An Idea on Anti Corruption Movement in India

Corruption is a lack of integrity or a criminal offence committed by people or organisations in a position of power to obtain illicit funds or abuse power for personal gain. It is a struggle that a man or woman struggles with daily to uphold his or her fundamental human rights and other benefits as provided for in the Constitution. It may cover a wide range of activities, including bribery and fraud, including legal procedures. Political corruption occurs when an office-bearer or a public servant performs a legitimate service to his advantage. It is widespread in kleptocracies, oligarchies, narco-states, and mafia districts.

Corruption in India

Even though India’s ranking in the Global Corruption Index has improved, India is far from being a country free of corruption. Throughout the British Empire, India was rife with corruption. The Indian government and political parties are notorious for their corruption. Rather than getting involved in corrupt practices, they should seek to alleviate the problem of corruption. Anyone can get involved in politics in India and form a political party. Personal qualifications are not part of the eligibility criteria. Ministers who have no desired qualification and have little knowledge of India’s political system have been appointed. Some people have been convicted of criminal offences. There is a significant difference between Indian-style corruption and corruption in the developed world. Even in countries like the US, Japan, South Korea, and Israel, corruption is rampant, and many prime ministers and presidents have been forced to resign over corruption. However, unlike in India, ordinary people there do not have to deal with corruption in everyday life. In addition, there are sometimes competitors (in government offices and political parties) who promise to provide services in exchange for bribes.

Anti-Corruption Movement in India

The anti-corruption movement in India was a sequence of demonstrations, strikes, and protests across India that began in 2011 and aimed to establish a strong law and enforce a rampant political corruption system. The movement was primarily aimed at a non-violent society. It included marches, protests, acts of public disobedience, rallies, hunger strikes, and social media to communicate, organise, and raise awareness. The protests were non-partisan, and the majority of protesters were opposed to major parties’ efforts to use them to strengthen their power structures.

Protests and Events in Subsequent Months

Dandi March II in the United States was a 240-mile Indigenous Movement started against corruption in India. It started on March 12, 2011, and ended on March 26. It demanded the Lokpal Bill and black money back. The protest was also held in 40 cities in India, 45 cities in the USA, and eight other countries worldwide. 

Following this incident, Anna Hazare asked to form a joint government and civil society representatives committee to draft a solid anti-corruption law. However, India’s Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, turned down Hazare’s request. As a result, on April 5, 2011, Anna Ji began a hunger strike in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. It was part of India Against Corruption campaign. He stated that the fast would last until the law was passed. Hazare did not allow politicians to remain with him, and those who attempted to join him were expelled. Protests have spread to other Indian cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. Prominent people from sports, Bollywood and business had lent their support to Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption campaign. The government was at odds with activists, reiterating that the drafting committee is led by a minister appointed by the government rather than a member of civil society, as demonstrators wanted to prevent the government from undermining the bill and members.

In the same month, Baba Ramdev announced the formation of the Bharat Swabhiman Andolan, an anti-corruption movement. However, the movement gained traction only after major Union Ministers met with Ramdev in early June to consider his concerns. Ramdev supported Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement, and he led the second big protest in New Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on June 4 to raise awareness about the need for a law-abiding black repatriation law. He also demanded that tax-free money be declared a national treasure and that international banks’ money laundering is considered a crime against the government. This was also a part of India Against Corruption campaign. On June 5, police raided the Ramlila Maidan, detained Ramdev, and evacuated his supporters after using tear gas and tear gas canisters. Following his detention, on June 6, the Indian National Human Rights Commission requested that the Union Home Secretary, the Delhi City Police Commissioner, and the Delhi Secretary-General report the incident within two weeks. These human rights violations infuriated Anna Ji, who responded by going on another hunger strike. Protests were held in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jammu, Mumbai, Lucknow, and Nepal.

Conclusion

After failing to pressure the Indian government to pass the Lokpal Bill 2011, the Anna Party split. Anna Hazare and others did not want to get involved in mainstream politics when Arvind Kejriwal led India Against Corruption and later founded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on November 26, 2012. The party made its first appearance in the December 2013 parliamentary elections in Delhi. The AAP failed to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill in Delhi and resigned from the government after 49 days. The presidential decree was kept in power for a year. The Indian Parliament passed the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, a few days after the Delhi elections in December 2013.