From Hero To Zero

[Windjammer]

From Hero to Zero: Media Now Pans Hazare

Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare ended his public fast on its second day due to poor health but vowed to continue his fight for a stronger Lokpal bill than the Lok Sabha has passed.

But the man who was once the media and public’s favorite poster boy took a beating as vocal elements of public opinion shifted from calling him a “crusader” to a “drama queen” on social networking platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

One joke doing the rounds on Twitter said that simply asking the cameras to leave would make Mr. Hazare end his fast, while others such as public relations honcho Dilip Cherian noted: “Political parties glee that #AnnaHazare had a flopshow in Mumbai is undisguised. Media stoking that triumphant feeling?”

Mr. Cherian has a point. Take a look at the mainstream English language newspapers in India today. Almost all panned Mr. Hazare’s decision to end his fast early even though doctors had warned that continuing could seriously damage his health and even though his months-long agitation has put corruption front and center in the public eye.

Here’s a selection of today’s stories:

English tabloid newspaper Mail Today, in a banner headline, called Mr. Hazare’s fast in Mumbai a “Flop Show” and accused him of “beating a hasty retreat due to poor response and failing health.”

The report termed the turn of events “farcical” and called the “twin retreats” (calling off both the fast and his planned Jail Bharo movement) good news for the Congress party, which has been the biggest target of his protests.

English daily Hindustan Times had a similar take on the events in Mumbai on Wednesday. In a news report headlined “Anna Calls off Mumbai flop show,” the newspaper called his fast “dharna politics,” or fasting politics.

The newspaper also added that when Mr. Hazare was asked why he and his team aren’t criticizing the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr. Hazare left the press conference in a “huff.”

Another popular English newspaper, The Times of India, said that Mr. Hazare’s fast ended in a “whimper.” The paper said Mr. Hazare “retired hurt” – a popular term in cricket often used in a case when a batsman is injured or falls ill while batting.

Mumbai-based Daily News and Analysis said that “Brand Anna” had taken a hit among Mumbaikars. It quoted a supporter claiming that the movement had overreached: “Team Anna has also gone into overkill mode which appears to have driven the masses away.”

Others noted that the movement had become overtly political. Mr. Hazare has vowed, for instance, to campaign against Congress in upcoming state elections.

Journalist Pankaj Pachauri had something similar to say on Twitter: “If you behave like a political party, the political parties have a right to treat you like a political party: #Anna team’s lesson.”

A report on the online portal Firstpost.com said that a consensus has emerged that the Mumbai fast was a “flop show” – that term again. In a report headlined “The Anna Tragedy: India Against Corruption needs another leader,” the report said that one way of knowing someone has “failed” is when they start making excuses – and Team Anna did precisely that in Mumbai.

It further added that “Anna is the wrong leader with the wrong ideas for the time.”

The report also said that the body language gave it away: “Much as they tried defending Anna, the IAC leaders’ body language said otherwise. In fact, there is probably a realization among them that they are defending someone who does not really represent their views.”


From Hero to Zero: Media Now Pans Hazare - India Real Time - WSJ

 

[Kalyugi Mirza]

lol there is still lot of time...and as per my knowledge he still have people support...He is still hero

 

[blood]

what did not happen in the past 60 years of our history has happened today , i am talking about the passing of the lokpal bill in lok sabha , this would have never happened it anna hazare wouldn't have protested for it , the only disappointment would be that it will not be a strong bill , so he is still a hero , and lets not forget that we have a law called RTI because of this man .

 

[breeze]

Anna is a woman; a drama queen indeed.

Anna is just another Indian clown who will be brushed aside in short time. It seems the circus is coming to an end, wonder which Indian will put on the next show.

 

[Prometheus]

Anna is a woman; a drama queen indeed.

lol
good one.......

 

[Kalyugi Mirza]

Anna is a woman; a drama queen indeed.

Anna is just another Indian clown who will be brushed aside in short time. It seems the circus is coming to an end, wonder which Indian will put on the next show.

atleast this women have forced some chakas to pass the bill

 

[joy85]

anna hazare ...anti congress or anti corruption...neways lez see if bjp rss finally comes to power...

 

[Thorough Pro]

what did not happen in the past 60 years of our history has happened today.

Eversince I grew up I have been reading and hearing that democracy is the best form of government, a solution to all evils, a source of empowerment to common man. I have also read that India is said to be the largest democracy (probably because of polulation), why then it takes 60 years and requires one individual to ptotest and go on hunger strike to get something done? Does this indicate that democracy is not what it is said to be?

Atleast this is my experience in Pakistan. Whenever there is democratic government, there is more corruption, more unrest, more unemployment, and lower economic activity. Is it because in democracy there are more thieves to plunder national wealth every five years as compared to one man rule (Kingdom/dictatorship), where there is onle one/fewer thieves for a longer period.

 

[Jade]

This is the beauty of democracy. People can make you a hero and then the next day they can make you zero. People rulez in democracy

 

[foxbat]

Eversince I grew up I have been reading and hearing that democracy is the best form of government, a solution to all evils, a source of empowerment to common man. I have also read that India is said to be the largest democracy (probably because of polulation), why then it takes 60 years and requires one individual to ptotest and go on hunger strike to get something done? Does this indicate that democracy is not what it is said to be?

Atleast this is my experience in Pakistan. Whenever there is democratic government, there is more corruption, more unrest, more unemployment, and lower economic activity. Is it because in democracy there are more thieves to plunder national wealth every five years as compared to one man rule (Kingdom/dictatorship), where there is onle one/fewer thieves for a longer period.

But some of the worst defeats and actions in Pakistan have also happened during Military rule.

1. 1971 (Yahya Khan)
2. Siachen 1984 (Zia)
3. Participation in WOT..(Musharraf)

 

[IND151]

remember

ati tethe mati

 

[Windjammer]

But some of the worst defeats and actions in Pakistan have also happened during Military rule.

1. 1971 (Yahya Khan)
2. Siachen 1984 (Zia)
3. Participation in WOT..(Musharraf)

1965 ( Field Marshal Ayub Khan) !!!

 

[foxbat]

1965 ( Field Marshal Ayub Khan) !!!

I didnt include that in the defeats of Pakistan since that was not as spectacular a defeat as 1971.. But ok... if you say so.. Thanks for backing up my point..

 

[Zabaniyah]

Eversince I grew up I have been reading and hearing that democracy is the best form of government, a solution to all evils, a source of empowerment to common man. I have also read that India is said to be the largest democracy (probably because of polulation), why then it takes 60 years and requires one individual to ptotest and go on hunger strike to get something done? Does this indicate that democracy is not what it is said to be?

Atleast this is my experience in Pakistan. Whenever there is democratic government, there is more corruption, more unrest, more unemployment, and lower economic activity. Is it because in democracy there are more thieves to plunder national wealth every five years as compared to one man rule (Kingdom/dictatorship), where there is onle one/fewer thieves for a longer period.

Democracy takes a lot of time to fully mature. Especially in complex third world countries.

 

[Windjammer]

I didnt include that in the defeats of Pakistan since that was not as spectacular a defeat as 1971.. But ok... if you say so.. Thanks for backing up my point..

Grit grinds with Grain, hence one shouldn't resort to Cherry pickings
It also goes to the credit of the so called democratic set up that Pakistanis are suffering worst part of their history.
Any how the topic doesn't concern Pakistan. !!