Three small and successful local tussles against corruption in Bangalore

Even as Anna Hazare fires the imagination of people across the country, here’s an an account of three movements against corruption in the city.

Roses for the BBMP commissionerNearly 120 residents of Sachidananda Nagar Layout joined a protest outside the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) commissioner Siddaiah’s office, as part of a two-year-long struggle to end corruption. Several meetings with BBMP officials followed, in October/ November 2010. In some of their protest meetings, the residents expressed their protest by offering roses to the commissioner. Siddaiah promised to look into the grievances of the residents, and revert in a matter of two days. Two months later, they were given their khatas. None of them paid a bribe.

Speak up about briberyA campaign called ‘I paid a bribe’ was launched on the Internet by the NGO Janaagraha on Independence Day, August 15, 2010. Those writing in could offer their experiences of dealing with corrupt government officials. The state transport department contacted Janaagraha for details of officials who sought a bribe. Show-cause notices were sent to 20 officials on the basis of inputs received. 

Walk to freedom from corruptionOn January 31 this year, to mark the 63rd anniversary of Gandhi’s martyrdom, the ‘Anti-Corruption Walk’ was held in the city, as also across 45 other locations in the country. Walkers demanded an effective anti-corruption law, and expressed dismay that the Lokpal bill had been watered down.