noon, while Sushma Swaraj was speaking on the Lokpal in Lok Sabha, Hazare took the microphone and launched an attack on MPs from the stage at Ramlila Grounds where he had been fasting for 12 days. "Today, there are 150 MPs who are facing criminal charges. We have some expectations from them. They did not live up to it. In the coming elections, we are not going to elect them. Next time, do not elect them as they are not performing according to the rules laid out by the Constitution.

I will tour across the country and appeal to the people not to elect useless parliamentarians," Hazare said. This, on a day, when parliament rose to great heights with both, the government and the Opposition coming together to debate the Lok Pal so that Hazare would end his fast. A day when parliament became about the people, to fulfill the aspirations of millions across the country who had hit the streets shouting, 'I am Anna', demanding a strong Lok Pal.

Yet, Team Anna (a motley crew of former police officers, civil servants and current dissenters) were not impressed. Not yet. 'A sense of the House' was not enough, not until they put the resolution for voting. Hazare and Co. hardened their position, saying it was "betrayal" and only a resolution that will be put to vote will be acceptable.

By end of day, both Houses passed a resolution conveying the sense of the House on the Lokpal Bill, paving the way for Hazare to say he'd break his fast today. A victory, truly, for the People.u00a0 Who would not be happy that now, finally, we are taking steps to cure India of corruption. Yet, a few sticky points remain. Will this be the only way to pass bills now? What if fasting becomes the order of the day? And Ramlila Ground becomes the new parliament. What if a Hurriyat leader with the support of thousands of Kashmiris sits on fast unto death tomorrow, demanding an independent Kashmir? What if a top leader of the Bajrang Dal does the same to take away voting rights of Muslims in India? What if the People hit the streets again?

Daipayan Halder is Resident Editor, Mid Day, Delhi