Anna Hazare was a catalyst for what needed to be done

Minister of state for communications and information techno-logy and twice-elected MP from Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot is amongst the Congress's Young Turks. Analysing the Jan Lokpal movement, the nation's mood and the path to reforms, Pilot spoke with Monobina Gupta on challenges the Congress faces:

How has the Anna Hazare-led Jan Lokpal movement affected the Congress? 

This government has committed itself to implementing the Lokpal Bill and ensuring the institution of a strong Lokpal. As a nation and a democracy, we have been able to reach an understanding. Thousands of victorious people left the Ram-lila Ground, convinced that our Parliament would work towards ending corruption.

Anna's taking up the issue and getting mass support resonated with the government, the party and Parliament. Rarely does a country with a democracy the size and scale of India take up an issue highlighted by an individual and his team. Rarely does it become a national issue, addressed in such forceful fashion within Constitutional and legislative propriety. Anna, no doubt, was a catalyst for what needed to be done.

But could the Congress have handled events better? 

From early this year, we were in touch with Anna's team mem- bers and Anna himself. I think a lot of issues were not understood - particularly the timeline Team Anna had in mind. In a democracy, you cannot circumvent certain issues. Anna's team understood this later. Importantly, red tapism and corruption are two different issues. A single Lokpal Bill cannot eliminate all ills. Accountability and transparency are as necessary as e-governance and digitalisation of government services in making a paradigm shift in governance.

What should the government's relationship with civil society and movements be? 

India is a country where protests, peaceful movements, divergent views have been the norm, rather than the exception. You need multiple voices - which is why our demo-cracy, riding out many problems, has flourished. It is the bureaucrats' job to draft Bills. But this time, we had civil society members as part of the drafting committee which included five ministers as well. Extraordinary circumstances demanded extraordinary measures.

Government and civil society have always engaged with each other. They should do so more in the future. We welcome suggestions, particularly from grassroots people on improving governance. But the consultative process must also protect the sanctity of Parliament and its legislative prerogative.

Has Indian democracy emerged stronger ? 

I certainly think so. The process of discussions, negotiations and talks made us more resilient. What could be better than a jubilant people conveying their sentiments to Parliament? It's a great lesson learnt.

Alongside politics, there are perceptions the Congress is going slow on economic reforms. Your view?
We require a guarded approach on how quickly and what areas to reform. A lot has been gained from the last two decades of reforms. At the same time, our cautious policies shielded us against global economic meltdown. Reforms are important - but we also must be mindful of tens of millions of people who need the government to reach out to them. Reforms do not mean giving up your constitutional obligation towards the poor. Social welfare and reforms should go hand in hand.

Those on the socio-economic fringes need support. The Congress needs to focus on them. At the same time, we have to also look after aspiring India - which wants more liberalisation.