The Indian spring has arrived

[malaise]

The government's mistake from day one was to jail him for seven days. When they couldn't stop the protests, they tried to release him but he is way ahead of them and the protests are spreading across India.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14553952
<snip>
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has told parliament that the hunger strike by the anti-corruption activist, Anna Hazare, is "totally misconceived".

He said the 74 year old was trying to circumvent democracy by demanding an overhaul of an anti-corruption bill.

Mr Hazare spent the night inside Tihar jail in Delhi after rejecting an offer by the authorities to release him.

He has said he will remain there unless he can resume the public protest stopped by his arrest on Tuesday.

Protests backing his campaign have been gathering momentum across the country.

Hundreds of people have gathered outside Tihar jail, many carrying the Indian flag and shouting "Down with corruption" and "Hail Mother India".

[xchrom]

1. it's a fascinating story. nt

[malaise]

2. Oh yes

The government is now between a rock and a hard place and it is fascinating to watch. Indian people are fed up of corrupt politicians.

[Bonobo]

3. Some on DU think that if it is a Western nation, it is a riot, but if it is non-Western,

it is an uprising.

[malaise]

4. Excellent point

The hypocrisy is breathtaking. :hi:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

5. Sadly, far too many.

:thumbsup:

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. Clearly this isn't a riot, though; a hunger strike, protests, and an auto-rickshaw strike

There's no way this could be called a riot by anyone; if the 'it' you are comparing this to is the recent unrest in the UK, you can surely see that the two situations are very different. It would be completely inappropriate to use the same words to describe them both.

Update from the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-14564727

Personally I wouldn't say this is an 'uprising'; but they may well be able to force the Indian government to bow to the will of the protesters.

[Vehl]

6. The congress government will fall in the coming election for sure

It's indeed heartwarming to see that the protestors have adhered to Gandhian methods and have not gone on looting or destructive sprees.
They are using the same non-violent methods Gandhi pioneers nearly a century ago. Corrupt politicians are done for.

I have a thread on this

Anna wave grips India, people fill streets and jails
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1754716


PS: the main difference between the Indian and the middle eastern "springs" are that the Indian one does not include violence, and is not against dictators but against elected government. The former were trying to overthrow the government, the latter are trying to make the government pass a more stringent anti-corruption bill. This whole "spring" thing, at least for India is a misnomer....very different from what happened in the middle east, doubly so when one sees that its the middle and upper echelons of the Indian public that spearhead this movement.

[Octafish]

7. Down with Corruption.

A message that should resonate in every Democracy.

[closeupready]

8. "Down with Corruption"???! Are you crazy? How are our officials supposed to get elected without it?

:sarcasm: