125. Evenings @ Jantar Mantar

From India Gate we return to Jantar Mantar. We are instructed to walk without ‘slogans’. Not exactly Silent March, only no Slogans. I appreciate the wisdom of the organizers. They realize that people are tired. During our March towards India Gate earlier, we had innumerable slogans. Today it is not Candle March but ‘Plate and Spoon’ March – so that the government can hear the ‘voice of people’.

For last 45 minutes we have nonstop chanting of “Vande Maataram”. “Inquilaab Zindaabaad” and “Bhaarat Maataa kee Jay” are the two other popular slogans. One slogan that makes everyone smile is “Sonia Jisakee Mummy Hai, Vaha Sarkaar Nikammee Hai”. Not only youngsters but middle aged women and men are enthusiastically participating in the Protest March.

But as now there are no slogans, people are talking amongst themselves. I am walking alone. I have no one specific to talk to. So I overhear many conversations – to my left and right, behind me, in front of me – everywhere. It is all “off camera”. People do not know that I am listening to them.

A group of college students. One boy says,”You know, this is for the first time I am participating in a Protest March. Always watched in on TV and U Tube. I am feeling great about this.”

One of his friends must have smiled. Because the same voice asks, “Why are you smiling? I am not joking.”

His friend responds, “You talk about Protest March. As far as I remember, this is for the first time I am walking on the road for such a long time. Feeling good about it. There must be many people who have to walk daily. I am trying to imagine their life.”

There is another group of young boys and girls.

One boy emotionally says,”You know, this old man has no family.”

“What do you mean?” asks a girl.

“We all are his family,” argues another boy with fervor.

“Listen yaar! I am saying that he has no grandson, son, daughter, land, estate etc. to take care of. He is not fighting for himself. He is doing it for us – so that we live a better life” – the first boy explains.

“You never said a better thing than this,” his colleagues appreciate him.

And there is another group.

A girls says,”WC celebration was best, but this is bestest.”

“Why?” her friends want to know.

“Actual cricket is played by Sachin, Yuvi, MS, Zak, Gauti, Bhajji and others. We celebrate their victory, but our contribution is zero in that. But here we are actually contributing to a national cause,” she explains.

“Don’t forget that those 300 people on hunger strike are the real contributors. We are just walking,” a down to earth fellow reminds them.

“Sure, they are the real heroes. But we are also doing a squirrels’ job. This is a memorable moment of my life,” someone adds and everybody agrees – even the down to earth fellow!

One more group.

“Let us join Jail Bharo on 13^th,” a girl suggests.

“What if they really put us in Jail? Will the police beat us? Will the college rusticate us?” another girl is certainly frightened.

“Come on yaar! Police will do nothing of that sort. There would be thousands of people – more than the jails can accommodate!” one boy explains.

Another boy motivates the group, “We have read about Bhagat Sing and other freedom fighters. They died for us. Now this is our time, our moment, and our responsibility. Let us not run away.”

“Yes, we will do it” they all say in one voice.

I see a middle aged woman walking alone. I speak to her. She is overwhelmed by the presence of youngsters – their number as well as their enthusiasm. She adds, “I appreciate and enjoy this atmosphere. Delhi crowds almost always misbehave with women. But here they are taking care of girls and women. If someone touches or pushes by mistake, he immediately says “sorry” and he means it. This is how a good cause, a good environment changes people.”

I completely agree with her. As you all know, at Jantar Mantar veteran social activist Anna Hajare along with hundreds of volunteers is (was) on fast unto death demanding Jan Lokpal Bill. I am in the midst of crowds; all unknown faces; for hours in the evenings. I don’t at all feel insecure even at 10.00 in the night. There is such a “feel good” wave around. This is a different Delhi altogether than I have experienced so far.

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A lot has been written about and a lot more would be written about: Anna Hajare, Lokpal and Jan Lokpal; Role of Civil Society and Parliament; Core Group of Jantar Mantar; How Government read the situation wrongly; How people from all walks of life participated spontaneously; Gandhiji’s way of Satyagraha; How people have lost trust in politicians; Strategies of this movement; Media Campaign; Institutionalization of democratic processes etc.The discussion and debate has begun.

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I would be guilty of telling you half truth unless I share the other side of this rosy picture.

People gather in large numbers at Jantar Mantar to support hundreds on hunger strike. And what do they (at least some of them) do?

After shouting few slogans and capturing themselves in digital cameras, they turn to food stalls. They shamelessly consume food. They are here to support people on hunger strike; can’t they control their hunger for few hours? What do they mean by support?

The food stall garbage bins are overflowing. Nobody cares about maintaining hygiene surrounding the people on hunger strike. This dirt might increase health risks – but nobody is bothered about it. The volunteers must be working overnight to clean the area – is it their job?

Almost everyone has a camera. Many are engaged in capturing only themselves. Will they still come if cameras are not allowed?

Slogan shouting has become an unquestionable and the only symbol of patriotism. Even while Anna Hajare is speaking to journalists (open press conference), the slogan brigade can’t keep quiet. Organizers request crowd to make a way for carrying (on stretcher) a seriously ill person on hunger strike. A young man shouts, “Bhaarat Maataa kee...” I tap him on shoulder and tell him what the announcement is. He says “sorry” and walks away. If he can’t shout, he is not interested.

One group is shouting “Man Mohan Sing, Bhaarat Chodo” – without understanding the fact that the Prime Minister is as much Indian as they are. Another slogan says, “Bhrashtaachaariyonko Golee Maaro”. When some of us respond to it by saying, “let us not use violent language. Non violence is the fundamental principle of this movement”; the group moves away in another direction.

Some youths are throwing empty water bottles on the road and have to be reminded that garbage bins are to be used.

A journalist accuses Anna Hajare of ‘blackmailing the government.” She clearly lacks common sense. To make such a baseless accusation with so much of confidence; in front of thousands of supporters is not wise. The crowd spontaneously hoots at her; does not allow her to complete the sentence. It is another matter that Anna Hajare answers her question. Agreed, journalists are not Gods. But the behavior of the crowd cannot be justified. What kind of society we want to build, where we are not ready to even listen?

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I have some doubts about the spontaneous mass participation.

Is it another kind of mass hysteria? Instead of “Sachin, Sachin” now the whole nation seems to be shouting “Anna Hajare, Anna Hajare”. There is the same madness of making Anna Hajare into a kind of God, but we would abuse him any moment. The cause of the fight is superficially understood – as if it in only the responsibility of the old man! People seem to think that Jan Lokpal Bill magically would change everything overnight! That is such a distance from reality! For many it seems of another kind of entertaining event; something to get excited about; something to discuss.

Joining “India Against Corruption” movement is very easy. Give a ‘missed call’ (no expenditure for you), click a button on Facebook or Twitter and you belong to the movement. If you can come to Jantar Mantar or any other spot and join a Candle March- well and good. I did all this and understood the hollowness of it. I found that this was the easiest way of contributing, becoming a part of history making epoch. However experience has taught me that ‘to belong’ to some idea, to some cause is much more demanding. It is not an easy path. You cannot commit to a cause without giving your comforts, your luxuries. You cannot change the society without changing yourselves first. But here it was all very easy. It is not just a matter of participation but matter of life values. What values the crowds have when they support this movement?

If it turns out to be a real fight, will the numbers sustain? Will the enthusiasm remain? Would the unity be visible? (As it is there are obvious fractions in the movement!). The police force was alert but not harassing. If State decides to handle the situation with violent means (thankfully it did not happen this time); will the leadership be able to motivate people to resist in non-violent way? What if things don’t remain easy and long term battle is required? What if we have to really renounce, to give up something to contribute?

Time will answer these questions.

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This very crowd was in “One Day Maataram” mode few days ago. The shift from “One Day Maataram” to “Vande Maataram” is appallingly overwhelming. I feel joyous about it. I feel proud about it. I feel encouraged.

For a moment I leave those ugly moments behind, ignore them for a while. And I remember hundreds of inspiring moments. The “off camera” glimpses speak volumes about the strength, determination, commitment and courage of nameless and faceless citizens. What they need is trustworthy, honest and creative leadership. Will it happen?

Will the paradigm shift remain with us? Will the commitment infuse enthusiasm in us? Will the sense of duty and responsibility prevail? Will the sensitivity and responsiveness sustain? Though I am not blindly euphoric about it, the evenings at Jantar Mantar have certainly enhanced my optimism. I never believed in ‘India Shining’ propaganda. But I guess India is certainly awakening again. That is what evenings at Jantar Mantar promise me.

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