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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | War against corruption: Anna fasts for graft law by Rupashree Nanda

War against corruption: Anna fasts for graft law by Rupashree Nanda

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published Published on Apr 5, 2011   modified Modified on Apr 5, 2011
Ignoring Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's appeal, veteran social activist Anna Hazare began an indefinite fast on Tuesday pressing for a more stringent anti-corruption Lokpal bill.

The call has evoked a massive response across the country with even the high profile NAC led by Sonia Gandhi in broad agreement with civil society.

Responding to the call of Anna Hazare, hundreds turn into Satyagrahis and along with him, fast for a strong Lokpal bill to fight corruption in high places in cities across the country. For a nation that ranks at the bottom of the heap on corruption, this solidarity is not surprising.

“We do not want yet another advisory body,” said Kiran Bedi.

Fasting, it seems has only increased their hunger. They don't want big steps - not that their Lokpal bill be accepted, but little by little, this battle must be won. A joint committee to frame the legislation is the first target they are working towards.

"Why should they resist a joint committee? We are not outsiders,” said Anna Hazare.

As the first day of this indefinite fast drew to a close, politicians, activists, lawyers streamed in. There was consensus that the Lokpal bill as proposed by the government is toothless. While the BJP was quick to cash in on this opportunity of supporting him, they appealed to Anna to withdraw his fast.

"The Lokpal Bill should become an effective and credible instrument for fighting corruption among bureaucrats and those in power.... The entire country is today waiting for effective action against the cancer of corruption. The wish of the people should be respected," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

What adds to the churning on the Lokpal bill is that the NAC seems to be in broad agreement with civil society activists, the party prefers to play it down too.
 
"Prime Minister has already constituted a sub-committee headed by Antony..... When the process was already on, then adopting such a path is perhaps not appropriate, probably unnecessary. We respect Hazare very much .... The path he has adopted is premature," party spokesman Manish Tewari said.

This movement has consciously tried evoke the methods and symbolism of Gandhi - from using fasts as a form of protest to going to Rajghat, the question is will it succeed in putting pressure to push the bill which has been waiting for more than 40 years to be passed. And yes, it has its own Gandhi.

This attempt may or may not succeed in getting the dream Lokpal bill, but what it has done is put the spotlight back on the Lokpal bill, the desperate need for it, and resistance to it.

IBN, 6 April, 2011, http://ibnlive.in.com/news/war-against-corruption-anna-fasts-for-graft-law/148339-3.html


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