Civil Society: Corruption is destroying the nation! We must do something about it! We must have the right to control the top politicians, judges and officials!

Uncivil Critic: How do you intend accomplishing that?

CS: We must have the right to make a proper law to bring VIPs to book!

UC: Ask parliament to do that!

CS: Politicians produced a useless Lokpal draft! We can’t trust politicians. We citizens must have the right to produce a proper Bill. Laws should only be framed with the consent of the citizens!

UC: You idiot, that’s what democracy is all about! Laws are framed with the consent of the citizens. The laws are enacted by legislators elected by the people!

CS: But that isn’t delivering results! Civil Society must have the final say in framing laws!

UC: Who is Civil Society?

CS: We who represent the people! We are Civil Society!

UC: Oh! I thought it was the Maoists who claimed to represent the people! Anyway, how will you succeed in having your way?

CS: We will compel the government to pay attention! The government must frame laws only after we approve the draft of the Bill!

UC: You moron, the Maoists also claim the right to make laws for the people! Only they have a more persuasive method of getting success. The government may heed you today. The people will heed the Maoists tomorrow!

CS: But the legislators we elect don’t do the job! What else can we do?

UC: Make a political party, select the right kind of candidates, propose the right kind of policies and laws and try to win the election! Once in power you can deliver the kind of governance you want!   

CS: But we can’t make a party, we can’t win the election – that requires huge money and manpower!

UC: Then mobilize both! With the kind of media coverage you get you can’t win the elections? Persuade people to vote for you without using huge money!

CS: That is impractical, we can’t do that!

UC: Then pack up and shut up!