Is the genie out of the bottle?

The defense minister has a curious take on the ongoing fracas between civil society and the government.

Mr Antony said,  "The walls of secrecy are crumbling...in every field...whether it is politics...or administration...judiciary...business. The trend's started...the movement's started...you can't stop it mid-way."

He also seemed to refer to the growing confrontation between civil society activists and the government over how to introduce a sharp law to check corruption.

"All those who are in key positions in India...they are still not ready for this transition...that is why there have been some problems...but this is another phase of Indian democracy," the minister said. 

From this point on, it is immaterial what the yoga guru ends up doing. People have now found that the government can be made to negotiate with civil society. The politicians know there can be real electoral consequences to egregious graft.

In more than one way, this looks to be a breaking point. Will the momentum be sustained?