Corruption is a crime everyone is party to! Whether you wish or not, intentionally or innocently, one participates in acts of corruption on day-to-day basis. 

By corruption, I do not mean just payment or acceptance of bribe. On a wider sense, it refers to any action that is dishonest, violates rules or hampers the society at large. Throwing litter on road, breaking a traffic signal, deriving personal benefits out of official positions are acts of corruption. Politicians or bureaucrats are just not to be blamed for it. Every Indian contributing to corruption is responsible for the termite eating away our system. 

During the anti corruption movement at Jantar Mantar, every other individual I interacted to,was a witness of corruption. And, hardly anyone of them had resisted it. Most of them argued that to survive in the system they were bound to pay bribe. One man told, that if his daughter is dying and she needs blood but the blood bank is asking for bribe, what should he do? Should he pay the bribe and save her daughter’s life or fight against corruption and let his daughter die? I was speechless. God forbid! No one should be put in such a dilemma. 

There were others who started fighting on how it is impossible for them to lead a corruption free life. I believe that such people were at the wrong place. If they are participating in corruption in their personal capacity, they have no right to oppose it. Such Indians were shouting slogans but had not understood the true spirit of Anna Hazare. 

If Anna Hazare could restrict from being a part of corruption chain, why cannot the common man? If he could survive for 72 years without paying bribe, why cannot the aam aadmi? Iwould like to put this question to everyone, be it media persons covering the event, common man supporting the cause, business man who may remain aloof, the labeled ‘chor’ politicians or anyone else, how many of them have actually imbibed Anna ji’s ideals? How many of them have made an effort to resist corruption? 

If middle class has truly accepted Anna Hazare as their hero, why cannot they make an effort to lead a life of truthfulness and honesty? 

If the same middle class can copy Salman Khan’s hair style or Katrina’s dress, why cannot they copy Anna ji’s anti-corruption practice? If made an effort, even a rock can be unturned. If made an effort, we can lead a corruption free life. But that strong determination and strength has to be developed. 

In my personal capacity, till the present date, knowingly, I have never been a part of corruption and would continue practicing the same in every action of mine.

Hope, many would agree to my views, but how many actually implement it remains to be seen. 

I have done so, and hope others do the same.

My salute to Anna Hazare and every Indian who is trying to lead a corruption free life!