It is no mean tragedy of India that the Congress culture of sycophancy of the ruling Nehru-Gandhi dynasty by its loyalists, and the intimidation of its opponents, that was inculcated during the rule of Mrs Indira Gandhi in the 1970s-pre-and post-Emergency, is very much alive and kicking at present, under the rule of her daughter-in-law Mrs Sonia Gandhi. We have witnessed numerous such instances over the years wherein even Mrs Indira Gandhi's own Principal Secratary Mr Haksar's in-laws-Pandit Bros., who had a well-known shop in the Connaught Place, were not spared during the Emergency. The purpose of raiding them was to give a signal to Mr Haksar who was known to be a critic of Sanjay Gandhi's wayward ways as Mrs Indira Gandhi's favourite son, at that point of time, to behave!
To cut the story short, we had the recent case of Baba Ramdev whose camp was raided by the police past midnight on June 4, 20ll, and his anti-corruption supporters who were sleeping, were forcibly thrown out on the streets, with lathis and tear gas. Ramdev's guilt was that he was leading an anti-corruption and anti-black money crusade against the govt., peacefully. The govt did not stop at that. All sorts of Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate investigations were ordered, accusing him and his Trust of amassing hundreds of crores in illegal manner! His pleas of innocence and having submitted all accounts and relevants documents to the concerned authorities, were ignored. The police also launched a witch-hunt against his closest associate Acharya Balkrishan for allegedly getting an Indian passport even though he was a "Nepali", and that too on "fake educational degrees". All these cases are in various stages of investigation and judicial scrutiny.
As in the case of Baba Ramdev who was initially offered a red carpet treatment by the UPA govt. which sent three senior Ministers to receive him at the airport, and then abusing and hounding him when he did not come around to dance to their tune, Anna Hazare Team witnessed a similar action replay. However, in Anna's case, after initial strong resistance, the govt capitulated when they realised that he had evoked an unprecedented massive nation-wide support from the youth and all classes of Indians, against the scourge of corruption; the govt agreed to his three minimum demands from his bill which were also endorsed by both Houses of the Parliament. The first phase of the anti-corruption campaign, thus, ended with Anna breaking his fast on August 28. After a few days stay in a hospital for recovery, Hazare was back to his village Ralegan Siddhi, to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with his people.
But, the troubles of his three associates-Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Prashant Bhushan are beginning, particularly, Kejriwal, Anna's closest supporter. Arvind was an Indian Revenue Service officer working in the Income Tax office. He voluntarily resigned in 2006 to engage himself in social work. For two years, until 2008, there was some correspondence between Kejriwal and his former office regarding some outstanding dues the office was claiming. For three years, until August 5,20ll, there was no further official letter on the earlier claims. But, suddenly on the eve of Anna's fast from August 16, Kejriwal got a fresh letter raising the claims of three year salary not refunded as per the bond before going on the two-year study leave. He refuted that, asserting that he did join the service after the leave and worked for three years as committed in the Bond. He also told the authorities that as a social worker he has no bank balance to pay them. At any rate, whatever amount is due in their calculation, can be deducted from his GPF still with his office. The timing of the official action has naturally given rise to the suspicion of vindictiveness.
Such intimidatory acts of pettymindedness on the part of the ruling Congress are reminiscent of its past practices against its political opponents since long. Unfortunately, its present myopic leadership does not seem to be sensitive to the serious implications of such unethical, mean behaviour that can only further destroy its credibility.
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