
Source: Associated Press
In India, Anna Hazare has sparked a movement. The 74 year old who the NY Times noted evokes a Gandhian simplicity, “has emerged as the unlikely face of an impassioned people’s movement in India, a public outpouring that has coalesced around fighting corruption but has also tapped into deeper anxieties in a society buffeted by change.” This past Tuesday, Hazare was arrested while he was on his way to a New Delhi park to begin a hunger strike to protest corruption in the country. The arrest drove hundreds of people to the streets, and though government officials moved to release him hours later, Hazare refused to leave until they agreed to release him unconditionally.
The Times quoted one rally attendee, who said, “It is the middle class who is worst affected by corruption. The upper class is not affected. The upper classes can get what they need by paying money.”
Hazare’s hunger strike hasn’t just inspired Indians, though. According to news agencies on Thursday, a Pakistani activist has decided to launch his own hunger strike against corruption in Pakistan. However, since the whole country is in fact hungry (*cough* fasting *cough*), Jahangir Akhtar has stated he will wait until the end of Ramazan to launch this protest. Good thinking, Akhtar. The political activist also emphasized that he wasn’t “inspired” by his Indian counterpart. Oh no. He decided to launch the strike first. Hazare just stole the spotlight. Akhtar told media outlets, “I announced my hunger strike before Anna Hazare, but due to Ramazan I postponed it, because our custom in Pakistan is that I cannot take water during Ramazan.” Ok.
I do not mean to be facetious. I actually admire people who use hunger strikes for the greater good. When I am hungry, I turn into a terrible, mean person. In fact, Hungry Kalsoom would actually scare any government official into throwing scraps of food in my direction, fearful of the monster that was unleashed. But as I read news of Akhtar taking up the hunger-strike-against-corruption banner Thursday, I question whether such a cause would resonate in Pakistan, at least to the extent that we saw with Hazare in India. Tom Wright noted in the Wall Street Journal,
Many Pakistanis, like their Indian neighbors, are tired of financial malfeasance from their politicians, armed forces and others. Yet civil society is much weaker over the border, and street protests other than those organized by Islamist parties are relatively rare. Mr. Akhtar’s quixotic campaign for now appears unlikely to garner much support.
While I disagree that civil society is necessarily weaker, (you have to spend a day in the same room with some of Pakistan’s most vibrant female activists to get my drift), I do think that issues in Pakistan are much deeper and bigger than corruption, at least for right now. Fatigue has seeped into the very fabric of our society. It’s not a question of Pakistanis protesting, but what they should be protesting first.
Via Twitter, a really interesting conversation developed on this very topic. @umairjav (who blogs at Recycled Thought) noted, “I still hold that it’s NOT as big an issue as the media makes it out to be…The world is full of examples of countries that experienced high rates of economic growth despite rampant corruption.” @FiveRupees (who blogs at…Five Rupees) further emphasized, “Overblown issue IMO[in my opinion]. Much bigger issues out there…When people look at “Asian tigers” (Korea, Taiwan, SE Asia etc) — they all went from poor to rich despite corruption.” @vijaygk made an important point when he tweeted, “Major difference is that hunger strikes, reminiscent of Gandhi/Satyagraha are not respected/invoke no memories in Pakistan…” Finally, @laalshah, countered, “I saw data collected by a friend recently; [Pakistan’s] middle-class is as agitated as India’s by corruption issues…[the] corruption debate is basically disguised form of social inequality fears/concerns.”
The issue of perception is key here. Last year, Transparency International released their 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index, which measures the degree to which public sector corruption is perceived to exist in 178 countries around the world. Corruption, according to TI, is defined “as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain,” encompassing practices in both the public and private sectors. The CPI scores countries on a scale from 10 (very clean) to 0 (highly corrupt). On the 2010 index, India ranked 87 out of 178 surveyed countries (the higher the number, the more corrupt you are). Pakistan ranked 143rd.
Last year I wrote about the perceptions behind the Perceptions Index, noting: The interesting part of the index is that it quantifies perceived corruption rather than the tangible occurrence of corrupt practices. According to Transparency International, this is “because corruption – whether frequency or amount – is to a great extent a hidden activity that is difficult to measure.” The organization added in its report, “Measuring scandals, investigations or prosecutions, while offering ‘non-perception’ data, reflect less on the prevalence of corruption in a country and more on other factors, such as freedom of the press or the efficiency of the judicial system.”
Although the CPI doesn’t measure citizen perceptions of corruption, TI’s Robin Hodess noted there is a close correlation between public attitudes (measured by their Global Corruption Barometer) and the index. For the purpose of Pakistan, I went back to the most recent Pew poll released in July [it should be noted that this wasn’t some scientific comparison]. According to the poll, 74% of Pakistanis polled say corrupt political leaders “are a very big problem,” compared to 71% last year, 64% in 2007, and 58% in 2002.
This past year, I participated in a working group on Entrepreneurship in the “Islamic World” during the U.S.-Islamic World Forum. One attendee, a Tanzanian businessman, discussed how the issue of corruption – specifically petty corruption (low-level, small-scale practices), was so intrinsically part of these societies that organizations incorporate them into the realities of doing business – terming them “transaction costs.” This is obviously unfortunate, but that reality will not change until the attitudes associated with corruption are addressed. And there have been concerted attempts – the Punjab Model for Proactive Governance is a recent initiative by the Punjab Chief Minister’s Secretariat “to fight petty corruption, improve service delivery, and facilitate citizen engagement by proactively seeking through SMS and calls feedback of citizens who receive day-to-day government services.” Introducing accountability is key; but corruption is not just a low-level phenomenon. But as the aforementioned Twitter people noted, is corruption itself a hindrance to the progress of this society, or do we have much bigger issues to tackle first? And, as a result, will that be why we will not see a Hazare movement in Pakistan?
@vijaygk makes an important point there when he says,”Major difference is that hunger strikes, reminiscent of Gandhi/Satyagraha are not respected/invoke no memories in Pakistan…”
In every other channel in India keeps comparing Anna Hazare with the Mahatma, and compares this movement with the Freedom Movement. There is so much optimism now. Anna’s timing couldn’t have been better.
I had a discussion with my friends today at office about the pros and cons of Anna’s movement in today’s Democracy. Then, I realized the best this to have happened from Anna’s protest is the fact that we are actually having this debate. Earlier Democracy used to start and end with elections, not anymore.
I have drifted off.. @vijaygk makes an interesting point. Gandhi can easily be claimed by Pakistan and its citizens but they choose not to. The great man fasted to stop the riots in which Hindu mobs and Muslims mobs were going at each other’s throats. Gandhi offers more to the nation of Pakistan then Jinnah ever could. I have discussions with Pakistanis and they dont think twice in disowning what Einstein, Mandela and others called “the greatest man to walk the Earth in 20th century”.
Anoop-
Thanks for your comment. I actually find the Hazare movement so fascinating, and I think your point about its timing is really key. I also think the rally supporter’s quote in the post about this being a middle class movement is also really interesting – is this anti-corruption campaign really about the issue of corruption or is it gaining traction because of the social inequities that are apparent in Indian society? That may be why ppl in Pakistan are interested in the first place. What will be the result of an anti-corruption campaign of this sort in India?
Kalsoom,
The last time Anna went on a hunger strike this was a Urban movement. But, now the Middle class has entered into the fray, both in the Urban as well as the semi-Urban areas.
The rural areas are ill-organized to make an impact anyway. But, what matter is the perception of frustration in the ruling Government now.
If today the we went for polls Congress might actually become the single largest party. But, the perception is it could lose and that will make the Government act or take this seriously.
Regarding about your question if this is a Middle class movement if because of the inequalities, I’d have to say no. It is because of the perception of corruption and most importantly because of the growing aspirations of the Middle class. India’s Middle class want a better future, not for their Children, but even for themselves. They need things to improve tomorrow, not day after.
I see my managers,at work, taking leave to participate in the hunger strike. That, was shocking for me! Goes to show that the people really believe that they can change the system and are willing to participate if given a chance.
[…] Anna Hazare & the Anti-Corruption Movement […]
Oh my God. This hunger strike is not going to solve anything. Besides, how can Anna Hazare “steal” someone else’s idea of a hunger strike as this is the second time he is going on one, and the first time was in April. If Jahangir Akhtar is speaking the truth that Anna Hazare “stole” his idea, then why didn’t he go on a hunger strike from the time between March – August ?????
Maybe he did and no one paid any attention? Haha…I have no idea, I just thought it was hilarious that he needed to make the point that it was HIS idea first. In any case, we have to be realistic about what anti-corruption bills in Parliament (the end goal of Akhtar’s strike) will really accomplish in terms of attitudes towards corruption in the country – in all likelihood, not much.
I’m from Chandigarh, India I pray to God, The Almighty Allah, our India and our Pakistan enter an eternal peace pact one day….
Anna Hazare is at whole shifting power into the real hands which are hands of Public in a true democracy. If that happens the will of people will govern the actions of elected people and the will of people is that there should be peace with our brothers our neighbors.
God Bless Pakistan, God Bless India.
Anna Hazare did his first hunger strike in Maharashtra in earlier 2000 when that state government was forced by him to pass Right To Information act which later was used by Indian Central Government as a prototype for National Right to Information act (RTI). RTI gave power to general public to ask for the expenses that govt. offices/institutions have done out of public tax money.
Indian Govt. passed this law in 2005 but Govt. realized soon the power of this RTI law to close their ‘corruption shop’ and was going to amend it later in 2007. Our Anna Hazare again sat on a fast in until death in 2007 which forced our govt to revoke their decision of amending RTI. Many in India are saying that Fasts are no way to put your point in a democracy, but brothers our Govt.s don’t listen to any other mode of protest. Now Anna is on his 2nd fast in relation to Jan-Lokpal the first he did in april 2011 to Implement Jan-Lokpal law that will give power to prosecute effectively the people exposed by RTI who stashed away hard earned money of my poor countrymen especially when we had sent them to parliament to be as our servant and not as our emperor.
At least the topic of corruption is now being tackled… i’m glad its happening in India and hopefully we will have some sort of trickle over effect in Pakistan.
but with the KHI killings and bombs going off every so often, the corruption issue does get pushed to the back of the agenda a little, so hence it’s not up there as it is for the Indians who live in relative calm compared to Pakistan!
I pray to God, almighty Allah that our Pakistani brothers get to see a light of some peace someday be it by any means. You need to study a bit the problem areas in your motherland to make it clean.
It is unfortunate that so many people are dying in Pakistan everyday due to violence related incidents and our democratically elected officials have failed to deliver anything. I wonder if a hunger strike will have any effect on governance here.
For Pakistani friends the hunger strike may look as an empty weapon. Basically it is a potent weapon of violence as if Anna dies, the state may not be able to manage the violence it will unleash. This is what Gandhiji used to do. Normally in independent India thiere was none of Anna’s staure to ensure this blackmail of the state.
The out burst against Anna by Muslim cleric Shahi Imam Bhukhari of Delhi has put the All India Muslim women personal law board to support Anna while the old venerable Deoband stays neutral.
One old man (hero) is fighting we r all just giving comments come on young India let all join anna come on
This is a Real time win for all of us, as proud citizens of India. Who says our youth is weak. This peaceful and non violent protest showed how disciplined and ethical is our youth. This is a lesson for all the parties, where there’s always a loss of public property during the protests. The 12 day long protest with massive crowds has taught a good lesson. As Anna Hazare stated that this is not a complete victory. We still have a long way to go to achieve complete victory. The people of India is with you, Annaji. You have led us with the right leadership. I’m today proud to be an Indian.
this is one of the biggest phenomena in the recent human history.. the single window glass was not broken in such a massive protest of 1 billion population and people got their wishes.
Anna is definitely a phenomena and an amazing success. people doubted including me but he proved everyone wrong. i was so fed up of these politician and pseudo intellactuals that i thought our country had no future.
thanks for making many wrong by winning. yes, things may not change over night but if good people keep quiet then anarchy will continue because bad people always do bad things but good people always be practical.
what is the most beautiful this is he made politicians look so stupid and also all pseudo and jealous filled pseudo intellectuals like Arundati Roy and Mahesh Bhat.
after 65 years, there is a joy again in me and also proud to be an Indian again.
hurricane Irene is blasting the roof off but in my cozy apartment, i am reading about ym Anna.
anna hazare is saint ,saint will transform india
I believe that this movement can replicate in Pakistan if it has the support of our youth. I can think that the youth demographic is essential to the success of any movement. WAKE UP, YOUTH! http://youtu.be/hkk4ibAsOFo