The increasing popularity of Anna Hazare’s movement and his fast against Corruption has baffled many,especially the intellectuals and more so the Government.
Let me try to elucidate 5 important points that is making it popular.
1. Corruption is an important issue for every one in the country. It is a menace not only for the poorest of the poor but also for the richest of the rich.It is an issue in every corner of the country regardless of gender,class,religion, caste, language etc.
2. Non violent mode of protest is one of the most attractive and safe mode of protest and everyone including a woman carrying a baby or a physically challenged person in a wheelchair can participate.
3. Though the movement itself is one of the most important Nation-wide political activity in recent times in India,it is devoid of political color of any single Party. The movement can be broadly classified as on the Left of the political spectrum in the sense that it is liberal mass based protest against anti-people State. But those participating it hold wide variety of political views.Lack of any political color makes it very popular.
4. Anna Hazare himself is a cute lovable character with a clean image. Team Anna members are also held in high esteem for the integrity of their character and for their track record in public life.
5. Inept handling of the protest movement by the Govt,especially the arrest of Anna and lodging him in Tihar jail and the way Anna handled it helped to increase his popularity.
I have not included 24/7 visual media coverage among the 5 most important reasons because I do not believe it played that important a role as many think. Media aims at improving TRP. Popular non-violent David vs Goliath movements with twists and turns every hour are their bread and butter unless their owners have a vested interest against it. The coverage has contributed to the popularity,but the coverage happened because it is popular.
Though I am not sure how this movement will culminate, I am sure that it is a tremendously positive phenomenon in the Indian political scene.
Trying to be rational 