Yes Arundhati, You are not Anna!

Posted: Monday, August 22, 2011 by Harsh Chopra in Labels:
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I write this letter after I settle down from my routine journey back to home from office...only that today I was reading your op-ed in The Hindu (http://indianvanguard.wordpress.com/2011/08/23/id-rather-not-be-anna-arundhati-roy/), as i was greeted by IAC(India Against Corruption) workers who were hopping from one bus to another guiding people on Lokpal bill.


To start with let's go back by a few months- that was when Ms Roy you had pitied the nation..the same nation that you are so concerned about now.



Nevertheless having read through your entire article which perhaps is very typical of how some spotlight craving scoffer should put to pen her hurt sentiments...u seem to have written as if Anna stole your thunder.


Now as the entire nation talks about lokpal, what stands out in this entire episode is not a freshly minted saint leading the campaign but the fact that entire nation seeks a debate, a freshness to bring to closure the flaws that we are all so mindful.


The outcome of the protest even the usefulness of lokpal is debatable but certainly not the intentions.


Continuing to spew hatred, you draw an analogy of the protests with India's world cup victory, success of nuclear tests. I for sure would be extremely proud if the flags for these protests are borrowed from the world cup victory parade or nuclear test celebration ...for each of these represent a victory of nationalism ..each of these events united the Indian in all of us ...they gave common man a moment to cheer about, to raise his head with pride and to celebrate an achievement which was not his but of a fellow Indian.


I am but awestruck by your investigative disclosure on source of IAC's protests. It would be great if you could make us more knowledgeable on the source of maoists' and naxalites' funding --those that you so rightfully cherish.


While u r so concerned for Anna's silence on farmer's suicides, nandigram, lalgarh. Ms Roy when you stood and raised your new found concern for Kashmiri nationalism didn't you too forget about the kashmiri pandits who were chased out from their own homeland by the sympathizers and proponents of the same movement of “Azadi” that you so choice fully support. I am waiting for you to speak up for kashmiri pandits,to voice your opinion for one of the greatest planned ethnic cleansing of minorities in recent times (just that these minorities happened to be on the wrong side of fence where secularists like thyself seldom tread)


Then, it’s overwhelming to see the skepticism towards western world and free economy .Especially from someone who had no qualms accepting a booker from a body represented mainly by westerners and for a book with thick anti-communist undertones.


Your entire article is ripe with contempt for the urban elite getting together...let me remind you Ms. Roy the same elite has time and again been criticized by people of your flock to remain quiet and be too self involved, once they come together for a cause skeptics like you are quick to brand the protests as elitist and detached from reality.


In this my cause is bigger than yours argument of yours, you perhaps forgot that The same people you so often embrace for the glamour (or lack of it)..the naxals, the bodos- have directly or indirectly resulted from the institution of corruption.


Let me tell you Ma'am there are many like me who have reservation against Lokpal bill but who definitely are unanimous in their protest against corruption.


Yes Ms Roy you'd rather not be Anna...sine we are convinced the nation cannot rally behind a cynic like you...this country needs hope and not cynicism...it needs people who enthuse it with their positivity and not conspiracy theorists. After years people have risen for a cause that affects the future of our nation, let not skepticism infused by an unworthy scoffer dampen the spirits.


I agree largely with one part of your article..You’d rather not be Anna. And thankfully for our nation you are not and cannot be an Anna!!

1 comments:

  1. Anonymous says:

    Well said... you really captured brilliantly the first thought that came in my mind too when i read this article..... Arundhati Roy is a cynic who is becoming increasingly difficult to take seriously.... Really Ms. Roy offer a solution if you have one.... and if you dont i suggest you shut up and let those who think they have a solution do something about it... I dont completely agree with the stand taken by Anna and his supporters but I definitely salute their endeavour and spirit... If not for any other fact at least feel some shame before shooting your mouth off about a person that aged who hasnt had a morsel for the past 10 days because he genuinely believes that will make a difference!!! What have you ever really done anyway Ms. Roy apart from shooting off your mouth about issues you dont completely understand?!