Over the events that have transpired between the Govt and Anna during the last few days, It's impossible not to get drawn into the argument of who's right and who's dictating terms, etc. etc. As the events played out today, I saw/heard some interesting things on the telly...
First off, the Govt. seems to be completely silent now (on Friday - Aug 19 2011), letting Anna & co., overkill with their comments on apparent victory. It's a safe strategy, waiting for an opponent to make some stupid remark, then pounce on it and make that the issue. It's worked for them in the past, and yep, it will work for them now and in future.
Secondly, everyone's shaking their heads and going 'oh, Anna & co. seem to dictate things, not the way to go.' Well, that's what you get as a Govt when you overplay your hand. I seriously thought Govt got called out on their own bluff this round (game's still not over). With all due respect, the drafting terms discussions have been going on for over four months now, and there were some serious climbing down done during this time by both parties. For one, when the first fast was called off, there were promises to take the draft made by Anna & co. and engage them in discussions. What transpired during those meetings, we really don't know. Those who accuse of Team Anna being arrogant, I wish they could display the 'missing' audio tapes of the 'discussions' that took place. I would love to hear that and then judge after knowing what was the rationale behind certain exclusions and inclusions from the draft made by Anna. This might be as an effect of those discussions, we might never know, if those tapes are never found (Strange how things have a tendency to go missing if it suits the Govt).
Due respect to some of the Anna's experts, I thought the step to hold out was a masterstroke. It's not practical, I'm sure a climbdown is on cards, but as a negotiation tactic, it was brilliant. Bending or showing weakness at any instance would have blown them away by now. You don't need to think or look too hard, just the 'fast against corruption' that happened soon after Anna's fast, you know the one that I was talking about, where the threat of arrest after police detention (& god knows what other threats) got the person running out of town in a salwar kameez. Enough protests have fizzled out under similar circumstances. It didn't happen in this case, maybe Anna must be thanking the poor freeloader for giving an insight as to the capabilities and actions of Govt. All things said & done, ouch, that mistake of overreaching by the Govt is going to make a few 'intellectual' heads roll.. :)
Next, I'm frankly surprised by all the 'oh, it's attack on the democracy and parliament' comments. Wow, didn't you think the preventive detention, the arbitrary police actions against common citizens to be undemocratic, or have people gotten so used to it that it's acceptable. I was astonished to watch an interview on CNBC where a minister was saying that for every political protest you must expect an arrest, that he himself has courted so many arrests under this section, etc. etc.
By making Anna jump hoops and hoping that he would trip up while doing them or try to catch him cutting corners making the whole country watch too, the Govt overplayed it's hand again. Anna not only called out the play but also upped the ante and called an audible by staying in jail until 'his terms' were met. Result: Blitz - Headless chickens running around while an old man stayed in 'detention, not arrest' and began his fast. Now That was a raise, Mr. Ministers, and you were pot-committed to play along.
Finally, every one who is fighting the Govt's fight please remember that the Govt is already armed itself with rights to self-interest like raising its own salaries, easing tainted ministers and corrupt officials into plum public sector postings, trying to bell the judiciary themselves, all in the eye-wash of they are 'self-regulating'. Well, to the oft asked question 'Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?' (who will guard the guards) someone's atleast making an effort.
'This would create a dangerous precedent'. To Quote a response to that exact statement from Yes Minister: 'Translation: "If we do the right thing now, we might have to do the right thing again next time" That's what they're really saying :)
With all due respect to political class of the country including the officials - This has been a disaster of epic proportions, and as politicians and democracy experts worry about the over-reaching consequences of this bill, please remember that every other citizen lives under the fear of law.
I admire the unsinkable ability of Anna to remain afloat despite every attempt to drown him with authoritarian tactics. While his ability to rise has also directly proportional to the predictability of Govt, what has sustained him has been the strength and resolve of his commitment against corruption and in staying his course.
Lose sight of that, and/or try to 'overplay the pair of aces', you will be blindsided. To Quote Yes Minister: "The Opposition aren't really the opposition. They are only the Government in exile. The Civil Service are the opposition in residence."
Disclaimer: Irresistible events and actions over the past few days prompted this blog, I'm neither for or against any version of the Lok Pal Bill, I find lots of things said and done by both the Government and Anna & co. acceptable, and in equal measures not acceptable.. I'm not taking sides - not planning to get drawn into that argument at all, just plan to have fun watching.
