Kisan Baburao Hazare , an ex-Army driver became the voice of the nation, the voice of the masses. Nobody had thought that a 74-year-old could create such an appeal among the masses. Anna Hazare shook Parliament with the power of his voice, and successfully mobilised the nation. He touched an issue that moved every Indian who has ever been a victim of corruption. Hazare and his team knew that the road to social change is difficult, and that is why they took the extreme step of going on a hunger strike. As per the team, this was a constitutional method and enhanced the faith of the masses in them. Nobody had thought that the whole nation would stand together to fight against corruption . When an issue has such immense appeal, any means to change the world is justified. However, it could also have major repercussions in the future. Tomorrow, influenced by Anna Hazare, anyone may sit on hunger strike and try to get their demands fulfilled. Some have argued that Hazare's demands are unconstitutional, and amount to interfering in the legislative process. But I feel that for battling corruption, a factor that affects people from every walk of life, employment of any means is justified.
*Chandni Nangai, X-A Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan
I am in favour of the Jan Lokpal Bill. It will help the common man address problems relating to corruption, and provide for grievance redressal systems. What's more, if implemented well, it will give effective protection to whistleblowers. I am completely with Anna Hazare. I hope that he succeeds and accomplishes his mission. Also, I pray that he has the strength to carry on with this fight against corruption in our country. Anna, a famous social activist, came into the limelight because he has vowed to fast unto death. He urged the government to accept and implement the Jan Lokpal Bill, and proposed to put power in the hands of civilians to end corruption.The Bill has been pending for 43 years now. Anna’s fast moved people so deeply that thousands of them, from places across the nation, took to the streets.
*Sweety Garg, Bharti Public School, Mayur Vihar
*Sweety Garg, Bharti Public School, Mayur Vihar
Corruption thrives in our country because there is little or no implementation of the existing laws. Laws are meant to act as deterrents, but you need honest and good people to make them effective. Hazare and his group of self-righteous middle-class moralists are, of course, justified in fighting corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. It would perhaps make people aware of the issue and oust corrupt politicians. They, however, cannot do much about bureaucrats. Also, their efforts are hampered because all political parties have corrupt people. It is like throwing out a crook and bringing in another. In a nation that is enveloped by corruption, Anna has awakened people to its evils. He thinks that an honest nation can progress more rapidly than a dishonest one. Ancient visitors to India have spoken a lot on the honesty and hospitality of the people of India.Recent ones only have corruption to talk about. It was difficult for Anna because the government and its members were not interested in eradicating corruption at all levels. So, Anna is justified in what he has done.
Karan Sabharwal, Bharti Public School, Mayur Vihar
Being a democratic country, everybody has the right to express themselves. But some limits have to be set for it. Though Anna Hazare’s mode of expression was non-violent and peaceful, I don’t think it was the democratic way of doing things. The matter could have been discussed and resolved, instead of forcing the government to obey him. It was as if Anna was always threatening the government, stating that he would go on an indefinite hunger strike if his demands were not fulfilled. In a country that is always faced by some threat or the other, Anna asked his followers to gather in the most strategic spot in Delhi and gherao Parliamentarians. This was almost like an open invitation for anti-social elements to play their dirty tricks, resulting in something very tragic. Automatically, the blame would have fallen on the government for being irresponsible. Hazare should have thought about our security, and talked the matter out instead of doing things his way.
*Chhavi Gupta, X-B, Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan
The JAN Lokpal Bill is likely to bring about a complete change in our country. It will introduce us all to a new beginning. India Against Corruption is a citizen’s movement, brought about to fight graft in every section of the society. Social activist Anna Hazare is fighting for a very noble cause. The protest woke up the people, and the whole world saw that India was a united country. The main agenda highlighted during the protest was the adoption of the Jan Lokpal Bill. But does everybody actually know what the Bill is all about? The answer to my question is ‘no’. Many of the people at Ramlila Maidan didn’t even know what they were protesting for. Also, they did not plan ahead, as to what the next step should be, after they get the Bill. Though Hazare’s fast was a fight for the people and their welfare, it does not have a road map that will lead them to their goal.
*Aishwarya Singh, X- A, Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan
Karan Sabharwal, Bharti Public School, Mayur Vihar
Being a democratic country, everybody has the right to express themselves. But some limits have to be set for it. Though Anna Hazare’s mode of expression was non-violent and peaceful, I don’t think it was the democratic way of doing things. The matter could have been discussed and resolved, instead of forcing the government to obey him. It was as if Anna was always threatening the government, stating that he would go on an indefinite hunger strike if his demands were not fulfilled. In a country that is always faced by some threat or the other, Anna asked his followers to gather in the most strategic spot in Delhi and gherao Parliamentarians. This was almost like an open invitation for anti-social elements to play their dirty tricks, resulting in something very tragic. Automatically, the blame would have fallen on the government for being irresponsible. Hazare should have thought about our security, and talked the matter out instead of doing things his way.
*Chhavi Gupta, X-B, Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan
The JAN Lokpal Bill is likely to bring about a complete change in our country. It will introduce us all to a new beginning. India Against Corruption is a citizen’s movement, brought about to fight graft in every section of the society. Social activist Anna Hazare is fighting for a very noble cause. The protest woke up the people, and the whole world saw that India was a united country. The main agenda highlighted during the protest was the adoption of the Jan Lokpal Bill. But does everybody actually know what the Bill is all about? The answer to my question is ‘no’. Many of the people at Ramlila Maidan didn’t even know what they were protesting for. Also, they did not plan ahead, as to what the next step should be, after they get the Bill. Though Hazare’s fast was a fight for the people and their welfare, it does not have a road map that will lead them to their goal.
*Aishwarya Singh, X- A, Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan
Agreed, Anna Hazare took a small issue that almost everyone in our country relates to and spun it brilliantly to get a huge, sympathetic response. But the method he used to push for the Lokpal Bill was not justified. F ast until death is political blackmail. It is a form of theatrics one would engage in to coerce the government into doing something that the agitators want, and challenge the constitutional authority of Parliament. Whatever may be the cause, a single person cannot be allowed to dictate laws to the whole nation. No body can compel the government to draft a new law as per his or her desire. As Arundhati Roy said, Anna’s campaign “could have turned from something inclusive to destructive and dangerous”. Today Anna goes on fast; tomorrow other Annas will come mushroom, resulting in anarchy and chaos.
*Yalini Ravi, XI C, Bal Bharati Public School, Pitampura
*Yalini Ravi, XI C, Bal Bharati Public School, Pitampura
In the last few weeks, a man has emerged — claiming that he can bring about a solution for the country’s corruption issue. Anna Hazare has been portrayed as the reincarnation of Mahatma Gandhi due to his “non-violent” method of carrying out his crusade. As it turned out, Team Anna literally held the democratic government of India hostage in order to force their demands on the Jan Lokpal Bill. The Bill, according to Anna, is the magic wand that will uproot corruption from India, and it requires the Prime Minister to be brought into its ambit. For accomplishing this target, he held a fast against corruption. His idea of pushing the Jan Lokpal Bill through hunger strikes and protests, in my opinion, has been rashly compared with Gandhi's views. If I remember right, the Mahatma always said that the goal of fasting was to reform the adversary, and not a ways to get your terms into the paper. Thus, i would conclude by saying that it will be right to support Anna's voice against corruption, but not his method of fasting,
Siddhant Patra, IX-A, Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan
While I support all possible measures to halt corruption and flow of black money, I do not support the method adopted by the team led by Anna Hazare. I do not want to destroy the constitutional mechanism and institutions of which I am proud of, notwithstanding their shortcomings. If the Parliament is not reflecting and acting as per the interests of voters, we need to elect candidates and parties that will meet our aspirations. We cannot destroy the Parliamentary system, just as we cannot destroy the judiciary, the rule of law, the bureaucracy and the free press. It should be noted that many other countries, which were from the English yoke in the last century, have not been able to achieve as much as we have in terms of governance.
Karan Verma, XI-A, Bharti Public School
According to me, the whole fasting campaign was an act of dominance shown by Anna on the issue of Jan Lokpal Bill. I don’t consider his method as an act of wisdom. Is this the way to express your views on such huge issues? I can’t understand how you can force a government to pass a Bill under such immense pressure. It wasn’t justified on Anna’s part to do so. This will not only lead to many more incidents like this in the future, but also weaken the power of the government machinery. Admittedly , the cause was important, but the way in which it was worked out was not right — in my opinion. What kind of example would this set for the coming generation? For instance, if the government wants to take a crucial decision at some critical stage, it will not be an easy task for them. People opposing the decision will go on “anshans” to oppose the government’s decision. In such a scenario, how are the administrators supposed to run a country that has such a large population, and people with such differing views.
*Rohit Dadwal, XII A, Bharti Public School, Mayur Vihar
Social activist Anna Hazare has been in the news for creating a stir in the nation due to the Lokpal Bill. His attempt to make the government accountable to the citizens by way of fasting created an upsurge in India. But the question that arises is — Was Anna’s fast a citizen's right to protest or plain arm-twisting? Yes, to a particular section of the society, it did seem like he was armtwisting the government and instigating the masses. I don’t think his was a rational, practical and realistic way of combatting corruption. It seemed like Anna Hazare's protest had gone too far, becoming a form of blackmail. It is a matter of public knowledge that there are two versions of the Lokpal Bill. The government has introduced its version. Let public opinion force Parliament to enact the law that suits its demand. Anna’s undue pressure to force the issue had the potential to disrupt public peace, and left the government with no option but to detain him. He demanded rights that were not included in the government’s Lokpal Bill. Hazare cannot be compared with Mahatma Gandhi, who never fought for inclusion of his name in a committee. The way things are going, it seems like anybody can force the government into agreeing by going on a fast.
Karan Verma, XI-A, Bharti Public School
According to me, the whole fasting campaign was an act of dominance shown by Anna on the issue of Jan Lokpal Bill. I don’t consider his method as an act of wisdom. Is this the way to express your views on such huge issues? I can’t understand how you can force a government to pass a Bill under such immense pressure. It wasn’t justified on Anna’s part to do so. This will not only lead to many more incidents like this in the future, but also weaken the power of the government machinery. Admittedly , the cause was important, but the way in which it was worked out was not right — in my opinion. What kind of example would this set for the coming generation? For instance, if the government wants to take a crucial decision at some critical stage, it will not be an easy task for them. People opposing the decision will go on “anshans” to oppose the government’s decision. In such a scenario, how are the administrators supposed to run a country that has such a large population, and people with such differing views.
*Rohit Dadwal, XII A, Bharti Public School, Mayur Vihar
Social activist Anna Hazare has been in the news for creating a stir in the nation due to the Lokpal Bill. His attempt to make the government accountable to the citizens by way of fasting created an upsurge in India. But the question that arises is — Was Anna’s fast a citizen's right to protest or plain arm-twisting? Yes, to a particular section of the society, it did seem like he was armtwisting the government and instigating the masses. I don’t think his was a rational, practical and realistic way of combatting corruption. It seemed like Anna Hazare's protest had gone too far, becoming a form of blackmail. It is a matter of public knowledge that there are two versions of the Lokpal Bill. The government has introduced its version. Let public opinion force Parliament to enact the law that suits its demand. Anna’s undue pressure to force the issue had the potential to disrupt public peace, and left the government with no option but to detain him. He demanded rights that were not included in the government’s Lokpal Bill. Hazare cannot be compared with Mahatma Gandhi, who never fought for inclusion of his name in a committee. The way things are going, it seems like anybody can force the government into agreeing by going on a fast.
Ashutosh Chauhan, XII- A, Bharti Public School, Mayur Vihar
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