Half the battle won

FACT: Anna Hazare received the news that his three conditions have been unanimously accepted by Parliament.
At his protest camp at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, thousands gathered to celebrate the 74-year-old and his role in helping India take a huge step forward towards a historic new anti-corruption law.
Anna will end his fast at 10 am. Now on Day 12, of his hunger strike he has lost 7.5 kgs; his doctors say they are seriously worried about his health.
“We have won half the battle,” said Anna, thanking the thousands of workers and supporters who helped elevate his movement to the top of the country’s agenda. “It is your victory,” he said. “I will end my fast with you at 10 am” he said to huge applause. “Celebrate what we have won, but please be peaceful,” he urged.
In the morning today, as Parliament initiated a discussion on his three demands on Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare on Saturday trained his guns at MPs, saying that people should not elect “useless” lawmakers next time. “Today, there are 150 MPs who are facing criminal charges. We have some expectations from them. They did not live up to it. In the coming elections, we are not going to elect them. Next time, do not elect them as they are not performing according to the rules laid out by Constitution.
“I will tour across the country and appeal to the people not to elect useless Parliamentarians,” Mr. Hazare said, adding that people’s power is stronger than that of the lawmakers. In his first speech, he said, “I am not doing this for my personal gain. If it was so, I would not have lasted five days. Till the Jan Lokpal Bill is passed, my protest will continue.” He said he was getting energy from those who are coming out in support of the cause and this energy will help him sustain another three—four more days. “Till Jan Lokpal Bill is passed, I won’t die,” he said.
 “I am surprised that a ‘fakir’ is getting this support. It is not me who is doing all this. God has pointed fingers at me. He has chosen me to do the work. It is he who is doing all this. I am praised for what I am doing. A ‘fakir’ should not be praised so much,” he said.
OWL WATCH: This is not to ask the Team Anna whether they have won or not. This is not to ask them whether corruption will be uprooted or not. This is also not to ask Anna whether 60-65% corruption will be wiped out or not. This is not to ask Anna whether this is half win or no win. This is to ask the government whether they will get a lesson from it or not.
The way of agitation was dramatic where media played like a fourth pillar of democracy. All political parties just kept themselves in audience gallery for a keen watch of the agitation. The Congress, of the UPA-II alliance of India, faced the anger of the people. BJP advanced their political position and civil society advanced a lot to the law making and breaking stage.
Political awareness of the people now stuck only to lokpal bill. An antidote for checking corruption came in light as lokpal bill. Corruption can be checked or cannot be checked. No other way of thinking in this issue. But the awareness of a certain section of people developed instantly because everybody is somehow infected with corruption.
Corruption cannot be stopped with a newer bill. People are not like Anna Hazare. Anna Hazare cannot make people like him too. Corruption cannot be checked by imposing any newer laws, it only can be checked if peoples resistance develops. Team Anna got a good task now.