Has Anna Hazare become an "icon of the desperation"?

Mumbai, Aug 18: Anna Hazare calls himself a Gandhian leader, who walks in the footsteps of the Father of the Nation. But if Tushar Gandhi, the great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi is to be believed, there is a vast difference between Hazare's and Bapu's fasting as a form of protest.

Hazare, is on a protest fast against the government, asking it to put forward and sanction the Jan Lokpal Bill drafted by his team members.

Tushar Gandhi was quoted as saying, "Hazare's fast is different because Bapu's fast was to reform an adversary into a friend, while Anna's fast is against an enemy. It is like a "me versus you" kind of thing."

Hazare has become an "icon of the desperation" being felt by the people in India, he said. However, there is an element of populism in the movement, he added.

He added, "What we are seeing since yesterday is concern of people about democratic rights. There is a sense of disconnect between the people and the Government... That is reflected in this whole movement."

Asked how would have the Father of the nation viewed Anna's protest fast, Tushar said, "Bapu would have never allowed the situation to reach this level. He would have become active when the disease (corruption) was at a nascent stage and not when it has reached alarming proportions."

And added, "However, one positive thing that has come out (of Hazare's agitation) is that non-violence is powerful. Not one glass pane has been broken by the protesters, not one stone hurled. That is a potent sign. It shows the power of non-violence."

OneIndia News