Chameli Revolution of India

Tunisia will be remembered in the history for sowing the seeds of a major
revolution against corruption, tyrants, dictators, and autocrats across the
globe. Non-violent revolution saw the end of regimes in Tunisia & Egypt.
Libya, Baharin, Yemen and Algeria are struggling against the strong
currents of revolution. Libya is on the boil and seeing worst repression &
violence. Perhaps it is matter of time before the change of government takes
place there. But the events have sent strong messages across the globe
rattling even China. Tunisian “Jasmine revolution” would be recorded as
most important global socio-political phenomenon since the collapse of
Soviet Union and its aftermath in Europe.

Prima facie India seems to be isolated or unconnected in any manner with

events in the Arab world except for the Indian workers there. But a peep into
the “Blunderland of Indian Politics” reveals that impact of Jasmine
revolution may have triggered timing of an impending revolution in India
against corruption, declining value system and poor governance. Bharat
Swabhiman floated by Swami Ramdev Baba, the Yoga Guru, has launched a
movement against corruption and black money with a big rally at Ramlila
Maidan at New Delhi on February 27, 2011 with big response. The
personalities like Ram Jethmalani, Kiran Bedi, Subramanyam Swami, Anna
Hazare took the stage to address rally. Since this was in offing for quite
sometime, I am inclined to de-link Jasmine revolution. Nevertheless due to
commonality of the objectives I would say they are off-springs of the same
anger against corruption, mis-governance and value deficit. I therefore like
to call this desi version as “Chameli Revolution”.

Will Bharat Swabhiman be able to sustain the momentum and build up

pressure on the political parties and governments both at the center and in
the states? What best can it achieve against its lofty ideals? What should be
their focus for achieving a measure of success vis-à-vis objectives?

Indian system of governance has been based on the old British Model and
twisted umpteen numbers of times in sixty years to suit the objectives of
political class in the power. The legal framework is admirable compared to
any of the Afro-Arab and eastern world countries. The governments can
come and go but the system can hold on and deliver. That is the inherent
strength of Indian democracy. What we need is campaign against the
political class for the value system embraced by them and perpetrated over
six decades. Rules have been framed with deliberate loop holes or escape
routes built in to satisfy people on one hand and to be able to loot them on
the other. Any political party is as good or as bad as the other. Shades may
differ but ‘spectrum’ is same.

The Indian polity is too thick skinned to bother about morality. Rallies and
fast unto death have not achieved much in the past. But what can make
difference this time is the support of the masses, aam admi, in huge
numbers. Swami Ramdev has demonstrated capabilities to attract as much
crowds as any big politician. And perhaps he has traveled to every nook and
corner of the country and commands respect of the common man more than
any politician. How best he can leverage this aspect would define the path
the movement will take. Invariably such movements are in the danger of
being hijacked midway which must be resisted at any cost.

What can be the achievable objectives in operational terms and levels?

A. Constitutional & Judicial Reforms:

1. Identify and remove the loopholes from legal frame work for
speedy trials of political class and bureaucrats.

2. Have fast track judiciary system for trials of this class and
economic offenders.

3. Remove political patronage and insurance cover against any breach

of law (immunity) for this class and no approvals should be
required for filing FIR/ charge sheet and trial of members of this
class(MP/MLA/Governors/Prime Minister/chief ministers etc).

4. The members of judiciary, though guardians of the Constitution of

India, can not be above any laws and must not have immunity
against unethical conduct.

5. There must be some time limits for concluding judicial trials for
certain types of crimes like corruption, embezzlement, hawala
transactions, etc. so that governance does not suffer.
 6. Investigating agency like CBI should function as totally
autonomous institution without interference from politicians.

B. Election Reforms:

1. Change eligibility criterion for contesting elections for any position

from gram panchayat to President of India and weed out corrupt,
criminal, and dubious characters. Political parties should not be
permitted to field such candidates.

2. Introduce the system of Negative vote. If a voter does not find any
suitable candidate and he wants to eliminate worst of the
candidate, he should be able to cast a negative vote (see my blog
on Negative Votes).

3. The ceiling for expenses by a contestant in election even after

recent revision is paltry considering actual expenditure running
into several crores. The elections should be funded by the state to
eliminate the very reason for need of politicians for black money.

C. Economic Reforms:

1. There should be exemplary and deterrent punishments in cases

of corruption, nepotism, tax evasion and any illegal activity to set
high standards of political behavior.

2. Economic reforms should be undertaken for addressing the

issue of black money within India and stashed overseas. Tax
havens have come forward to address our concerns and we must be
demanding enough to serve our national interests. International
Treaties must be renegotiated to safeguard our interests.

3. If Indian nationals have illegally stashed black money overseas,

their accounts must be frozen, nationalized without compensation
and passports impounded. Passports should not be issued to any
one with proven hawala transactions. Unless such deterrent
measures are introduced, there can be no success in curbing such
malpractices. We need to have political will power to enforce such
regulations.
Through the “Chameli Revolution”, the people of India should try to
change a single most critical dimension of multifaceted and complex
problems of corruption, value deficit and poor governance. And that is
the political will to manage the transition to cleaner polity, ethical
conduct and aam admi oriented governance. Once that is done, the above
reforms will be easier to initiate and implement.

We, the aam admis, are not looking for overthrowing a government as in
the Arab world. We should be looking at ‘Change Management of mind
sets of the polity’ to needs of 21st century suiting a global power in whom
the world can trust. This calls for sustained efforts and pressures from the
masses. I hope Chameli will not be a one day miracle!

Vijay M. Deshpande
Corporate Advisor,
Strategic Management Initiative
Pune-411021

March 1, 2011

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