Fearing people power, India’s erstwhile untouchables speak out against Hazare’s anti-corruption movement

In the first real example of how the "anti-democratic" nature of Anna Hazare's ongoing mass movement against government corruption could affect Indian politics, a group of Dalits has come out against the popular leader, alleging that by undermining the political process through street action also threatens India's landmark affirmative action laws.

Dalit activist Udit Raj, who was denied permission for a rally against Hazare, said the protestors' demand to "sidestep" the constitutional process was a threat to democracy, the Times of India reported. He said his group would write a more caste-wise inclusive 'Bahujan Lokpal bill" and send it to Parliament for consideration, according to the paper.

To foreign readers, this might seem to be arcane infighting.  But Raj has recognized an important parallel between Hazare's protest movement and recent agitations against the expansion of caste-based "reservations," or quotas, in higher education and government agencies.  To wit: In both instances, the middle class has turned to the streets to try to influence the political process because it is not numerous enough to influence the government at the polls.