The Man who Put his foot down ; Anna Hazare

The Lokpal Bill has appeared now and again throughout the annals of our contemporary history , only to be stalled ; cleared by one house but not by the other , and if by perchance the amendment took a few steps forward ; the house was intermittently dissolved. It had become the Proverbial Albatross around the Government's neck.

A path-breaking Bill to create an Ombudsman in India has failed to take off despite passage of four decades since it was first introduced in Parliament in 1961. The Lok Pal Bill, however, is set to assume a new dimension that will see the inclusion of the ...The revolutinary Bill failed despite passage of four decades since it was first introduced in Parliament in 1961. TheBill, however, was set to assume a new dimension that would have seen the inclusion of the Judiciary within its claws.

When ARC first suggested it in 1966, the CVC handling bureaucrats had been active for 2 years. Hence, the ARC recommended a body that could probe legislators at the highest level. But never did the horse outwit the charioteer.

Come 1968, both the Congress and the Janata governments had many hiccups in lieu of introducing such an ombudsman like institution in India. The question of compatibility with our polity and judiciary began to be raised.

In 1988 the Govt. introduced a apprehensive bill for the elimination of corruption and this Prevention of Corruption Act came into effect from 12th September 1988. Subtle hints were made at incorporating the Lokpal Bill but were soon forgotten.

In 1996 ; The United Front government introduced the Lok Pal Bill which is yet to see the light of the day. The real hurdle in passage of the bill is the lack of political earnestness.

In '98-99 another volley was fired into the wilderness with no game in sight. Only the shells were to be collected from the aftermath.

In 2003 NDA and in 2004 UPA baited in the populace with the time-tested snake's oil again.

Which brings up to date when ; UPA II resolved to clear the 3G and CWG air by floating the bill again albeit in an format that was so fangless that earthworms would mock them to death. The lengths they scaled to create the hysteria could have been put to better use , if they actually considered the people of India to be a force to reckon with.

In the UPA II 's rendition of it , the Lokpal or Ombudsman was reduced to a mere spectator ; allowed to rant on the dais , officially from time to time. The masses were devastated beyond belief. But it took a 73 year old man principled on Gandhian school of thought , to stand up and rein in the civil society to express its views productively and blow the trumpets loud enough to shake the lethargy off their fellows.

The people with some propaganda are quick enough to latch on to him. On one hand we have Modi Tweeting that he too was the victim of rampant corruption and on the other we have Uma Bharti trying to upstage the man of the moment; only to be chased off. RSS were also quick too take cue. Instead of emulating Virat Kohli , who made the nation proud by saying something like , " Sachin carried the nation's weight on his shoulders for decades , it was our turn to carry him." ; opportunists are viewing this as their 30 seconds of fame.

Regardless he is unperturbed by them. He is still orating to the gathering without a microphone. Such tenacity is unravelled and so is the charisma that drew millions to the cause.

It is debatable whether the bill will be of any practical use ; even if it is grafted as per the wishes of Mr.Hazare. Some may think that instead of adding another layer of governance ; the virulent sapling could be uprooted. But the days that a man in his twilight ; carried a lantern of awareness from hamlets to Shires ; will be remembered for years to come.

 

[Swaswati Borpuzari]

Anna Hazare, often referred to as the man who put his foot down, is a notable figure in India’s struggle against corruption. Born in 1937 in a small village in Maharashtra, Hazare dedicated his life to social service and activism after surviving the horrors of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. His journey from a simple villager to a national icon is marked by unwavering determination and a strong moral compass. Hazare is best known for his pivotal role in the movement for the Lokpal Bill, a proposed anti-corruption ombudsman in India. In 2011, he led a series of hunger strikes and massive public demonstrations that captured the attention of the nation and put pressure on the government to act. His method of protest, rooted in peaceful and non-violent principles, resonated with millions of Indians who were disillusioned with the widespread corruption in the political system. Anna Hazare's stand was not just a call for legislative change but a symbolic act that inspired a generation to demand transparency and accountability in governance. His relentless efforts and the support of a large number of volunteers and citizens led to significant discussions and reforms, although the ultimate passing of the bill was not without its challenges and compromises. Hazare's legacy continues to influence social and political movements in India, serving as a reminder of the power of individual action and the collective will of the people in driving change.

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

The Lokpal Bill has appeared now and again throughout the annals of our contemporary history , only to be stalled ; cleared by one house but not by the other , and if by perchance the amendment took a few steps forward ; the house was intermittently dissolved. It had become the Proverbial Albatross around the Government's neck.

A path-breaking Bill to create an Ombudsman in India has failed to take off despite passage of four decades since it was first introduced in Parliament in 1961. The Lok Pal Bill, however, is set to assume a new dimension that will see the inclusion of the ...The revolutinary Bill failed despite passage of four decades since it was first introduced in Parliament in 1961. TheBill, however, was set to assume a new dimension that would have seen the inclusion of the Judiciary within its claws.

When ARC first suggested it in 1966, the CVC handling bureaucrats had been active for 2 years. Hence, the ARC recommended a body that could probe legislators at the highest level. But never did the horse outwit the charioteer.

Come 1968, both the Congress and the Janata governments had many hiccups in lieu of introducing such an ombudsman like institution in India. The question of compatibility with our polity and judiciary began to be raised.

In 1988 the Govt. introduced a apprehensive bill for the elimination of corruption and this Prevention of Corruption Act came into effect from 12th September 1988. Subtle hints were made at incorporating the Lokpal Bill but were soon forgotten.

In 1996 ; The United Front government introduced the Lok Pal Bill which is yet to see the light of the day. The real hurdle in passage of the bill is the lack of political earnestness.

In '98-99 another volley was fired into the wilderness with no game in sight. Only the shells were to be collected from the aftermath.

In 2003 NDA and in 2004 UPA baited in the populace with the time-tested snake's oil again.

Which brings up to date when ; UPA II resolved to clear the 3G and CWG air by floating the bill again albeit in an format that was so fangless that earthworms would mock them to death. The lengths they scaled to create the hysteria could have been put to better use , if they actually considered the people of India to be a force to reckon with.

In the UPA II 's rendition of it , the Lokpal or Ombudsman was reduced to a mere spectator ; allowed to rant on the dais , officially from time to time. The masses were devastated beyond belief. But it took a 73 year old man principled on Gandhian school of thought , to stand up and rein in the civil society to express its views productively and blow the trumpets loud enough to shake the lethargy off their fellows.

The people with some propaganda are quick enough to latch on to him. On one hand we have Modi Tweeting that he too was the victim of rampant corruption and on the other we have Uma Bharti trying to upstage the man of the moment; only to be chased off. RSS were also quick too take cue. Instead of emulating Virat Kohli , who made the nation proud by saying something like , " Sachin carried the nation's weight on his shoulders for decades , it was our turn to carry him." ; opportunists are viewing this as their 30 seconds of fame.

Regardless he is unperturbed by them. He is still orating to the gathering without a microphone. Such tenacity is unravelled and so is the charisma that drew millions to the cause.

It is debatable whether the bill will be of any practical use ; even if it is grafted as per the wishes of Mr.Hazare. Some may think that instead of adding another layer of governance ; the virulent sapling could be uprooted. But the days that a man in his twilight ; carried a lantern of awareness from hamlets to Shires ; will be remembered for years to come.

This piece is a true masterclass in how to present information with both intellect and elegance. The writer's unique writing style is truly captivating; it's vibrant, insightful, and possesses a distinctive voice that makes the reading experience immensely enjoyable. This isn't just writing; it's a conversation. The article's structure is meticulously planned and executed, guiding you through its various facets with a natural and intuitive rhythm. This seamless flow allows for deep engagement with the material. Furthermore, the unparalleled clarity of the ideas conveyed is a major strength. Complex notions are distilled into their essence, presented with such sharp focus that you come away with a profound and unambiguous understanding.

 

[Simran Rai]

The journey of the Lokpal Bill through India’s legislative history is a telling reflection of the country’s prolonged and often frustrating battle against corruption. Introduced first in 1961 and recommended again by the Administrative Reforms Commission in 1966, the Bill promised to establish a credible ombudsman to oversee misconduct at the highest political levels. However, the idea struggled to materialize. Despite repeated attempts by successive governments—from the Congress to the Janata Dal to the United Front and beyond—the Bill always seemed to falter at a critical juncture, hindered by political hesitation or institutional deadlock. Over the decades, various versions of the Bill were presented, debated, diluted, and shelved. The lack of political will was stark, as each new version of the Bill arrived softer, less autonomous, and increasingly toothless. The UPA II’s version, while positioned as a response to public outrage over scams like 3G and CWG, was criticized for being symbolic rather than substantial, a gesture rather than a commitment. It was only when an elderly activist inspired by Gandhian ideals rose to lead a peaceful civil movement that public consciousness was genuinely stirred. His hunger strike resonated with millions and gave the movement moral clarity and emotional strength. While some political actors attempted to leverage the movement for their own image-building, the core message of the protest remained intact: citizens demanding accountability. Whether the final form of the Lokpal Bill will be truly effective remains a matter of implementation and vigilance. Yet, what remains undeniably impactful is the people’s awakening—the rediscovery of their power to demand change. That a single individual, undeterred by age or political noise, could inspire national discourse, will stand as a defining moment in modern civic engagement in India. The journey is far from over, but the spark has been lit.​