Colloquium Lab

Report
on

Anna Hazare Strategies in Mirror

of Indian History

Submitted To: Submitted By:

Mrs. Priyanka Sharma Abhinav Pareek
Lecturer in CA dept. M.C.A. 4th Sem.
 Anna Hazare Against Corruption

Kisan Baburao Hazare, popularly known as Anna Hazare (June 15, 1938), is an Indian social activist. who is
especially recognized for his contribution to the development of Ralegan Siddhi, a village in Ahmednagar
district, Maharashtra, India and his efforts for establishing it as a model village, for which he was awarded the
Padma Bhushan by Govt. of India, in 1992. He is also one of the leading figures who championed the cause of
Right to Information Act in India for his crusade towards fighting corruption in public offices.

Early life and background

Anna Hazare was born in a poor family. His father Baburao Hazare was an unskilled labourer and his
grandfather worked for the army. His grandfather was deployed in Bhingar which made Baburao and family to
move to Bhingar, where Anna was born. Anna’s grandfather died in 1945 but the family continued to stay in
Bhingar until 1952 when Anna's father resigned from his job and returned to Ralegan Siddhi. Anna had
completed his education up to fourth standard and also had six younger siblings. The family's financial situation
was tough. Baburao's sister, who was childless offered to take care of Anna and took him to Mumbai.

Anna's father had trouble making ends meet and eventually had to sell off his farmland making life tough for
the family. This forced Anna who was in Mumbai and just completed his seventh grade in school to take up a
job. Anna worked for a florist at Dadar, Mumbai earning about forty rupees a month. He eventually started his
own flower shop. Two of his brothers came to Mumbai to join him in his business, increasing the family
earnings soon to about 700-800 rupees a month. Vivekananda's thoughts gave meaning to his life and he
decided to devote the rest of his life working for the society. He read many more books by Vivekananda,
Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave.

 In the Indian Army

Anna Hazare started his career in the Indian Army as a driver in 1963. He spent his spare time reading the
works of Vivekananda , Gandhi, and Vinoba Bhave; they inspired him to become a social worker and
activist. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 he was the only survivor in a exchange of border fire while
driving a truck in Khem Karan sector. During the mid-1970s he survived a road accident while driving.

Making of Ralegan Siddhi into a model village

Ralegan Siddhi was one of the worst victims, hopeless social and economic situation and irresponsible village
leadership before 1975 when Kisan Baburao Hazare, affectionately know as Anna Hazare served in Indian
army, until he retired voluntarily in 1975. His close brush with death in the 1965 war changed the course of his
life. He decided to dedicate himself to work for the welfare of others and returned to work for the betterment of
his own village, starting with the re-building of the temple.

Anna Hazare believes that religion has a strong influence on people. He says: “God is everywhere, but a child is
first introduced to him in the temple. It is here that he receives education on the important values and morals of
life. In a broader sense, the village itself is a temple where people serve and pray and learn the meaning of life.”
The dilapidate condition of the temple in Ralegan Siddhi, from where wood had been used to fuel the liquor
dens, symbolized to Anna the condition of the village. Since the temple represents the cultural heart of a
community, Anna felt that renovation of the temple would be the best way to demonstrate his unselfish motives
and created an interest in his activities. With his provident fund of Rs.20, 000+/-, Anna began the Renovation.
Inspired by his selfless devotion, first the youth, then the rest of villagers slowly began to rally around him.
Villagers, especially the youth group began gathering here everyday to discuss their problems and matters
related to the welfare of village.

Gandhism
Anna utilized individual centred Gandhian methods for bringing about moral pressure on the people. When the
high school was started in Ralegan Siddhi, and the state government was not ready to sanction grant to the
school, Anna quietly started his fast outside the Zilla Parishad's office. When the village people came to know
of it they also joined him in hundreds. The state government had to yield to their demand. In another instance,
when a couple of families continued to leave their cattle free for grazing in spite of explaining to them the
importance of stopping open grazing and of taking up massive tree plantation programme, Anna and some
youth members went on fast for two days to make the people understand the seriousness of the ban on open
grazing.

Restoring the green cover

Trees are the greatest friend a man can have, they keep environment clean and healthy. They also fulfill the fuel
& fodder needs of village. Recognizing this, the villagers undertook a massive tree plantation drive. Almost 3-4
lakh trees were planted and nurtured. "Social fencing" was introduced whereby villagers voluntarily prevented
cattle, goats and sheeps from grazing freely. Open grazing was completely banned with a new emphasis on
stall-feeding (Kurhad Bandi). The Sarpanch (head of the village council) of Ralegan narrates: "There is a
surplus of fuel wood and fodder. We now help neighbouring villages in their time of need." As fodder became
available in abundance, the productivity and number of milk animals increased.

 Prohibition
Alcohol has ruined many families in rural India. The existing laws did not have teeth to ban the sale of alcohol
in villages. So he decided to press the government to make a law for prohibition if 50% women demanded for it.
Ultimately, women are the most affected lot if their husbands are drunkards. By the new Act, the women of any
village can collectively demand for ban on sale of alcoholic drinks in the village. If a minimum of 50% of
women complain to the District Collector about their sufferings and request for total prohibition in the village,
the Collector can hold ballot paper election in the village.
There will be two signs on the paper – one being a bottle in standing position and another
being in a horizontal position. The women will cast their votes. In the evening, the votes will be counted. If
more votes are in favour of ‘horizontal bottle’, then the Collector will ban the sale of alcoholic drinks in the
village and cancel the license of the seller.In many villages, the licenses have been cancelled and total
prohibition came into reality after this Act. In some villages, the alcohol sellers have manipulated the election
with money power. Anyhow, this Act has supported and strengthened the women. Women have become
empowered due to this act and became fearless to come in open against the alcoholism. This Act has helped in
organizing the women and fight against evils for a common good. Women’s empowerment is the need of the
day
Milk production
As a secondary occupation, milk production was
promoted in Ralegan. Purchase of new cattle and
improvement of the existing breed with the help of
artificial insemination and timely guidance and assistance
by the veterinary doctor has resulted in an improvement
in the cattle stock. The milk production has also
increased. Crossbred cows are replacing the local ones
which give a low milk yield. The number of milk cattle
has also been growing. Which resulted in growth of one
hundred liters (before 1975) to Around 2500 litres per day which is sent to a co-operative dairy (Malganga
Dairy) in Ahmednagar. Some milk is also given to Balwadi (school in Ralegan Siddhi) children & neighbouring
village under the child nutrition program sponsored by the Zilla Parishad.

From the surplus generated, the milk society bought a mini-truck and a thresher. The mini-truck besides
transporting milk to Ahmednagar is also used for taking vegetables and other produce directly to the market,
thus eliminating intermediate agents. The thresher is rented out to the farmers during the harvesting season.
Today Ralegan Siddhi earn nearly one crore per annum on dairy.

Education
In the year 1932 Ralegan Siddhi got its first formal school, a single class room primary school. In the year 1962,
the villagers via community volunteer effort added more classrooms. By the year 1971 out of estimated
population of 1209 only 30.43% were literate (72 women and 290 men). Boys moved to nearby towns of Shirur
and Parner to pursue higher education. But due to socio-economic conditions girls couldn't do the same and
were limited to primary education. Anna Hazare along with the youth of Ralegan siddhi worked to increase
literacy rates and education levels. In year 1976 they started pre school to the primary school and a high school
in 1979. The villagers started taking active interest in the village school and formed Sant Yadav Baba Shikshan
Prasarak Mandal(trust) which was registered in 1979. The trust decide to take over the function of the village
school which was in bad state due to government neglect and also lack of interest on behalf of teachers who
were moonlighting.The trust got a government grant to the amount of 4 lakhs was got for the school building
using NREP. A new school building was built in next 2 months with volunteer efforts and the money got via
grant. A new hostel was also constructed to house 200 students from weaker sections of the society. After
opening of the school in the village, a girl student from Ralegan Siddhi completed her S.S.C in 1982 for the first
time. Since then the school has been instrumental in bringing in lots of changes to the village.

Removal of untouchability
The social barriers that existed due to the caste system have been broken
down by Ralegan Siddhi villagers and people of all castes come together to
celebrate social events. The people of Ralegan have largely succeeded in
eradicating social discrimination on the basis of caste. The dalits have been
integrated into the social and economic life of the village. The villagers
have built houses for the Harijanas and helped to repay their loans to free
them from their indebtedness.
Collective marriages
Most rural poor get into a debt-trap as they have to incur heavy expenses at the time of marriage of their son or
daughter. It is an undesirable practice but has almost become a social obligation. Ralegan's people have started
celebrating marriages collectively. The feast is held together where the expenses are further reduced by the
Tarun Mandal taking the responsibility of cooking and serving the food. The vessels, the Loud-speaker system,
the mandap and the decorations have also been bought by the Tarun Mandal members belonging to the
oppressed castes. From 1976 to 1986, four hundred and twenty four marriages have been held under this
system.

Gram Sabha
The Gram Sabha is an important forum for collective
decision making in the villages. If villagers are involved in
planning and decision making process, they are more open to
any changes taking place in the village. In Ralegan Siddhi,
the Gram Sabha meetings are held periodically to discuss
issues relating to the welfare of village. Projects like
Watershed development activities are undertaken only
after they are discussed in the Gram Sabha. All decision
like Nasbandi, Nasabandi, Kurhad Bandi, Charai bandi,
Shramdan were taken in the Gram Sabha. Decisions are taken in a simple majority consensus. In case of
difference of opinion the majority consensus becomes acceptable. The decision of the Gram Sabha is accepted
as final.

In addition to panchayat, there are several registered societies that take care of various projects and activities of
the village. Each society presents its annual report and statement of accounts in the Gram Sabha every year. The
Sant Yadavbaba Shikshan Prasarak Mandali monitors the educational activities. The Vivid karyakari society
gives assistance and provides guidance to farmers regarding fertilizers, seeds, organic farming, financial
assistance, etc. Sri Sant Yadavbaba Doodh Utpadhak Sahakari sansta gives guidance regarding the dairy
business. Seven Co-operative irrigation society provides water to the farmers from cooperative wells. Mahila
Sarvage Utkarsh Mandal attends welfare needs of the women.

Village birthday
In order to foster a sense of unity in the village, the Ralegan Siddhi family celebrates a village annual birthday
on 2 October of every year. On that day: The eldest male villager is honoured as father of the village. The eldest
female villager is honoured as the mother of the village. New clothes are stitched for every infant born in the
village during the past year, irrespective of the child's caste or religion. New brides who have come to the
village during the past year are welcomed with the traditional offering of coconut, as they are the daughters-in-
law of the village. Students who have been successful in education are honoured. Youth from the village who
have achieved something special are honoured. All villagers gather in the evening during this occasion and have
dinner together to celebrate the event.
  Watershed Development
In the years 1972-73 there was wide spread
severe draught in whole of Maharashtra. In order to provide
employment to the rural population in this situation
Government of Maharashtra decided to undertake soil
conservation work in rural areas which required lot of
labour. Agriculture and Irrigation Departments of the
Government were appointed as nodal agencies to execute
the programme and they undertook the work of

construction of percolation tanks, nalla bunding and contour

bunding in Ralegan Siddhi. While the work was executed in
Ralegan Siddhi due to apathy of the Government agencies the percolation tank constructed at Ralegan was not
constructed taking due care and was leaking and thus its purpose was defeated. After his retirement from Army
in l975 he returned to Ralegan Siddhi and was very much disturbed due to condition prevailing there and started
discussing with the villagers their problems. He observed that the water problem -both for drinking and
irrigation - was acute and felt that something should be done to overcome this problem. At that time he came to
know of one Mr. Vilasrao Salunkhe who was doing soil and water conservation work at Saswad. He visited the
work place of Mr. Salunkhe and felt that if similar activity is undertaken at Ralegan Siddhi, the water scarcity
problem at Ralegan could be solved. He, therefore, organized villagers meeting (Gram Sabha) to explain to
them the work of Mr. Salunkhe and its adoption in Ralegan Siddhi. All the villegers were impressed by this idea
and decided to start similar programme in Ralegan Siddhi. Initially they decided to repair the existing
percolation tank which was heavily leaking. The cause of seepage of water was ascetained and work of
providing core wall by digging puddle trench upto the level of hard rock was undertaken on upper side of the
bund through voluntary labour of villagers. Satisfactory Completion of the work resulted in retention of water in
the tank resulting in recharging of ground water aquifers .This enthused the villagers and they decided to
implement the concept of water shed development, i.e. ridge to valley approach for soil and water conservation
which was hitherto not followed by the Department of Agriculture. Implementation of watershed programme
involved lot of expenditure and Mr. Hazare approached the then Director of Soil Conservation and requested his
help. He had assured the Director that he and his collegues from village will actively participate in
implementation of watershed development programme and will provide labour voluntarily.
The ridge to valley programme involved structures
like gully plugging,loose boulder structure, gabian structure,
nalla bunding, cement check dams etc. The cost involved in
constructing cement check dams was prohibitive and hence
Shri Hazare developed modified gabian structure with a core
wall which reduced the cost considerably and was as effective
as cement check dam. This novel approach is being followed
elsewhere also. Similarly on the ridge line where the CCT was
not possible, shallow soak pits were dug in order to collect rain
water so that through seepage the water would be available to surrounding plantation. This resulted in increase
in plant survival and their vigorous growth. This was also a novelty of Ralegan Siddhi programme. Due to
availability of water for irrigation through wells and realising the importance of water the villagers decided to
form cooperative societies well-wise. This resulted in bringing more land under cultivation and developments
like double cropping, change of farming system, horticulture plantations, vegetable cultivation, dairy farming
etc. could take place. It will not be out of place if it is mentioned that from Ralegan Siddhi for some period
onions and vegetables were exported to Gulf countries.
All this resulted in substantial increase in per capita income of the farmers. and the villagers through
their cooperative efforts created facilities like school, hostel., gymnasiums, credit societies renovation of temple
etc. in the village .The residents of Ralegan Siddhi are still enjoying the benefits of watershed programme
though more than 30 years have passed since completion of programme..

 Anti corruption movement

Model Village as contemplated by Gandhiji was

brought in reality by Shri Annaji at Ralegan Siddhi by his
dedication. “Late Shri Achyutrao Patwardhan, the great
freedom fighter, suggested to the government of
Maharashtra that to commemorate the golden jubilee of
Bharat Chhodo Andolan, it would be most befitting to
create model villages like Ralegan Siddhi in every tehsil of
the state. The government accepted this suggestion and
declared to implement “Adarsh Gaon Yojana”. The
Government entrusted this responsibility to him and Adarsha Gaon Yojana was started under his leadership . He
travelled whole of Maharashtra and selected 300 villages to implement this scheme. While working in this
scheme he realised that development is getting hampered due to planned corruption in Govermnent machinery
and he decided to fight against this corruption. He gave evidence against two ministers who had amassed wealth
disproportionate to their income.
However since the Govt was passive about this he started agitation and undertook fast for l0 days. Chief
Minister intervened and he deleted these two ministers from ministry and appointed an Inquiry Commission.
The Commission held both the ministers guilty but to save them the Govt appointed another commission who
discharged them from the allegations. Though the ministers were discharged from the allegations, they had to
loose their ministership which is the success of Mr.Hazare's agitation. Mr.Hazare's gave evidence of corruption
by Social Welfare Minister to the then Chief Minister. On 3lst July l999 the Chief Minister informed him that
inquiry is being instituted about the charges leveled by him. He had given an interview to a local daily regarding
this inquiry and based on this interview the concerned minister had filed a case in the court against Mr.Hazare
for defamation. He was held guilty by the Court and the court had asked him to give an undertaking that he will
not make such allegations in future.He refused to give such undertaking and preferred to go jail for 3 months as
ordered by the court. He told the court that He was willing to give his life for truth. His punishment created
commotion in public and scores of people started visiting Yerawada Jail. He wanted to compelte his jail term
but to give respect to the public feelings he accepted his
release.In l992 Gandhji had told the court that if court
feels that his actions for the freedom of the country are
considered as anti government activities he was willing to
undergo any punishment .Similarly he did not give bond to
the court and
accpeted
punishment. He
did not prefer
any appeal
against the
court order
immediately but due to public pressure he later made an appeal which was upheld by the Higher Court and
rejected the suit of minister.Mr. Hazare asked the Govt. to conduct the inquiry against the minister which is still
on. In the regim of coaliation Government of Congress and National Congress Party, He had forwarded
evidence of corruption about 4 ministers and had asked the Government to conduct inquiry. One of the
ministers had made allegations about corruption in the institutions in which he was associated. Since there was
no action from the Govt. he undertook fast for 9 dys in August 2003 at Azad Maidan. The minister concenred
also started agitation at Azaj Maidan in Mumbai. At last the Government relented and Retired Suprement Court
Judge Shri P.B. Sawant was appointed to conduct the inquiry. The commission conducted the inquiry and sent
its report to Govt. on 22nd Februrary. In the report the commission had observed ministers guilty and had held
Mr.Hazare also guilty forirregularities but not a single charge of corruption was proved against him.Mr. Hazare
has offered the Government that it should take action against him as well as the ministers based on the findings
of the enquiry comissions.Though Govt has not taken any action on the Commission's report three ministers had
to go and this is a big achievement of his agitation against corruption. He felt that corruption will not stop
merely by taking action against a few officers and ministers and it is necessary that a change should be brought
about in the system, He believes that unless decentralisation of power takes place the system will not change.In
order to bring change in the system he felt that information should be made available to people regarding
Govt.'s actions which was not being provided to people on the ground of secracy. Here again he decided to
follow Gandhiji's path and started Maun Vrat and later fast unto death. This brought pressure on the Govt. and
both the Central as well as State Governments have enacted Right to Information Act. His whole life and work
is based on Gandhian philosophy.

 Right to Information(RTI)
The President of India appoints Civil Servants in
Indian Administrative Services (IAS), Indian Police Services
(IPS) and Indian Forest Services (IFS). The People’s
Representatives and the Civil Servants are ultimately the public
servants. They have to serve the citizens. But, the picture is
altogether different today. The People’s Representatives and the
Civil Servants have become masters of the country and made the
citizens poor servants. In
the Maharashtra State, a campaign was started demanding for the Right
to Information. As Peoples Representatives and Civil Servants are
public servants and the citizens of Maharashtra are owners of the
public money, the citizens have the right to ask the public servants how
and in what manner they spend the public money. He pressed for
legislating an Act for Right to Information. The first campaign was
organized at the Azad Maidan, Mumbai, in 1997. The State
Government was giving only promises, but it failed to crystallize it in
many sessions of the Vidhan Sabha. He had to make agitations, dharnas, morchas, maun and fasts many times.
State-wide tours were held for awareness generation among people. Public addresses were organized in many
towns and programmes were arranged specially for college students. Posters, banners and folders were printed
and distributed in thousands. All this resulted in the awakening of the citizens and making them aware of their
fundamental Right to Information.The Government made many promises, but it failed to keep one. Any
government never wants to decentralize its power and hand over power to people. Many politicians think that
decentralization of power will lessen their importance, status and respect. So the Government was reluctant to
make legislation for Right to Information. Finally, with zeal of ‘do-or-die’, Mr. Hazare went on fast-unto-death
on August 9, 2003 at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. He decided that unless the Act is passed by the Government, he
will not end his fast.
The Government of Maharashtra felt that his resolution is firm and He would not step back from his
decision of ‘do-or-die’. On the 12th day of his fast, the Government of Maharashtra got the Bill signed by the
President of India and enacted the law of ‘Right to Information’ in Maharashtra. The Act on ‘Right to
Information’ is a revolutionary step towards strengthening democracy. This Act has enabled the common man
to seek information. Till to-date, the people have to obey the laws; whereas the government machinery
controlled everything. But by the advent of this Act, the Government Agencies have to obey the law and the
people have got controlling power. This Act should have come into force on 26th February 1950 itself; the day
India celebrated its first Republic Day. This would have brought transparency and accountability in every
transaction of the government and would have checked corruption to a great extent. The erstwhile British rulers
had prohibited people from getting any information by creating the Official Secrets Act. The following Indi
Under the guise of the Official secrets Act, information was denied to people. So he started the movement for
Right to Information. In freedom, every citizen has fundamental right to know how the public money is
spent.The question to the Government was "Why do you deny information which is not confidential" under the
guise of Official Secrets Act? Finally, the government had to make the Right to Information Act. an
governments maintained status quo by not amending the Act as it provided them space for corruption. The
British Act of Official Secrets was in force for almost 58 years after British left India. This Act gave the weapon
in the hands of corrupt politicians and officers to exploit the common man. Due to this Act, transparency has
come in in the administration. Now a common man can get information by just paying a nominal charge of Rs.
10 or 20. This has paved the way to good governance and healthy democracy. If this Act reaches every village
and every household, it has potential to check corruption to an extent of 80 – 85%. Due to corruption, only 10
percent could reach the real beneficiaries of the poverty alleviation programmes earlier. Rest of the money
percolated to the purses of corrupt officers and politicians. Now, due to the Act of Right to Information, the
poor villagers will get their due share in the development process. The quality of project works has started to
improve after the Act.

 Central Government stopped amendments in Right to

Information Act:
It is a positive step after 58 years of Independence to enact the Right
to Information Act. But as this Act has potential to check corruption to
a great extent, some politicians felt it as a hurdle in their corrupt
practices. Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh’s Government tabled
a Bill for amendments in the existing Act which were detrimental to
the very cause of the Act. Citizens had got these rights after 58 years
of Independence after a long struggle. The proposed amendments were
going to nullify these rights. To protest against the amendments, Mr.
Hazareundertook fast unto death at Alandi near Pune. Within two days
of commencing his fast, people in various parts of Maharashtra started agitation on their own in support of my
demand. People undertook ‘Rail-roko-andolan’ (train blockade) at nine places. Gradually, the agitation spread
to other parts of India. Even some Indians residing in the US went on fast in support of my agitation. Prime
Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh sent one of his Ministers as emissary to Alandi, as the agitation gathered
momentum in and outside the country, and promised that the existing Right to Information Act would not be
amended by the Central Government. He requested Mr. Hazare to end his fast and he gave it up on 9th day.
Fortunately, the Government gave up the idea of proposed amendments in the Right to Information Act.
  Act for Regulating Transfers:
As there was no clear-cut policy on transfers of the Government
Officers, the People’s Representatives and Senior Officers of the
government misused their power to transfer the government servants as
per their wish. In these transfers, usually money changes hands. Thus, a
transfer was a source of bribery. If an elected Representative wants his
relative or confident to be posted in a key position where an honest
Officer is already working, he would misuse his power to get the honest
man transferred to other place; thus creating vacancy to bring his man to
that position. This was injustice to the honest officer. To prevent this type of injustice, He started a movement
for legislation of an Act which would prevent transfer of any officer, at the will of his superiors or political
heavy weights, for a minimum period of three years. It was also ensured that no officer will continue at the
same place for more than three years. The local politicians like Members of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha,
Ministers in the Government and Senior Officers of the Government opposed legislation of this Act as it was
going to affect their vested interest. Due to this act, the honest officers got some relief and the corruption
involved in transfers has reduced to a large extent.

 list of Indian political scandals

2010 onwards

 2G spectrum scam
 Adarsh Housing Society scam
 Commonwealth Games Scandal

2000 - 2009

 Satyam scandal
 Ketan Parekh Scandal, Barak Missile Deal Scandal, Tehelka Scandal (2001)
 Taj corridor case (2002–2003)
 Telgi scandal (2003)
 Nitish Katara Murder Case (2004)
 Oil-for-food programme scam (Natwar Singh) (2005)
 Jessica Lal case (2006)
 Human Trafficking Scam involving Babubhai Katara
 Cash-for-votes scandal
 Madhu Koda, laundering money worth over Rs. 4000 crores
 Gegong Apang, public distribution scam[1]
1990 - 1999

 Bofors Scandal (1990)

 Animal Husbandry Case (1990)
 Bombay Stock Exchange Manipulation & Fraud by Harshad Mehta (1992)
 Hawala scandal (1993)
 Bangalore - Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (1995)
 Sukh Ram (1996)
 Fodder Scam in Bihar (1996)
 Kerala SNC Lavalin power scandal (1997)

1900 - 1990

 Telecom scam (Sukh Ram)

 HDW Submarine
 Bitumen scam
 Tansi land deal
 JMM Bribery Scandal
 St Kitts case
 Urea scam
 Anantnag transport subsidy scam
 1971 Nagarwala scandal
 Fodder scam
 1975: Declaration of Emergency
 Churhat lottery scam

 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement

The 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement constitutes of a series of protests for the Jan Lokpal
Bill (Citizen Ombudsman Bill) that sprang up across India especially after April 5, 2011. The protesters want
the Government of India to draft a strong anti-graft Lokpal bill which follows the originally drafted bill and not
the changes the government plans to bring in, which will make the Lokayukta just another advisory body with
no actual power in the vast Indian bureaucracy. Following continuous calls in vain to the government to work
effectively towards passing the bill, a renowned civil society activist and Gandhian, Anna Hazare, went on an
indefinite hunger strike unto death until his demands in support of the bill were met. Anna demanded for a joint
committee of civil society members and government representatives to draft a strong anti-graft bill.
The protests led to the creation of an unprecedented movement that saw protests being organised in various
cities and towns of India. Protests included fasts, candlelight vigils and rallies. The protests are especially one of
their kind in India as they have no political affiliation and the protesters have been very hostile to any political
party trying to grab the initiative to meet its own political goals from the activists. The protests to some extent
have similarities in methodologies to Jayaprakash Narayan's Bihar Movement (commonly called the JP
Movement) of 1974. There were also similarities to the methods and philosophies used in the 2011 Egyptian
revolution and the Tunisian revolution , that have rocked the very foundations of governments in the Arab
world.
 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement

Protesters take part in protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi

Date 13 March 2011-9 April 2011
Location India
With protests also being held in
various other countries by NRIs in
the USA, Australia, United
Kingdomand more.
Status Government agrees to create a
drafting committee constituting of
civil society activists to work on
theJan Lokpal bill and table it in
the Monsoon session of
the Parliament of India
Goals Drafting and passing of the Jan
Lokpal Bill in its purest form to
tackle ever-increasing corruption in
India
Characteristics Satyagraha, demonstrations, sit-ins,
fast-unto-death

Casualties

Death(s) None
Injuries at least 15 hospitalised due to
dehydration during fasting
 Anna Hazare Letter to
Prime Minister

Date: April 6, 2011

To,

Dr. Manmohan Singh,

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
New Delhi

Dear Dr. Singh,

I have started my indefinite fast at Jantar mantar. I had invited you also to fast and pray for a corruption free
India on 5th April. Though I did not receive any reply from you, I am hopeful that you must have done
that.

I am pained to read and hear about government’s reaction to my fast. I consider it my duty to clarify the
points raised on behalf of Congress party and the government by their spokespersons, as they appear in
media:
1. It is being alleged that I am being instigated by some people to sit on this fast. Dear Manmohan
Singh ji, this is an insult to my sense of wisdom and intelligence. I am not a kid that I could be
“instigated” into going on an indefinite fast. I am a fiercely independent person. I take advice from
many friends and critics, but do what my conscience directs me to do. It is my experience that when
cornered, governments resort to such malicious slandering. I am pained that the government, rather
than addressing the issue of corruption, is trying to allege conspiracies, when there are none.
2. It is being said that I have shown impatience. Dear Prime Minister, so far, every government has
shown complete insensitivity and lack of political commitment to tackling corruption. 62 years after
independence, we still do not have independent and effective anti‐corruption systems. Very weak
versions of Lokpal Bill were presented in Parliament eight times in last 42 years. Even these weak
versions were not passed by Parliament. This means, left to themselves, the politicians and
bureaucrats will never pass any law which subjects them to any kind of objective scrutiny. At a time,
when the country has witnessed scams of unprecedented scale, the impatience of the entire country is
justified. And we call upon you, not to look for precedents, but show courage to take unprecedented
steps.
3. It is being said that I have shown impatience when the government has “initiated” the process. I
would urge you to tell me – exactly what processes are underway?
a. You say that your Group of Ministers are drafting the anti‐corruption law. Many of the
members of this Group of Ministers have such a shady past that if effective anti‐
corruption systems had been in place, some of them would have been behind bars. Do
 you want us to have faith in a process in which some of the most corrupt people of this
country should draft the anti‐corruption law?
b. NAC sub‐committee has discussed Jan Lokpal Bill. But what does that actually mean?
Will the government accept the recommendations of NAC sub‐committee? So far, UPA II
has shown complete contempt for even the most innocuous issues raised by NAC.
c. I and many other friends from India Against Corruption movement wrote several letters to
you after 1st December. I also sent you a copy of Jan Lokpal Bill on 1st December. We did
not get any response. It is only when I wrote to you that I will sit on an indefinite fast,
we were promptly invited for discussions on 7th March. I wonder whether the government
responds only to threats of indefinite fast. Before that, representatives of India Against
Corruption had been meeting various Ministers seeking their support for the Jan Lokpal
Bill. They met Mr Moily also and personally handed over copy of Jan Lokpal to him. A
few hours before our meeting with you, we received a phone call from Mr Moily’s office
that the copy of Jan Lokpal Bill had been misplaced by his office and they wanted another
copy. This is the seriousness with which the government has dealt with Jan Lokpal Bill.
d. Dear Dr Manmohan Singh ji, if you were in my place, would you have any faith in the
aforesaid processes? Kindly let me know if there are any other processes underway. If you
still feel that I am impatient, I am happy that I am because the whole nation is feeling
impatient at the lack of credible efforts from your government against corruption.
4. What are we asking for? We are not saying that you should accept the Bill drafted by us. But
kindly create a credible platform for discussions – a joint committee with at least half members
from civil society suggested by us. Your spokespersons are misleading the nation when they say
that there is no precedent for setting up a joint committee. At least seven laws in Maharashtra
were drafted by similar joint committees and presented in Maharashtra Assembly. Maharashtra
RTI Act, one of the best laws of those times, was drafted by a joint committee. Even at the centre,
when 25,000 tribals came to Delhi two years ago, your government set up a joint committee on
land issues within 48 hours. You yourself are the Chairperson of that committee. This means that
the government is willing to set up joint committees on all other issues, but not on corruption.
Why?
5. It is being said that the government wants to talk to us and we are not talking to them. This is
utterly false. Tell me a single meeting when you called us and we did not come. We strongly
believe in dialogue and engagement. Kindly do not mislead the country by saying that we are
shunning dialogue.
We request you to take some credible steps at stemming corruption. Kindly stop finding faults and
suspecting conspiracies in our movement. There are none. Even if there were, it does not absolve you of
your responsibilities to stop corruption.
With warm regards,

(K B Hazare)
  Protest Timeline

13 March 2011
A group of Delhi residents dressed in white shirts and t-shirts took a four-hour drive around the city
to drum up campaign against corruption and rally support for the Jan Lokpal Bill.
28 March 2011
According to the organisers of the protests held globally on that day - "As many as 45 cities in USA,
40 cities in India and 8 other countries globally joined in an anti-corruption movement. Indians
across the globe, as far as from Nagpur to New Jersey and Sydney to Seattle shouted in one voice to
enact 'Jan Lokpal Bill' and ratify the UN Convention against Corruption." Many of the marchers
were planning to continue the movement by joining Anna Hazare's fast in Delhi on 5 April for the
same cause.
4 April 2011
Anna Hazare, the anti corruption activist leader announced his fast unto death till Jan Lokpal Bill is
enacted

5 April 2011

 Anna Hazare, initiated his fast unto death at Jantar Mantar in Delhi
 Around 6,000 Mumbai residents joined Anna Hazare for a one-day fast to support the
demand for implementation of the Jan Lokpal Bill.
 In Pune over 6,000 residents joined the campaign.
 The Freedom Park in Banglore was the cynosure of all eyes on Thursday as Bangaloreans
from all walks of life thronged the place to support Anna Hazare.

7 April 2011

 2 rounds of talks with the government failed.

 Anna Hazare continued on with his fast.
 Narendra Modi, the chief Minister of Gujarat lashes out at Manmohan Singh for resisting the
passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill
 Sonia Gandhi, the president of the Indian National Congress party and the head of
the National Advisory Council appealed to Anna Hazare to end his indefinite fast.

8 April 2011

 Protests spreaded to Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Patna, Bhopal,

Ahmedabad, Ranchi, Pune, Nashik and Kochi.
 Protests were organised at Jammu
University in Jammu, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati and Jaipur too.
 The government continued to squabble with the activists stating that the bill drafting
committee will be headed by a government appointed minister and not a civil society member as
the protesters demanded to avoid allowing the government to make the bill less powerful.
 The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh met with the President of India to outline to her
how the government was going ahead with the demands of the population.
 15 supporters of Anna Hazare on fast were hospitalized.
 Bollywood came out completely in support of the protests - with famed actors, musicians and
directors speaking in support of the movement andAnna Hazare. Director Farah Khan,
actor Anupam Kher, music director Vishal Dadlani, poet-filmmaker Pritish Nandy and actor Tom
Alter all visited Jantar Mantar. Meanwhile famed Indian actors Aamir Khan, Hrithik
Roshan and Amitabh Bachchan all stated their support for the movement via social networking
websites or the media. Oscar winning Indian composer A. R. Rahman also declared his support
for the anti-graft movement. Kareena Kapoor, Shabana Azmi,Shekhar Kapur, Sushmita
 Sen, Bipasha Basu, Shahid Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, Neha Dhupia,Jackky
Bhagnani, Shirish Kunder, Kailash Kher, Punit Malhotra all tweeted their support for Anna
Hazare further feulling the masses to join the movement.
 Famed Qatari artist M. F. Hussain showed his support by drawing a cartoon of Anna Hazare.
 Indian students at Cambridge University, the former alma-mater of the Indian prime minister
also addressed their support for the movement.
 Many prominent people from the government agencies as well as from various corporate
houses came out in support of the movement. Some of them were - Delhi Metro chief E.
Sreedharan[23] (also called the Metro Man of India), Punj Lloyd chairman Atul Punj, Maruti
Suzuki chairman RC Bhargava,Hero group's Sunil Munjal, Tata Steel vice-chairman B
Muthuraman, Bajaj Auto Chairman Rahul Bajaj, Godrej Group head Adi
Godrej, BioconChairman and Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Kotak Mahindra
Bank vice-chairman & managing director Uday Kotak. They all declared their support for Anna
Hazare and the movement.
 ASSOCHAM President Dilip Modi and FICCI Director General Rajiv Kumar, both came out
in support of the movement too.
 The Government of India accepted the compromise formula that there be a politician
chairman and an activist, non-politician Co-Chairman. It was reported that Pranab
Mukherjee will be the Chairman of the draft committee while Shanti Bhushan will be the co-
chairman. Shanti Bhushan was one of the original drafters of the Lokpal Bill along with Anna
Hazare, Justice N. Santosh Hegde, advocate Prashant Bhushan, and RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal.

9 April 2011

 After accepting all the demands of Anna Hazare, the Government of India issued a Official
Gazette saying that the draft of lokpal would be made and presented in the coming monsoon
session of Lok Sabha.
 Victory celebrations were held all over India from Jantar Mantar - the center of the protests to
Hyderabad, Jammu, Mumbai, Nagpur, Chennai, Kolkatta, Allahabad[28] and even Anna Hazare's
village.
 Bollywood lauded the victory of Anna Hazare, once again echoing their support for the
movement and the support of the Indian citizenry
 Anti-Corruption protestors at India Gate booed and drove away controversial
journalist Barkha Dutt.
 Protesters and leaders of the movement alike stated that the path to attaining complete
passing of the bill is still a difficult one, and the movement has to see more harsher days ahead.
 The movement has become a symbol of civil society's power in India. After being widely
televised by the Indian media, and widely supported by almost every Indian citizen (as the issue
of corruption has been an issue every Indian holds very negative views about), the movement has
attained a certain level of credibility in the eyes of the Indian masses. Its uniqueness in the fact
that it was completely apolitical; was a movement solely of the people; did not wish to put in
disarray the country as in the case of total shutdowns organised by politcal parties (Commonly
called a Bandh) ; and was able to bend the government - is something new for India.[35] Many
commentators have called the movement the 'wake-up' call for India. Meanwhile social
networking chatter has been filled with fears that Indians will once again go back to 'sleep' with
time.
Drafting Committee of the Bill
The 10 member Drafting Committee of the Jan Lokpal Bill will have an equal representation of both
politicians and civil society members.On 8 April 2011, the Ministry of Law and Justice issued an official
notification, The Gazette of India, regarding the Joint Drafting Committee of the bill. A copy of the
notification can be found here

Chairmen
The Government of India accepted that there be a politician Chairman and an activist, non-politician Co-
Chairman. It is reported that Pranab Mukherjee, from the political arena, and Shanti Bhushan, from the
civil society, will be the Chairmen of the Drafting Committee.

Government representation
Five Cabinet ministers will be a part of the Drafting Committee. They are:

1. Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister of India

2. P. Chidambaram, Minister of Home Affairs, Panel Member
3. Veerappa Moily, Minister of Law and Justice, Panel Member
4. Kapil Sibal, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Panel
Member
5. Salman Khursid, Minister of Water Resources, Panel Member
Civil society representation
Five leading socialists will be a part of the Drafting Committee. They are:

1. Shanti Bhushan, Former Minister of Law and Justice, Co-Chairman

2. Anna Hazare, Social Activist, Panel Member
3. Prashant Bhushan, Lawyer, Panel Member
4. N. Santosh Hegde, Lokayukta (Karnataka), Panel Member
5. Arvind Kejriwal, RTI activist, Panel Member

Allegations against panel members

Adding a new chapter in Lokpal Bill issue, the candidature of Shanti Bhushan, veteran lawyer, former
union law minister and co-chairman of the new committee formed as a result of Anna Hazare’s recent
hunger strike to draft a law on corruption, has come under scanner after a new CD controversy.Shanti
Bhushan said that “it certainly appears to be a motivated, mallicious campaign to derail the draft of the
Lokpal bill.”. Some pro-corruption supporters or those who would benefit from the status quo are
drumming up support against this anti corruption movement by using the usual old tactics of attempting to
cast doubt on Anna Hazare, the committee members, the who movement and how it was handled in the
media and the press etc.

First Lokpal Bill draft meeting

First Lokpal Bill draft meeting was held on 16 April 2011, Eight days after Gandhian Anna Hazare called
off his fast demanding a stronger Lokpal law. The government has agreed to audio-recording of all
meetings of the Lokpal Bill panel and to holding public consultations before a final draft of the anti-graft
law is prepared. Next meeting will be held on 2 May 2011. Anna Hazare insisted to telecast the live
proceedings video, but government denied stating certain "drawbacks" of doing so and so the first meeting
was held recording the audio for future references.
Key features of proposed bill
1. To establish a central government anti-corruption institution called Lokpal, supported
by Lokayukta at the state level.
2. As in the case of the Supreme Court and Cabinet Secretariat, the Lokpal will be supervised by
the Cabinet Secretary and the Election Commission. As a result, it will be completely independent
of the government and free from ministerial influence in its investigations.
3. Members will be appointed by judges, Indian Administrative Service officers with a clean
record, private citizens and constitutional authorities through a transparent and participatory process.
4. A selection committee will invite shortlisted candidates for interviews, videorecordings of
which will thereafter be made public.
5. Every month on its website, the Lokayukta will publish a list of cases dealt with, brief details
of each, their outcome and any action taken or proposed. It will also publish lists of all cases
received by the Lokayukta during the previous month, cases dealt with and those which are pending.
6. Investigations of each case must be completed in one year. Any resulting trials should be
concluded in the following year, giving a total maximum process time of two years.
7. Losses caused to the government by a corrupt individual will be recovered at the time of
conviction.
8. Government officework required by a citizen that is not completed within a prescribed time
period will result in Lokpal imposing financial penalties on those responsible, which will then be
given as compensation to the complainant.
9. Complaints against any officer of Lokpal will be investigated and completed within a month
and, if found to be substantive, will result in the officer being dismissed within two months.
10. The existing anti-corruption agencies (CVC, departmental vigilance and the anti-corruption
branch of the CBI) will be merged into Lokpal which will have complete power and authority to
independently investigate and prosecute any officer, judge or politician.
11. Whistleblowers who alert the agency to potential corruption cases will also be provided with
protection by it.
  Difference between the proposals

Difference between Draft Lokpal Bill 2010 and Jan Lokpal Bill

Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's

Draft Lokpal Bill (2010)
Ombudsman Bill)

Lokpal will have no power to initiate immidiate action or receive Lokpal will have powers to
complaints of corruption from the general public. It can only probe initiate immediate action or receive
complaints forwarded by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the complaints of corruption from the
Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. general public.

Lokpal will be much more than an

Lokpal will only be an Advisory Body with a role limited to Advisory Body and have the power to
forwarding reports to a "Competent Authority". initiate prosecution of anyone found
guilty.

Lokpal will have no police powers and no ability to register Lokpal will have police powers as well
an FIR or proceed with criminal investigations. as the ability to register FIRs.

Lokpal and the anti corruption wing of

The CBI and Lokpal will be unconnected.
the CBI will be one independent body.

Punishments will be a minimum of 5

Punishment for corruption will be a minimum of 6 months and a
years and a maximum of up to life
maximum of up-to 7 years.
imprisonment.
  Present
Today Anna has almost acquired the stature of a saint. He donated his land for the hostel building. He gives
his pension money to the village fund. A confirmed bachelor, he lives in the village temple with a bare
minimum of personal belongings. He eats simple food normally cooked for the hostel boys. Both his parents
and brothers stay in the village but they are no different from him than any other family in the village. This
moral authority growing out of his selfless life has made him an unquestioned leader of the village.

Anna's moral code of conduct is also quite strict. Anna believes that punishment is an essential component
of the process to bring about conformity to social morality. When a child stole a fruit from a tree on the
common lands, he was tied to a pole and the fruits were kept before him to teach him a moral lesson. The
fruit bearing trees are not protected by any watchman. Not a single fruit is stolen and ripe fruits are
distributed to Balwadi children and the school children. Public beating was used not to create terror but to
bring public shame on the defaulter so that he/she exercises more self-control. People are proud of Ralegan
achievements and they have a share and a stake in its glory. Therefore they would not do anything which
will hurt Anna or bring a bad name to the village.

Awards
• PRIY DARSHINI VRIKSHA MITRA AWARD, by government of India on November 19, 1986
from the hands of Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi.
• MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD 1988
• PADMABHUSHAN AWARD -Presented by R. Venkatraman ( president of India) on 6th April
1992 at Delhi for Anna Hazare's social work
• VIVEKANANDA SEVA PURASKAR 1994
• NATIONAL INTERGRATION AWARD
• KRUSHI BHUSAHAN GOVT. OF MAHARASHTRA
• MAHAVEER PURASKAR 1997- presented by Bhagwan Mahaveer Foundation , Chennai on 2th
April 1997 for Anna Hazare’s excellent in sphere of social & community service
• BASAVSHRI PRASHASTI 2000 AWARD- Presented by Shri.Jagadguru Murugharajendra
Brihan Math at S.J.M.Math, Chitradurga , Karnataka on 4th June 2000 for Anna Hazare’s relentless
effort to bring in the value of based way of life in the society.
• PADMASHRI AWARD- Presented by R. Venkatraman ( President of India) on 24th march 1990 at
Delhi for Anna Hazare's social work.
 Anna Hazare says, philosophy
o Over every huge tree that we see over ground, there always is a seed that had submerged itself into
the darkness of the soil.
o Ban on consumption and sale of alcohol lays the foundation of rural development.
o It is impossible to change the village without transforming the individual. Similarly it is impossible
to transform the country without changing its villages.
o If villages are to develop, politics have to be kept out.
o Education without spirituality cannot help development.
o Money alone does not bring development, but it certainly corrupts.
o In the process of rural development, social and economic development should go hand in hand.
o The work of social transformation is neither easy nor impossible.
o The ultimate goal of all politics and social work should be the upliftment of society and of the nation.
o Educational institutions are not enough to make good citizens, every home should become an
educational center
o Indulgence causes disease whereas sacrifice leads to accomplishment.
o One should not accept anything free; accepting charity makes one lazy and dependent.
o When the person learns to see beyond his self-interest, he begins to get mental peace.
o One who performs all worldly functions and still remains detached from worldly things is a true
saint.
o It is experience that gives the direction but it is youth that gives the drive to every plan.