Fighting corruption

April 08, 2011 12:15 am | Updated 12:15 am IST

Veteran social activist Anna Hazare's fast-unto-death, demanding the passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill, should be supported by all citizens. A corruption free system is not a favour granted to us by politicians. It is our constitutional right. That politicians were sent back by angry crowds from Jantar Mantar on Wednesday reflects the country's collective sentiment. However, constant friction between the government and civil society will not yield any significant result. A solution should be worked out by enacting a comprehensive bill that borrows the best from the government and civil society.

Viraj Deshpande

New Delhi

Mr. Hazare has taken upon himself the tough task of fighting corruption, which is the need of the hour. The fruits of progress can reach the masses only if we control corruption. We should support Mr. Hazare and wish him success in his great endeavour.

H.J. Abidi,

New Delhi

Mr. Hazare's decision to undertake a fast-unto-death, demanding a comprehensive anti-corruption Bill, is reflective of the common man's disappearing trust in the elected members. The demand is valid and should be implemented with the least delay as politicians have an uncanny capacity to stall or modify bills.

K.V. Raghuram,

Wayanad

Corruption has reached such an alarming level that we can ignore it only at our own peril. To expect the political class to bring about any worthwhile law to counter it would be unrealistic. If there is any issue on which all politicians, regardless of political affiliations, are ready to unite it can be only for delaying, if not denying, the introduction of a law with teeth to deal with political corruption. This explains the delay in giving shape to an effective anti-corruption law for over four decades.

S. Ramaswamy,

Chennai

Driven to a corner by the indefinite fast undertaken by Mr. Hazare, the Congress has started finding some frivolous excuses to wriggle out of the situation. Some Congressmen have even called him an “RSS agent.” Mr. Hazare is a Gandhian to the core.

Vineet Phadtare,

Mumbai

With the Anna Hazare movement against corruption gaining momentum throughout the country, people are also beginning to contemplate about the law-making process. Every law should involve members of civil society to ensure that it is made without loopholes that seek to exclude the influential. It is due to the lack of strict laws that corruption has seeped into all walks of life. It has become almost certain that with money, anyone can give the law the slip.

P.P. Manoj Kumar,

Palakkad

While there can be no second opinion in endorsing Mr. Hazare's crusade, forcing the government to take a stand on the Jan Lokpal Bill without a full-scale debate and discussion on it is fraught with danger. The involvement of extra-constitutional bodies, if permitted, will set a dangerous precedent. All official decision-making processes can be stalled by the interference of such bodies.

Whatever Mr. Hazare's aim, he should work within the constitutional framework. Undertaking a fast, stirring up emotions and exerting pressure on an elected government to force a decision are not acceptable.

A. Thirugnanasambantham,

Coimbatore

Mr. Hazare's demand for a comprehensive bill on corruption is justified. But holding only politicians and senior bureaucrats responsible for corruption is not correct. I am 75 and, as a senior executive who retired from DoT, can say with conviction that corruption, misdeeds and unlawful activities exist at all levels. Old-timers will recall the era when eminent persons like Rajendra Prasad and Sardar Patel left their lucrative legal practice to join the freedom struggle in response to a call given by Mahatma Gandhi. One hopes Mr. Hazare will provide such motivation to his supporters.

V.K. Sharma,

Hyderabad

Gandhiji would have appealed to every individual to shun corruption. The corruption indulged in by the common people on a daily basis is enormous. It is, in no way, less evil than the more visible corruption indulged in by politicians. Coming as it does in the wake of UPA-II's scams, Mr. Hazare's fast has gained popular appeal all right but blaming the government alone for corruption is unacceptable. Ask those crying hoarse whether they have ever stopped their families from indulging in bribery.

Ashok Lal,

New Delhi

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