Why Anna type movements are common in India?

In 1947 patriotism as well as pride for our own government was at the highest. But by 1974 people were so dissatisfied that they launched a mass JP movement against the government. Thereafter again in late 80s VP Singh led another movement against the government. Now many warriors of those two movements are in the Parliament and people, in the leadership of Team Anna, are on the roads again, this time against the politicians in general. Why?

‘Feudal King and subjects’ has been the structure of Indian political system for the ages. Then came the British and maintained more or less the same structure. The status quo for the first time was challenged by the freedom fighters. The structure they changed to ‘British-Subjects-Alternate (Freedom Fighters)’. The British were forced to leave the country and they formed a government for the public by the public of the public, form of government elected by them. The structure created is ‘Government-People-Opposition’. A section in the society still does not seem to have adjusted to this structure. At some point or when opportunity comes people do try to look for an alternative; in 1974 it was ‘JP & Party’, in 1989 it was ‘VP Singh & Dal’ now it is Team Anna! They are creating a system of ‘Elected Government (or politicians)-People-Alternate (Civil Society)’. It seems the components are changing but structure remains the same.

Many people still identify establishment as an authoritarian and feudal setup. In ‘First pass the post’ system of election a lot of people left unrepresented and those with minority vote may form a government. Coalition, a recent phenomenon, has also added to this. Those whom people reject in the poll may end-up being a part of government through parallel door of coalition. Other people because of personal reasons, upbringing, brain wash, prejudice or peer group pressure may oppose the system. On the one hand vote percentage is almost always low, on the other hand, a huge crowd may gather for an agitation. It is deep rooted in our society to fight against the establishment on occasions. Therefore, we need people like Anna Hazare or Ramdev.

Neither the governments nor the alternates have been able to meet this group’s expectations, which at times are unrealistic and fantasies. Repeated failure to make their voice heard and meet their demands makes them cynical and resigned, and this spread to other people as well.

Now first of all they must acknowledge that the system is theirs and they need to make it better, rather than to oppose it. They should work on regular basis to strengthen it. Not sporadic participation in the uprising followed by a deep silence! There should be increase participation in elections. People have many opportunities to elect their representative. Time and again it has been proved that people can select or reject a candidate and a government, they need to use that power judiciously. There may not be a short cut, but small-small step can go a long way in strengthening people’s governments.