Jan Lokpal first step to revive and redeem Democracy

Anna Hazare's Jan Lokpal Bill
Democracy is a form of government in which all citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal (and more or less direct) participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law. It can also encompass social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination. The term comes from the Greek: δημοκρατία – (dēmokratía) "rule of the people", which was coined from δῆμος (dêmos) "people" and κράτος (Kratos) "power", in the middle of the 5th- 4th century BC to denote the political systems then existing in some Greek city-states, notably Athens following a popular uprising in 508 BC. Sadly our Indian Political System stems from bygone Royalty and Dynastic Rulers. The present system is an apology and insult to Democracy- The Constitution is not worth the piece paper on which it is written- the founders have not visualised that Criminals can artfully run a fake Democracy and blind the citizens and attempt to make them criminals!

We salute Anna Hazare who is reviving Democracy and awakening the National Conscience. This is the defining moment in India's history where 1.2 billion people and the poor are crying out for Freedom from Corruption. Power emanates from Citizens!

Jawaharlal Nehru had made the freedom speech, Tryst with Destiny to the Indian Constituent Assembly at the stroke of midnight on 15th August, 1947 little did he know that the India they had claimed back from the British rule would again be captured and ruled this time, though by its own citizens. Perhaps it was his prescient nature or good understanding of the human psyche that failed Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar to visualize Political Criminals could thwart Democracy and usurp power for corrupt purposes. To that extent there is a permanent deficiency in the Constitution- and Politicians fear to revisit or amend it for fear that their criminal activities will seal their fate!

Our democracy is replete with instances where the conduct has been dictated by brute state power, not by its own power of reasoning. Today, after a traumatic transition to democracy it is the same vain lot that runs the affairs of the state. So there is hardly any difference in the style of governance or in its attitude.

We take pride in having an elected government but it is the same known corrupt people the tax evaders, the bank defaulters, the smugglers and the criminals who are foisted upon an illiterate, poor electorate unable to make an informed political choice. The elections under prevailing system throw up not necessarily the best, the noblest or the fittest but the scum of the society (cash for votes syndrome), because they are manipulative enough to grab power. It is thus axiomatic that elections alone, even if they are fair and impartial, do not make political democracy.