Social activist Anna Hazare has criticised the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government for taking the ordinance route to effect key changes to the land acquisition Act.
He was here on Saturday to receive the honorary doctorate conferred on him by the Vijayanagar Sri Krishnadevaraya University.
‘Undemocratic move’
Terming the move as undemocratic, he said the government could have debated the issue in Parliament and elicited views from the public.
“The ordinance will put the farmers in danger. For, the government can acquire the land belonging to farmers forcibly. Is it democracy? What is the difference between the British rule and ours,” he asked.
Mr. Hazare said in a democratic setup, people were the kings and Grama Sabhas should be made powerful besides allowing them to have a say in matters concerning natural resources.
“Taking decisions after eliciting the opinion of the people is democratic otherwise it is dictatorship,” he said.
Delay blamed
He also took exception to the delay on the part of the NDA government to implement the Jan Lok Pal Act.
“The Jan Lok Pal Act is in place and the government had to implement it by appointing Lok Pal. I have written three letters to the Prime Minister to initiate steps and we are still waiting,” he said.
The ordinance will put the farmers in danger. For, the government can acquire the land belonging to farmers forcibly. Is this democracy?
Anna Hazare
