Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's charge that Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev are trying to dictate terms to the Centre (June 13) is quite unconvincing. Our parliamentary democracy is continually “weakening” not because of social activists and hapless voters but because of the predominantly corrupt, power-hungry, self-centred politicians. Mr. Mukherjee's contention that dictating the time-frame for the passage of a bill from outside will weaken the system — in the context of Mr. Hazare's decision to go on a fast if the Lokpal bill is not passed by August 15 — amounts to questioning people's right to peaceful agitations.
P.R.V. Raja,
Pandalam
It is only because successive governments failed to pass a strong and effective law against corruption that civil society entered the fray and started pressuring the political leadership. What is wrong in people taking active part to strengthen the foundations of democracy? Not all our elected representatives are selfless, service oriented politicians. Some even have criminal cases pending against them. As long as our leaders fail in their duties, civil society will have to remain vigilant.
V. Seetharamiah,
Bangalore
The ruling parties and the Opposition have been equally indifferent to corruption. Somebody had to start a fight against it some day. It could have been A,B,C or D. It does not matter who the torch-bearer is. It is the end result that matters. Mr. Hazare wants to bring some control over rampant corruption in a democratic manner. Baba Ramdev, on the other hand, is a political novice. He jumped into the fray thinking the old players would fear him and run away. It was not to be. I do not believe in his ways but I back his cause.
S. Shashindran Pillay,
Thiruvananthapuram
With due respects to Pranabji, I would like to make it clear that all of us are behind Mr. Hazare and Baba Ramdev who are fighting for a clean nation. It is not the two ‘activists' who are dictating terms to the Centre. It is the nation that is telling the government what to do. Isn't democracy a government of the people, by the people and for the people?
R. Ganapathy,
Chennai
Why did the Centre take so long to realise that Parliament is the ultimate legislative body? Why did it not tackle the root cause of corruption and black money for 43 years? Who is responsible for the existing state of affairs? Does not the common man need a platform to vent his anger against corruption — particularly after coming to know about scams after scams involving lakhs of crores of taxpayers' money?
V. Devadas,
Kannur
Instead of finding a proper and effective solution to check corruption, the government has chosen to denigrate the anti-corruption movement by citing the RSS' support to it. The RSS or any of its sister organisations is not banned. The anti-corruption movement is a movement of the masses; any desirous Indian can participate in it.
M. Raghunarayan,
Mysore
Corruption is not a political issue although many politicians are involved in it. It is a social and economic problem that should be tackled by a strong tool involving all people with the help of the government. People should take a pledge that they will not encourage corruption.
Corruption has been in existence for long. People tolerated it and encouraged it for their own sake to get things done quickly and effectively. Thanks to Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev, awareness on the issue has been created. We should stand behind them to achieve a corruption free India.
V. Anand Kumar,
Chennai
