Upset with the Centre for weakening the anti-corruption Lokpal Act and ignoring the plight of farmers, social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday announced a satyagraha against the Narendra Modi-led government on March 23, observed as Martyrs’ Day, next year.
‘Evading issues’
“The then Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, had given me a written assurance that the Lokpal Bill would be passed with immediate effect but he didn’t deliver on his promise. During his election campaign, Mr. Modi promised the appointment of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas at the Centre and the States but has failed to deliver. They have deceived the country,” Mr. Hazare said.
The anti-corruption crusader said that he wrote 30 letters to Mr. Modi concerning the issues of farmers and the implementation of the Lokpal Act, but did not receive any response. He accused the government of evading farmers’ issues and failing to deliver on its promises.
“Despite an anti-corruption agenda, Mr. Modi has further weakened the Lokpal Act. He presented an amendment in Parliament on July 27, 2016, through which a provision was made that relatives of [government] officers would not have to submit details of their properties every year. This amendment, which goes against the original Law, was passed within three days but Acts like Lokpal, which strengthen democracy and curb corruption, take years to see the light of day,” he added.
The veteran leader also underlined that reports submitted by multiple commissions on issues facing farmers have not been worked upon. He accused the government of weakening the faith of farmers in the country’s democratic system.
Farmer suicides
“In a span of 22 years from 1995-2017, 20 lakh farmers have committed suicide. This is because the government is more focussed on entrepreneurs and not on those who provide food for the country. To register our protest against these excesses and on the stagnancy around the Lokpal Act, a nationwide agitation will be launched on March 23,” he said.
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2013, was passed by the Parliament on December 18, 2013. The Act allows setting up of anti-corruption commissions — Lokpal and Lokayuktas — at the Centre and State-level respectively.
