Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Friday came out strongly in support of his fellow campaigner Arvind Kejriwal. Standing by Mr. Kejriwal's integrity and character, Mr. Hazare blamed the government for “playing an ugly game” with Mr. Kejriwal.
Addressing the media on returning to his hometown, Mr. Hazare said: “Why dig out this issue now after four years? I know Kejriwal and he is a selfless person.”
On Friday, the Income Tax Department slapped a notice on Mr. Kejriwal, asking him to pay Rs. 9 lakh. “Kejriwal is working for the country. He could have amassed a lot of wealth, but he did not,” Mr. Hazare said.
“If the government continues to do this, then civil society will have to look for another way to deal with this,” he said, hinting at another agitation.
Mr. Hazare said the victory in New Delhi for the Jan Lokpal Bill belonged to all the people who supported the movement.
Addressing a huge crowd on the Shantiniketan Ground here, Mr. Hazare waved the tricolour at the people who were waiting to see him for the past three weeks. “The country is still being looted through corruption. Till this loot ends, there will be no real independence. The torch of struggle has been lit. People in every corner of the country are standing up.”
He explained the 12-day ordeal that he and his team had to undergo. “[Union Home Minister] P. Chidambaram is a mischievous man. He has lied to us many times during this andolan,” he said. Mr. Hazare was narrating how the DIG (Prisons) of the Tihar Jail did not have any control over the situation, indicating that he was getting orders from the Home Ministry.
The social activist said the fight to end corruption would take at least 15 years more. “This is just the beginning, we still have a long way to go.” Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's dream of a disparity-free nation was still incomplete. “There are social and economic differences among the people. The honour of getting justice is the most important.”
He said farmers and labourers getting their due was important. “Jan sansad — parliament of the people — is important, and anything is possible through it.”
The social activist appealed to the youth to keep burning the torch of freedom.
Keywords: Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal, Jan Lokpal Bill, Lokpal Bill, IT Department notice
Mr. Arvind Kejriwal does NOT have the moral right to stay as a leader in Anna Hazare's movement. Sabbatical is given for the purpose of gaining knowledge and applying it for the benefit of employer. Although Mr. Kejriwal may be legally right in his claims that he has not violated the contract terms, he has morally violated the contract by going on unpaid leave from 2004-2006 per his own admission. Thanks to senior people like Mr. Kejriwal, an IRS officer, IT dept is inefficient and has no work ethics which is why ordinary middle class people get IT refunds 3 years after it is due and they wake up five years after Mr. Kejriwal resigned. Mr. Kejriwal is clearly part of the menace against which he is seemingly fighting. Anna does not have the understanding of governance not does he have practical solutions. I would ask these so called agitators to sit outside passport offices, IT offices, and help ordinary citizens get their work without paying bribes!
These actions by the Government clearly shows vindictive attitude against social workers who are associated with the recent anti-corruption movement and intend to send a clear signal to those who are willing to participate in the anti corruption movement led by Anna Hazare.It is not surprising that the UPA II Government which surpassed the limits of any corruption scandal in Indian history is trying its best to prevent any mass movement against corruption,if viewed from the statements made from several Congress leaders from time to time. Congratulations for The Hindu to bring out these topics in the open forum.
The parliament ,by voice vote has approved the legislation and the whole nation is rejoicing on the historic decision after a nonviolent satyagraha. Now the govt should according to the rules in force,fulfill the commitments made to create confidence in the people. This is a historic attempt to purify the land. The govt should follow that path. Any other path will be misunderstood by the nation. We are now witnessing privilege motions. Kiran bedi,then against senior advocate bhushan,then action against kejrewal. This is not in good taste and such action goes against the win win spirit of the nation after the withdrawal of the fast. Proceed with the promised legislation and prove the bonafides of the govt. Later ,the govt can initiate action if necessary.
A good Govenment would resign if so many scams surface. It would resign if there was such a huge protest here they had to eat a humble pie. It's members if they speak lie in public would be made to resign and removed from it'sparty membership. This is respectable way to go about in public life. There is precedence in their own party, late Shashtrijee resigned after a train accident. He was not the driver of the train, he was railway Minister, sitting in Delhi. He felt under his stewartship this had happened and thus responsible.
How low have we sunk, indeed.
The dept which has to steadfastly & vigorously follow up & collect tax arrears from defaulters has miserably failed. For this lapse, penal interest on the dues must be levied on the CIT. If the bond conditions of Shri Kejriwal stipulates that he can leave the services during bond period after serving a period of years, the govt could have recovered dues from his GPF. However, slapping a notice after such a long gap shows govt's vindictive attitude against a social worker. Similarly, pressing for privilege against Messrs Kiran Bedi and Prashant Bhushan is also unwarranted. What MHA or Parliament can do to thousands of readers of your esteemed daily as well as other newspapers who have expressed anguish against the MPs & echoed the statements by the above? It is becoming evident that govt has lost its balance & good sense does not prevail in the PM & his senior cabinet colleagues. All this also conveys the arrogance of congress party in dealing with its critics & opposition parties.
The Govt. is clearly acting in a vindictive manner.This is a smear campaign against Mr. Kejriwal and other members of team Anna. They are trying to portray this as a case of moral turpitude. Even if Mr. Keriwal has violated the terms of a bond, it is not a crime. The Government has lost umpteen number of cases in courts on the issue of bond violation. Bonds are instruments used by Govt. depts. to terrorize it employees. India is a free country. No one can restrict movement of its employees by imposing bonds. Bonds are undemocratic. Secondly, from the facts available, it is clear that Shri Kejriwal has served IRS for a period longer than the bond period. Thirdly, by not paying his GPF, the Government is committing an illegal act. The irony is that while tax evasions running into lakhs of crores exist, the IT department seems to find time into the issue of Mr. Kejriwal who has not even evaded any tax. The exaggerated estimate of Rs9L include interest component of Rs2L. Ridiculous
Mr A.K.Jain is belittling the dubious approach of the U.p.A govt. No doubt Mr Kejriwal can and will reply. The point is the timing.An incident of 2006 is taken out to picturise him as a culprit. The fact of the case does not seem so.and still the I.T.DEPT WHICH IS INFAMOUS for the corruption is doing this as the Lokpal Movement is going to affect them most.
If Kejriwal has to make a payment, he has to make it.. The timing certainly can be a question but that does not negate the fact that every individual needs to abide by the rules of the land. Even if they are the so called civil representatives who are championing the cause of anti corruption and making the most amount of noise. It should be followed with action.
At this time if the government goes for retribution on those who were in the forefront of the civil society will lead to downfall of the recouped image of P.M and his government. The congress high command should not spare any initiative for instructing various ministries not to resort any political vendetta programmed against the civil society leaders. The government had lost all credibility when the entire nation fell in the grip of shock and indignation over the fraudulent practices followed by the telecom ministry with the support of PMO and other ministries leading to the colossal loss to the exchequer. Scams after scams revealed to public how the government with its entity had acted in a irresponsible way as if it was absolved from the authority and responsibility in respect of issues connected with various ministries, especially those under the control of coalition partners. All lapses gave more chances to the people even to over-imagine scams that had to some extent underestimated the integrity of the Prime Minister. Further dishonor to congress is that it was still carryon the league with the regional parties just to stay in power and bury its inequities.
Arvind kejriwal is a great patriot. By now Indians know his selfless service to our nation by giving his whole life for fighting against Indian political and bureaucratic system. It is sad that govt has not learnt much from annaji'fast and unpreciedented support from whole of India. Govt is being vindictive by raising flimsy issues like bond money etc. We IITians can raise Rs. 9.0 Lacs in no time. Pl convey this message to him. Our full support is with with him.Indian politicians should stop playing dirty with good and honest people,otherwise
Indian people will never forgive them. Arvind is our HERO and will remain so,no matter what smear campaign Govt runs against him.
The body language of Sri Kejriwal says he is honest and truthful to the nation. About Madm. Kiran Bedi? What I say, the whole nation knows about her truthfulness. Congratulation to both team Anna.
Arvind ji, let the Govt. harass you & other Team Anna members. We are with you.
The recent move to eradicate the corruption by SH.Anna is a commendable act after Gandhi, but the congress do not want to pass this bill because if this bill is passed nearly around 200 congress MPs fears that they will be behind the bar and as per WIKI Leaks list in Swiss Bank, most of them are Congress MP and Ministers who has amassed thousand of crore in foreign bank by looting the general public's money those are meant for development purpose. So at every cost they will avoid to pass such a strong Lok Pal bill. Their true image is now evident, to extent they can go.
It is very apparant that govt has lost the common sense. Recent allegations the govt has started making proves it beyond doubt. When Manish Tiwari comes on stage and talks about corrupt Anna, I am sure his family also may not have been standing with him. When govt says Kejriwal was involved in some kind of bond violation, other than congress, everybody knows who is right and who is wrong. We all know congress is only party who has experience of successfully running the govt but now everybody knows how they run the govt. This election will really open the eyes of all the corrupt parties. At last, do we have choice???
Favouritism to Kejriwal shown by Anna Hazare (who has public influence and support after the "movement against corruption") is not expected from a person of such a high cadre. As wrong done of many socially and politically active persons remain unearthed due to Nepotism (such favaouritism) which is also a kind of corruption. If the notice is good then Mr. Kejriwal must make payment and if it is fake then appropriate action against the concerned government official must be initiated. Unnecessary influence of any kind must not be made, as , presently whatever Anna says appears to be true to the public and this may influence justice.
We really do not need Anna Hazare's certificate. We need IT clearance
Please Email the Editor