New Delhi: In two hundred cities across India
on Tuesday, thousands of college students, young executives and
housewives joined a campaign that asks the government to enact an
important new law to fight corruption. (Watch: Huge crowds in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad)
At
the centre of the movement is respected social activist Anna Hazare who
has begun a hunger strike that he says will not end till the government
proves its commitment to the Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's Ombudsman
Bill). What the government has proposed in its draft, he and other
activists say on the website, indiaagainstcorrpution.org,
is "complete eyewash". Rather than strengthen anti-corruption systems,
it demolishes whatever exists in the name of anti-corruption systems
today. It seeks to completely insulate politicians from any kind of
action against them."
Unless civil society plays a role in drafting the law, Mr Hazare believes, it will change nothing.
Mr
Hazare visited Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat on Tuesday morning
in Delhi. He then drove in an open jeep to India Gate, accompanied by
hundreds of supporters. As he marched to Jantar Mantar, schoolchildren
could be seen waving the national flag. Online, Mr Hazare has received
the support of five lakh Indians. (See Pictures | Comment: What should India do to fight corruption?)
If Mr Hazare is commanding
the attention of the average Indian, it is not just because of his
considerable reputation as a crusader for basic rights for the aam admi
or average Indian. Since autumn, the country has confronted an epidemic
of corruption within the government. The Commonwealth Games, a massive
telecom scandal, and the appropriation by politicians and bureaucrats of
a high-rise in Mumbai meant to house war widows and veterans have
provoked public outrage. The government has been tested in Parliament by
a reinvigorated Opposition. It will now face the people's verdict -five
key states including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala vote this
month.
Mr Hazare and activists who have joined forces with him
hope that the Jan Lokpal Bill will serve as the antidote to systematic
and governmental corruption. They have challenged the government over
its version of the bill - which they say gives politicians over-riding
powers to decide who should be investigated and by whom. Listing
objections on indiaagainstocorrpution.org,
the group says, "Lokpal has been proposed to be an advisory body.
Lokpal, after enquiry in any case, will forward its report to the
competent authority. The competent authority will have final powers to
decide whether to take action on Lokpal's report or not. In the case of
cabinet ministers, the competent authority is Prime Minister. In the
case of PM and MPs the competent authority is Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha,
as the case may be. In the coalition era when the government of the day
depends upon the support of its political partners, it will be
impossible for the PM to act against any of his cabinet ministers on the
basis of Lokpal's report." The selection committee for the Lokpal will
be made up largely of politicians - so there is a conflict of interest. (Read: Why Hazare, Others oppose Lokpal Bill 2010)
Instead,
the Lokpal Bill - Mr Hazare and his supporters state - must grant "an
institution called Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayukta in each state.
Like the Supreme Court and Election Commission, they will be completely
independent of the governments. No minister or bureaucrat will be able
to influence their investigations. Its members will be selected by
judges, citizens and constitutional authorities and not by politicians,
through a completely transparent and participatory process." (Read: What is the Janlokpal Bill, why it's important)
Mr
Hazare wants civil society representatives to be included in the
committee that drafts the bill. The government says that while it is
willing to incorporate suggestions, legislation is the business of
Parliament alone. Mr Hazare disagrees. "I will observe 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," he has said..
Follow us at http://www.facebook.com/newbengaluru
and also in Twitter...
1) AVG Antivirus license key till 2018
