In conversation with Arvind Kejriwal about his fast from the 23rd March!
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| Hey Arvind, we like you smiling :) |
This is the email we got from Arvind. We paste it here just the way it came. Without any edits. Ditto our reply.
Email from Arvind Kejriwal. 23rd March, 2013. 11:42 PM as per our server time:
My fellow Indian,
Under Anna’s leadership, India came on streets against corruption. The people demanded a strong anti-corruption law. The government did not agree. None of the parties agreed. Obviously, they couldn’t have agreed because if they passed a strong Jan Lokpal Bill, most of the politicians would be in jail and their properties would be confiscated.
My friend, our entire political system has become rotten. Most of today’s problems are due to corrupt politics. Unless it is cleansed, nothing would improve. That’s why we had to enter politics – we tried to stay away, but we realized that approach would not work. We have now formed the Aam Aadmi Party.
Gandhiji said that politics devoid of honesty and spirituality is disastrous for the country. We have to change the politics of this country. I am confident that together, we can.
To watch the video please click here or continue reading……….
Though now under law, we are a political party, however, the struggle against corruption continues. I am sitting on an indefinite fast from 23rd March. Why? Because in collusion with electricity and water companies, Delhi Government has increased electricity and water prices to such levels, that it is becoming almost impossible for common people in Delhi to pay up their bills. Many people are taking loans to pay their bills. But that can’t go on for long. Documents available with us indicate that the prices should be at least half of what they are today. The prices have been increased only due to corruption to favour a few companies. If something is not done immediately, the government plans to further increase these rates in the coming months.
BJP is in opposition in Delhi. It either remains quiet or makes pretence of opposition. The only hope is the people of Delhi. But people are scared. When we asked people to stop paying their illegitimate bills, they were scared that their electricity might be disconnected or court cases might be filed against them.
In order to take the fear out of the minds and hearts of the people and to unite them, I am sitting on an indefinite fast from 23rd March. This time, we are not demanding anything from the government. My appeal is directly to the people of Delhi – “I will stop paying my electricity and water bills, will u also do that? Let’s all unite. Don’t be scared. If most of the people in Delhi stop paying their electricity and water bills, no government will have the guts to disconnect anyone’s electricity. Even if the government does that, connect it again yourself.
I have given up food from March 23rd; will you give up your fears and stop paying your bills?”
Are we encouraging anarchy? No. If the government enacts a completely unjust law or is guided by corruption, then according to Gandhiji, it is the duty of every citizen to violate that unjust law and invite punishment. Else, we would be supporting injustice and corruption. Today, there is anarchy in every household in Delhi due to government’s corruption. If people stop paying bills, there might be anarchy in the houses of some politicians, but people will live in peace.
Through this letter, I seek your participation, in whatever way you can.
If you live in Delhi and want to join the movement by stopping to pay your bills please click here to sign the petition.
If you wish to volunteer your time for this campaign, please click here to contact Aandolan Kendra in your ward.
If you live outside Delhi, please call your family and friends in Delhi asking them to support the campaign or you may even come and assist us in Delhi.
If you wish to remain in touch please click here to give us your contact details.
Do not hesitate to write to us at contact@aamaadmiparty.org, if you have any questions or suggestions.
Kindly forward this mail as widely as possible. Every effort helps, in the fight against corruption.
Jai Hind.
Warm regards,
Arvind Kejriwal
***
Under Anna’s leadership, India came on streets against corruption. The people demanded a strong anti-corruption law. The government did not agree. None of the parties agreed. Obviously, they couldn’t have agreed because if they passed a strong Jan Lokpal Bill, most of the politicians would be in jail and their properties would be confiscated.
My friend, our entire political system has become rotten. Most of today’s problems are due to corrupt politics. Unless it is cleansed, nothing would improve. That’s why we had to enter politics – we tried to stay away, but we realized that approach would not work. We have now formed the Aam Aadmi Party.
Gandhiji said that politics devoid of honesty and spirituality is disastrous for the country. We have to change the politics of this country. I am confident that together, we can.
To watch the video please click here or continue reading……….
Though now under law, we are a political party, however, the struggle against corruption continues. I am sitting on an indefinite fast from 23rd March. Why? Because in collusion with electricity and water companies, Delhi Government has increased electricity and water prices to such levels, that it is becoming almost impossible for common people in Delhi to pay up their bills. Many people are taking loans to pay their bills. But that can’t go on for long. Documents available with us indicate that the prices should be at least half of what they are today. The prices have been increased only due to corruption to favour a few companies. If something is not done immediately, the government plans to further increase these rates in the coming months.
BJP is in opposition in Delhi. It either remains quiet or makes pretence of opposition. The only hope is the people of Delhi. But people are scared. When we asked people to stop paying their illegitimate bills, they were scared that their electricity might be disconnected or court cases might be filed against them.
In order to take the fear out of the minds and hearts of the people and to unite them, I am sitting on an indefinite fast from 23rd March. This time, we are not demanding anything from the government. My appeal is directly to the people of Delhi – “I will stop paying my electricity and water bills, will u also do that? Let’s all unite. Don’t be scared. If most of the people in Delhi stop paying their electricity and water bills, no government will have the guts to disconnect anyone’s electricity. Even if the government does that, connect it again yourself.
I have given up food from March 23rd; will you give up your fears and stop paying your bills?”
Are we encouraging anarchy? No. If the government enacts a completely unjust law or is guided by corruption, then according to Gandhiji, it is the duty of every citizen to violate that unjust law and invite punishment. Else, we would be supporting injustice and corruption. Today, there is anarchy in every household in Delhi due to government’s corruption. If people stop paying bills, there might be anarchy in the houses of some politicians, but people will live in peace.
Through this letter, I seek your participation, in whatever way you can.
If you live in Delhi and want to join the movement by stopping to pay your bills please click here to sign the petition.
If you wish to volunteer your time for this campaign, please click here to contact Aandolan Kendra in your ward.
If you live outside Delhi, please call your family and friends in Delhi asking them to support the campaign or you may even come and assist us in Delhi.
If you wish to remain in touch please click here to give us your contact details.
Do not hesitate to write to us at contact@aamaadmiparty.org, if you have any questions or suggestions.
Kindly forward this mail as widely as possible. Every effort helps, in the fight against corruption.
Jai Hind.
Warm regards,
Arvind Kejriwal
***
Dear Arvind,
I got an email from you a while ago. I am an aam aadmi myself. We all are. Like most Indians, existence, looking after our employees and building a great organisation is what we seek. Amidst our day to day struggles, we forget to think about society and other things.
I write to you personally because I respect you and your efforts. I have seen some of your work.
However, I have a different view of things.
# About the Delhi water and electricity problem, I think you are fasting yourself unnecessarily. I think you are fasting for people like us who are in our hearts and souls crushed so much that we do not have a voice or stand anymore. So, we will let you down. The aam aadmi will let you down. I will let you down.
# We are like parasites. All human beings. We will exploit each other. Bigger organisations will exploit smaller ones. Together we will exploit mother earth and finish her before a few of us will move on to another planet, leaving this one to rot and die with most of us.
# Let us face this. When we cannot afford it anymore there will be an outcry. Can we simply not stop consuming? Can we all just not turn off the power and sit home? Can our corporate not shut down the office power supply and stop work? Can banks and critical services not shut down in protest. If no one is consuming power and water at that price point, the companies will start talking new rates. How come one cellular operator started free incoming calls on cell phones years ago and they all followed? Simply because there was no choice. The consumer was[and is] king.
You get my point? You should use your charisma and work out a way to tell us all to stop consuming over rated services. You should start that movement.
You have a life. A family. Why give it all up for something that I don’t see working. Why waste your time fasting and taking sh** from everyone? Why burn yourself out?
But, if you start that no consumption motion, I promise to turn off my power and lights. To join the movement. And if I don’t, call me a selfish man.
God bless you. Respect to the max! (To that max! - Kaushik Das)
Rahul Mishra
Consultant - Real Pillars Consultancy Private Limited
***
That was our simple, true and honest feedback to Arvind Kejriwal's email. If we get a reply to that, we will update this article and post an update on all channels for our readers.
Updated on 23rd April, 2013:
Email received from Aam Aadmi Party -
Dear Rahul Ji
Thanks a lot for your suggestions and support. Sorry for delay in reply to your mail. Your devotion to the country is substantial and we appreciate it very much. Your idea has been forwarded to the appropriate team and is being consolidated. Feel free to share any more ideas that you have. We will be looking forward to regular contribution from your end.
Keep checking our website for any updates. Let’s keep in touch.
Regards Team AAP
***
Thanks a lot for your suggestions and support. Sorry for delay in reply to your mail. Your devotion to the country is substantial and we appreciate it very much. Your idea has been forwarded to the appropriate team and is being consolidated. Feel free to share any more ideas that you have. We will be looking forward to regular contribution from your end.
Keep checking our website for any updates. Let’s keep in touch.
Regards Team AAP
***
He marches. In the hope that others shall follow. He marches. In the hope that others will believe.
ReplyDeleteHe marches. In the hope that we will understand.
He marches. In the hope that he will not deceive.
But if what the hope does?