’Don’t want to be treated like Ramdev’

'Don't want to be treated like Ramdev'

Civil society member Kiran Bedi seeks police protection for the Anna Hazare-led fast beginning on August 16. Claims government has cheated the nation by passing a 'toothless' anti-corruption draft Bill

They are down but, on the face of it, not out. Soon after the Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the draft of the anti-corruption Lokpal Bill, which is to be tabled in Parliament during the upcoming monsoon session that has kept the Prime Minister and the judiciary out of its ambit, civil society members led by Anna Hazare declared that they will again go on a fast from August 16. But memories of what happened with Baba Ramdev at Ramlila ground are still fresh in their minds.

Hanging on: Civil society activists Kiran Bedi and Prashant Bhushan
addressing a press conference following the Cabinet decision to keep
the PM and judiciary out of the ambit of the Lokpal in New Delhi on
Thursday. PIC/Imtiyaz Khan

"We will seek protection," said Kiran Bedi, one of the civil society members. "Even though we expect the Centre not to repeat a Baba Ramdev-type incident, but if at all they do it, we will suffer in silence," she added.
Bedi, India's first woman IPS officer said that civil society members believe "they are fighting for the future of this country and thus will not stop."

Still here! Civil society members Anna Hazare and Shanti Bhushan
after attending the last meeting of Lokpal Bill drafting committee.
File pic

Need of the hour
"The situation in Karnatka is the perfect example of the importance of Lokpal. Had there been no Lokayukta, the illegal mining involving the CM would never have come out. I would also like to say that the appointment of such a person should be done meritoriously," Bedi said.

When asked if the opposition (BJP) is equally guilty on the issue, she said, "We don't yet know and it could only be commented upon once the report is tabled in the house." According to the draft, the body will have a chairperson and eight members, including four judicial members. Information minister Ambika Soni said the chairperson would be a serving or retired Supreme Court judge. She said the Cabinet had approved the draft with minor changes.

Lashing out at the Congress, Bedi said, "The issue is that the Congress leaders think that there are still two years left and they will do whatever they want to. Besides, public memory is short, which they (Congress) want to use to the hilt." Bedi also pointed out that Congress believes if a situation involving voting becomes essential, they will manage it. Anna Hazare on Thursday accused the government of cheating him and the entire nation by clearing the draft of the Lokpal Bill that excludes the clauses the civil society has been fighting for.

"We said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should be brought under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill. Also we discussed that all states should have Lokayukta (ombudsman). It was decided that all these things will be put forward while discussing the bill in the cabinet, but today we found that these were removed," Hazare told reporters.

'Won't give up'
"This is cheating - not just with Anna Hazare but with the entire nation. If states don't have Lokayukta, then corruption will never end. So, we will sit on a fast in Jantar Mantar from Aug 16 on... I will fast until my last breath," he added. Arvind Kejriwal, social activist and civil society member of the Lokpal Bill drafting team said, "Government bill will make the Lokpal toothless, scams won't be probed."

Dismal record
Despite the scams, in more than 60 years of independent India, only one senior politician, Rao Shiv Bahadur Singh, has been convicted of graft. He served a jail term in 1949 for bribery.

Face value
The Lokpal will have separate teams to conduct inquiries and investigations, it will not have the power to prosecute someone accused of corruption. Besides, it would also take up corruption matters allegedly involving Ministers, MPs, Group 'A' officers and others equivalent to this grade in any body, Board, authority, corporation, trust, society or autonomous body set up by an Act of Parliament. The Lokpal would not require sanction or approval under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 or Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in cases where prosecution is proposed. The Lokpal will also have powers to attach the property of corrupt public servants acquired through corrupt means.