Hazare on ’fast’ track against corruption

The veteran social activist on Tuesday began his hunger strike in the Capital demanding enactment of a comprehensive anti-graft law

Hazare on 'fast' track against corruption

The veteran social activist on Tuesday began his hunger strike in the Capital demanding enactment of a comprehensive anti-graft law

Silent protest: Social activist Anna Hazare (front) at Jantar Mantar in
New Delhi on Tuesday. Pic/Rajeev Tyagi

"I am not asking them to immediately pass the bill but I am observing fast-unto-death till the government agrees to form a joint committee comprising 50 per cent officials and the remaining citizens and intellectuals to draft the Jan Lokpal Bill," said Hazare.

Moving ahead to Amar Jawan Jyoti in an open jeep, Hazare asked more people to join them. "The Prime Minister says we trust you, we respect you. But, then why did the PM not sit with us even once after the meeting last month? PMO office is saying they are surprised at my move but I have sent several letters to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and even met the Prime Minister but no concrete steps were taken to implement or even discuss positively the enactment of the Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by social activists and public leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Justice Santosh Hegde. Now, I am starting this public movement to demand the same and the government will have to listen to us," he added.

Hazare went ahead with his agitation despite an appeal last night from the Prime Minister's Office, which expressed disappointment over his decision to go on fast unto death. Requesting Hazare to heed the PMO's appeal and engage in a discussion which could lead to enactment of a comprehensive legislation, the Congress described his agitation as "unnecessary" and "premature". It said the government had constituted a panel headed by Defence Minister AK Antony to go into the issue. "Prime Minister has already constituted a sub-committee headed by Antony. We respect Hazare very much. The path he has adopted is premature," said party spokesperson Manish Tewari.

The thousands of supporters who had gathered to support Hazare said they are ready to fight till their last breath. "It's now or never; we need to get our demand fulfilled. At any moment when Hazare will feel that his body cannot support we will take his place. Just as Election Commission and Supreme Court are effective bodies, similarly an institution which is to fight corruption has to be equally powerful," said Kiran Bedi
RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal, danseuse and activist Mallika Sarabhai, and social reformer Swami Agnivesh were present at Jantar Mantar. "Sharad Pawar, who is himself involved in many corruption cases, is leading the group of ministers formed to look into the changes in the Lokpal Bill? Do you think that will help? We want that a joint committee be formed to draft the new bill where at least half of the members are public leaders," said Kejriwal.

'We are with you'
Not only on the ground, Hazare is getting huge support on cyber space. Various anti-corruption groups and fora have already started sending mails and message asking to join him in the fight against corruption. Delhi University student Shikha Sharma wrote on Facebook: "When we can come out on to the roads and support Team India, then we can also come together to fight against corruption. Anna Hazare is our role model and he is fighting for our better future; we need to support him."A dedicated helpline has been set up under the banner of India against corruption to register more and more people with the cause.

Food fo thought
Former MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, facing life term in CPI-M MLA Ajit Sarkar murder case, on Tuesday went on a fast-unto-death inside the Beur jail in Patna, to lend support to the agitation launched by social activist Anna Hazare for weeding out corruption. Pappu Yadav began the fast with other inmates inside the jail after apprising the jail authorities of their decision, reports said. He said he would not withdraw the agitation till Hazare's demand for weeding out corruption was met.

About the bill
The Lokpal Bill was visualised as the watchdog institution or ministerial probity. Broadly the provisions of different bills empowered the Lokpal to investigate corruption cases against political persons at the central level. In the proposed system Lokpal will have complete powers to dismiss a corrupt official. Lok Pal will have powers to probe or prosecute any judge, even CJI, without any permission while in present scenario CJI permission is required even to register FIR against any judge. Also, in the proposed system, politicians will not have any say in selections of chairperson and members of Lokpal.

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