Anna Beware!

Anna followers, beware! History stands against you. It’s almost impossible to take a movement fuelled, entirely, by well meaning, simple minded, righteous angst, to its logical conclusion, more so if you are fighting against a duly elected democratic government. It is easier to win such battles if you are up against a dictator or a despot.

Democratic governments are huge monoliths with a clear and well defined hierarchical structure and line of command. It’s also a multi headed and many dimensional hydra with a legal mandate to rule. It is a superbly oiled machine run by people who are absolute pros in doing such things.

The reason why your movement stands to fail lies in its very conception

Yours is a loose confederation of idealists, each with his/her vision of what and where India should be. Amateurs without any real experience. Their only strength is their puritanical intent. Take it from me, that it’s an extremely daunting task to keep such a flock together for any length of time.

Already many factors are at work against you.

First on the list is the green brigade. It is also called jealousy in common English. It is assisted by two devastating helpers. One is named, ‘Why him?’ and the other is named ‘Why not me?’ Movements such as yours have no answers to these questions. In essence the are dependent on one or two people.

Number two: The limited attention span of people you lead. Please note that that the electronic media and its icons, the ‘celebrities’ were crucial to your agitation being so widely recognized. A lot of people were there, because faces known to them were there. It was the ‘in’ thing to do and be seen and post on twitter and facebook It had a feel good factor about it.

But then it’s also a populace which is weaned on the power of the remote. They are restless in the search of their next fix of ‘high.’ They need to feel constantly ‘on the go’ and euphoric. Inside, this population, is empty and bitter and are always ready to blame some one else for their woes. This was one of the reasons why the flocked out in such great numbers. It was a chance to hit out at someone and curse them. Ah catharsis!

These are not your usual villager followers. These are the Hi flyers. To keep your TRPs high enough and exciting enough for them to keep hooked to your show will be a major challenge. You know better than me, how many movements have died unsung at Jantar Mantar without them.

At number three, are the most harmful agents. They divide. They ask questions which raise doubts in the minds of all and sundry as to the effectiveness and utility of the movement itself. They are extremely ,extremely powerful and have many a button under their fingers. They use every means to divide movements like yours. Soon the followers are disillusioned and disheartened. And their means and resources are unlimited. Already Mr.Sibal and Co. are on it. Beware!

All the best! I sincerely hope you succeed.