Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement in both houses of Parliament over social activist Anna Hazare's arrest is disappointing and causes concern. It is clear from his statement that he is not only unaware of the country's ground realities; he also does not realize the big mistake his government has made. It is ridiculous that his government is committing one mistake after another and he is trying to show as if everything is being done in a legal manner.
Government's Obstinacy
After how much more disgrace would the federal government realize that its prestige is being ruined and that the government has become a subject of ridicule inside and outside the country?
Despite condemnation of Anna Hazare's arrest by all, the manner in which the prime minister tried to justify the action taken by the Delhi police only shows the federal government's obstinacy. Could there be anything worse than the prime minister stating conditions imposed by the police as right, which is indicative of a dictatorial system from every angle?
Fighting Corruption
It is not surprising that the prime minister opposed the Jan Lokpal bill, (citizens' Ombudsman bill) but how could he support the government draft of the Lokpal bill? It is not only a weak bill, but it is also a symbol of deceit with the people. It is because of this toothless and watered down bill that people are compelled to conclude that the government is deliberately refraining from putting in place a capable system of reining in corruption. Does the federal government have any answer why such a diluted draft of the Lokpal bill was prepared despite talking big about fighting corruption? It is because of this deceit that people of the country are on the streets today.
No matter how much the federal government calls itself committed to fighting corruption, the fact is that nothing is being done that would reassure people that the government is concerned about growing corruption. Since it is the Parliament's task of enacting the law, the civil society would also have to understand its limitations. The manner in which a weak and useless Lokpal bill is not acceptable to the civil society, similarly the civil society does have the right to impose the Jan Lokpal bill on Parliament.
Solutions to Problems
Democracy has some laws of its own and solutions to the problems can be found only within their ambit. When the civil society under Anna Hazare's leadership has brought the egoistic federal government on its knees, and undoubtedly it has lost its splendor, all efforts now should be made to pave the way for enacting an effective Lokpal bill.
Undoubtedly, the responsibility to find a way out rests with the ruling party, but that does not mean that the opposition remains restricted to maligning the government. Like the ruling party, if the opposition too were to say that the Jan Lokpal bill is not acceptable to it, how would the deadlock be broken? It is not only necessary but essential that there is fresh dialogue between the political leadership and civil society and its intention this time should not be to deceive the country.
Government's Obstinacy
After how much more disgrace would the federal government realize that its prestige is being ruined and that the government has become a subject of ridicule inside and outside the country?
Despite condemnation of Anna Hazare's arrest by all, the manner in which the prime minister tried to justify the action taken by the Delhi police only shows the federal government's obstinacy. Could there be anything worse than the prime minister stating conditions imposed by the police as right, which is indicative of a dictatorial system from every angle?
Fighting Corruption
It is not surprising that the prime minister opposed the Jan Lokpal bill, (citizens' Ombudsman bill) but how could he support the government draft of the Lokpal bill? It is not only a weak bill, but it is also a symbol of deceit with the people. It is because of this toothless and watered down bill that people are compelled to conclude that the government is deliberately refraining from putting in place a capable system of reining in corruption. Does the federal government have any answer why such a diluted draft of the Lokpal bill was prepared despite talking big about fighting corruption? It is because of this deceit that people of the country are on the streets today.
No matter how much the federal government calls itself committed to fighting corruption, the fact is that nothing is being done that would reassure people that the government is concerned about growing corruption. Since it is the Parliament's task of enacting the law, the civil society would also have to understand its limitations. The manner in which a weak and useless Lokpal bill is not acceptable to the civil society, similarly the civil society does have the right to impose the Jan Lokpal bill on Parliament.
Solutions to Problems
Democracy has some laws of its own and solutions to the problems can be found only within their ambit. When the civil society under Anna Hazare's leadership has brought the egoistic federal government on its knees, and undoubtedly it has lost its splendor, all efforts now should be made to pave the way for enacting an effective Lokpal bill.
Undoubtedly, the responsibility to find a way out rests with the ruling party, but that does not mean that the opposition remains restricted to maligning the government. Like the ruling party, if the opposition too were to say that the Jan Lokpal bill is not acceptable to it, how would the deadlock be broken? It is not only necessary but essential that there is fresh dialogue between the political leadership and civil society and its intention this time should not be to deceive the country.
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