Having slept over the unprecedented events of Saturday–when we witnessed a rare capitulation of our political class before people’s power, the morning after hangover is a mix of joyous pride and some worrying, rather cautionary, thoughts. First the celebratory part: So when did all of us –or at least most of us—feel this good as a nation? That’s not a difficult one. It was in early April when India won the World Cup in Mumbai. The euphoria was much more, the celebrations more widespread and wilder but really the comparison is not apt. We should also not forget how short the shelf life of that cricket related feel good has been! Anna began his protest just a couple of days after the historic World Cup win and has stayed in the nation’s consciousness ever since. There could not have been a more unlikely man of the moment in the India of 2011. A man in his mid seventies, an ex soldier, from a rural background, with not even a working knowledge of English – hardly the oomph recipe to connect with India’s youth! But connect he did. And how! It was probably a combination of the Anna package and the overall circumstances which did the trick in Anna’s favor. Indians love to idolize a person who does not have worldly belongings. We crave for riches but worship those who give up everything. Anna Hazare measured up on that score perfectly, coming across as a mix of a hermit, fakir and a sanyasi with no family, no house and no bank balance. For all his mass connect and rustic appeal Baba Ramdev lost the battle the day he announced that he presides over a Rs 1000 crore business empire. His riches became a millstone around his neck as the government unleashed its investigative agencies against the Baba and his key aide, Acharya Balkishan. In contrast Anna Hazare became the perfect Pied Piper because of his unblemished track record and selfless image. There could not have been a better time to connect on the issue of corruption. The image of the political class had hit rock bottom, there was a sickening regularity to the eruption of a new, bigger scam every few weeks and the patience of Indians , particularly its young, was running thin. All that was needed was a spark. People needed a messiah and a symbol to rally around. It’s important to remember that only Anna could have fit that bill because only someone who would be seen by everyone as totally clean and completely incorruptible could have led this battle against corruption. Full marks to those who thought of Anna and made him the mascot of this agitation because without him this campaign against corruption would have been a non starter. One can’t praise, idolize and thank Anna enough for his moral courage and making Indians believe in themselves once again. Most people had given up on the system and accepted defeat. There was widespread acknowledgement that as a country we would never be able to match up to the guile of our rulers and were thus condemned to helplessness. So thank you Anna for making us believe in ourselves. For injecting a sense of empowerment to a generation which had almost given up and was resigned to the system. It was an unique sense of exhilaration many experienced with each small victory Anna scored these past few weeks. It’s important to savor that taste and build on this victory. Images from the people’s movement: [fpgallery id=163] But now comes the worrying bit. First it is important that we do not get carried away by this success which in the overall scheme of things –and in the bigger battle for the country’s rejuvernation—is but a small step in the right direction. [caption id=“attachment_71591” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Indian social activist Anna Hazare waves the Indian flag after release from Tihar Jail, after which he began a 12-day fast. Sajjad Hussain/AFP”]  [/caption] Like Hanuman people have been reminded of their power. But it’s important that this power is used judiciously going forward. Let nobody in team Anna live in a fool’s paradise and believe they now have a magic wand to mobilize the masses and shepherd them in any direction they want. Not only will they not succeed, doing so may even undo all the good work which has been done up till now. The public is no fool. Corruption was an emotive issue which affected everyone. It was an inclusive issue. Great care has to be taken to ensure that Anna does not become a victim of his own success. His moral authority needs to be used sparingly and only on issues which unite all shades of Indians. Or else the same people who turned up in huge numbers across the length and breadth of the country –helping Anna humble the mighty establishment and the ruling class—will put him in his place. By simply not showing up! So far Anna Hazare has show a great sense of equanimity in his hour of triumph. For his own sake and for all those who have now come to adore him, it’s important he stays that way!
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