The BJP today rooted for Anna Hazare’s version of the Lokpal bill, two days after it distanced itself from the draft, the somersault coming in a letter the party’s president wrote to the fasting activist. “We have always been and are for a strong Lokpal,” Nitin Gadkari said in his letter. “For that to happen, (the) BJP accepts your Jan Lokpal bill to be the basis for a strong and effective...

-The Business Standard   There are victors and vanquished only in a war. In a genuinely political engagement everyone must emerge a winner. That is made possible only through compromise, through “give and take”. Through his reasonable statement in Parliament, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has opened the door to an honourable compromise between the government and civil society on the issue of the Lok Pal Bill. Dr Singh only stated the obvious...

Anna Hazare’s insistence on going ahead with his fast despite an emotional appeal from the Prime Minister and other top leaders in the Parliament hasn’t gone down well with a section of the civil society. Swami Agnivesh, who has often associated himself with Hazare’s movement on the Lokpal Bill, said the veteran social activist should have called off his fast after these appeals. “What is the fun in prolonging the fast...

Babasaheb Ambedkar was the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, and so Dalits have an emotional attachment to the Constitution. If a movement sets itself above the Constitution and challenges democracy, a key pillar of the Constitution, Dalits will refuse to support it, says Bhanwar Megwanshi Anna Hazare's 'anti-corruption' movement has received considerable support across the country. The 'mainstream' media is awash with stories about Anna and his...

-Sri Lanka Guardian   There is now huge debate in India on corruption issues. Anna Hazare , a social activist has launched agitation demanding introduction of separate law to create ombudsman (Lokpal), to put down corruption in the country. There is difference of views between government of India and Anna Hazare on the content of the proposed law. Nandini Voice For The Deprived, a Chennai based NGO , organized a debate competition at...