No respite for govt as Anna Hazare to sit on one-day fast today
Read more:Pranab Mukherjee|Lokpal committee|Kapil Sibal|Jharkhand Mukti Morcha|Baba Ramdev|Anna Hazare
The return of the Anna Hazare group does not signal an end to hostilities as the activists, who are to stage a day-long fast today to express solidarity with Baba Ramdev.
NEW DELHI: The Anna Hazare group on Tuesday reversed its decision to boycott deliberations on the drafting of the Lokpal bill, in a manoeuvre designed to deny the government an easy escape route in the confrontation over the powers and jurisdiction of the anti-graft ombudsman.
The decision to return to the negotiating table was conveyed to finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and came within a day of HRD minister Kapil Sibal's public declaration that the government would go ahead with preparing the draft Lokpal bill by June 30, irrespective of the participation of the Hazare camp. While the government can take satisfaction that the boycott is over, the flip side is that civil society's involvement in framing the Lokpal legislation will ensure that the government gets no walkover on the bill. Also, it will see the slugfest over the demands of activists continuing in a season when the focus is on scams.
The return of the Hazare group does not signal an end to hostilities as the activists, who are to stage a day-long fast today to express solidarity with Baba Ramdev, have not resiled from their position as well as the charge that the government is engaged in duplicity. In fact, in their letter to Mukherjee, the group asked the government to spell out the reasons it did not favour live telecast of the proceedings of the Lokpal panel.
The letter to the FM from Shanti Bhushan also signals that there will be no let-up in the battle on the sticking points—bringing the PM, higher judiciary, the CBI and the conduct of MPs inside Parliament under the jurisdiction of the Lokpal bill.
The next round of talks is slated to be held on June 15.
The Hazare group stayed away from the Lokpal panel meeting on Monday to protest against the midnight police raid on Ramdev's camp at Ramlila Maidan. The Raj Ghat protest has been organized as part of the solidarity with the yoga guru, and presents the government with a powerful front of civil society activists who, between them, claim to represent a sprawling social constituency straddling the hugely influential middle classes as well as Ramdev's own base drawn from small towns and villages in the north.
Significantly, the solidarity is enduring despite the Congress's full-scale campaign painting Ramdev as a surrogate for "communal forces". The alleged saffron leanings of the Ramdev camp has been a major issue with many in the Hazare group.
"Our focus is the Lokpal bill and we do not want that to be lost in subsequent development. But we will protest against the police atrocities at Ramlila Maidan because these are related issues—corruption by the government and its crackdown on people peacefully protesting against it," said Lokpal committee member Arvind Kejriwal. Denying that the members had wanted to quit the panel, he said, "We had some concerns which we had explained in the letter. But neither do we want to quit the panel nor do we want to get into unnecessary confrontation with the government."
Shanti Bhushan's hard-hitting letter, which asks for copies of audio recordings of the deliberations of the panel, strongly justifies civil society's stand on the contentious issues, picking up instances from the Congress's and the UPA's past. The letter says, "The government feels that the ongoing investigations will make a prime minister 'dysfunctional'. So, did Mr Rajiv Gandhi become 'dysfunctional' after investigations started in th eBofors case? Did Mr Narasimha Rao become 'dysfunctional' due to investigations in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha case?"
The letter also asks whether the government will now seek a constitutional amendment to provide immunity to the prime minister, stressing that neither does the Constitution guarantee it nor is it the practice in any country around the world. "What if Mr Madhu Koda or A Raja became the prime minister of this country? A prime minister enjoying complete immunity from any kind of investigations will himself become the biggest security threat," he wrote.
On the issue of horse trading, the letter asked why more than three years after the trust vote, nothing had emerged out of the police investigation under the control of the UPA. "Should we expect the Speaker to award punishment to her own party colleagues?" it said. Describing the judgment of the Supreme Court injail
The decision to return to the negotiating table was conveyed to finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and came within a day of HRD minister Kapil Sibal's public declaration that the government would go ahead with preparing the draft Lokpal bill by June 30, irrespective of the participation of the Hazare camp. While the government can take satisfaction that the boycott is over, the flip side is that civil society's involvement in framing the Lokpal legislation will ensure that the government gets no walkover on the bill. Also, it will see the slugfest over the demands of activists continuing in a season when the focus is on scams.
The return of the Hazare group does not signal an end to hostilities as the activists, who are to stage a day-long fast today to express solidarity with Baba Ramdev, have not resiled from their position as well as the charge that the government is engaged in duplicity. In fact, in their letter to Mukherjee, the group asked the government to spell out the reasons it did not favour live telecast of the proceedings of the Lokpal panel.
The letter to the FM from Shanti Bhushan also signals that there will be no let-up in the battle on the sticking points—bringing the PM, higher judiciary, the CBI and the conduct of MPs inside Parliament under the jurisdiction of the Lokpal bill.
The next round of talks is slated to be held on June 15.
The Hazare group stayed away from the Lokpal panel meeting on Monday to protest against the midnight police raid on Ramdev's camp at Ramlila Maidan. The Raj Ghat protest has been organized as part of the solidarity with the yoga guru, and presents the government with a powerful front of civil society activists who, between them, claim to represent a sprawling social constituency straddling the hugely influential middle classes as well as Ramdev's own base drawn from small towns and villages in the north.
Significantly, the solidarity is enduring despite the Congress's full-scale campaign painting Ramdev as a surrogate for "communal forces". The alleged saffron leanings of the Ramdev camp has been a major issue with many in the Hazare group.
"Our focus is the Lokpal bill and we do not want that to be lost in subsequent development. But we will protest against the police atrocities at Ramlila Maidan because these are related issues—corruption by the government and its crackdown on people peacefully protesting against it," said Lokpal committee member Arvind Kejriwal. Denying that the members had wanted to quit the panel, he said, "We had some concerns which we had explained in the letter. But neither do we want to quit the panel nor do we want to get into unnecessary confrontation with the government."
Shanti Bhushan's hard-hitting letter, which asks for copies of audio recordings of the deliberations of the panel, strongly justifies civil society's stand on the contentious issues, picking up instances from the Congress's and the UPA's past. The letter says, "The government feels that the ongoing investigations will make a prime minister 'dysfunctional'. So, did Mr Rajiv Gandhi become 'dysfunctional' after investigations started in th eBofors case? Did Mr Narasimha Rao become 'dysfunctional' due to investigations in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha case?"
The letter also asks whether the government will now seek a constitutional amendment to provide immunity to the prime minister, stressing that neither does the Constitution guarantee it nor is it the practice in any country around the world. "What if Mr Madhu Koda or A Raja became the prime minister of this country? A prime minister enjoying complete immunity from any kind of investigations will himself become the biggest security threat," he wrote.
On the issue of horse trading, the letter asked why more than three years after the trust vote, nothing had emerged out of the police investigation under the control of the UPA. "Should we expect the Speaker to award punishment to her own party colleagues?" it said. Describing the judgment of the Supreme Court injail
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Readers' opinions (91)
No respite for govt as Anna Hazare to sit on onArticles
Readers' opinions (91)
Sid Harth Harth (USA)
1 min ago (04:17 AM)
I have an idea. Nominate Baba Ramdev as a permanent president. Nominate Sushma Swaraj as permanent prime minister. Nominate A Raja as a deputy prime minister. Nominate Madhu Koda as a permanent Finance minister. Nominate, Baba's alter ego from Nepal as a permanent foreign minister. Nominate Kanimozhi as a permanent Ombudsman, oops, Lokayukta, oops, Lokayuktaa. Nominate Suresh Kalmadi as a permanent Sports and exhibition minister. Nominate Sharad Pawar as a permanent Treasury Secretary. Nominate Sonia Gandhi as a permanent mister of Industry, Trade and Foreign Exchange. The first Constitutional amendment ought to be: No more corruption. The second ought to be: Share and Share alike. The third, "khoob khaao aur khoob khilao." The fourth and final amendment: "baap baDaa naa bhaiaa bhaiaa sabase baDaa rupayaa." The End ...and I am Sid Harth
1 min ago (04:17 AM)
I have an idea. Nominate Baba Ramdev as a permanent president. Nominate Sushma Swaraj as permanent prime minister. Nominate A Raja as a deputy prime minister. Nominate Madhu Koda as a permanent Finance minister. Nominate, Baba's alter ego from Nepal as a permanent foreign minister. Nominate Kanimozhi as a permanent Ombudsman, oops, Lokayukta, oops, Lokayuktaa. Nominate Suresh Kalmadi as a permanent Sports and exhibition minister. Nominate Sharad Pawar as a permanent Treasury Secretary. Nominate Sonia Gandhi as a permanent mister of Industry, Trade and Foreign Exchange. The first Constitutional amendment ought to be: No more corruption. The second ought to be: Share and Share alike. The third, "khoob khaao aur khoob khilao." The fourth and final amendment: "baap baDaa naa bhaiaa bhaiaa sabase baDaa rupayaa." The End ...and I am Sid Harth
Kanayalal Raina (Brampton Canada)
5 mins ago (04:13 AM)
Baba Ramdev is a spiritual guide to multitudes. Through yoga, he has shown an enlightened path to fitness and poise. A spiritual leader gate-crashing politics, however, traverses a treacherous line. A religious teacher's primary role should be helping individuals polish their own selves and reach out to others through kindness and truth. This is the major 'systemic' change a figure like Baba Ramdev can help bring, rather than pushing massive political changes that may require scrapping the Indian Constitution. The yogi must resist the temptation to become a commissar. The Baba's campaign might have the unintended effect of muddying the waters around the Lokpal Bill. Already, as the Baba initially opposed one of Hazare's most important demands - the prime minister being in the Lokpal's purview - the government crowed over civil society representatives being internally divided and lacking cohesion. Despite the proclamations of unity that followed, confusion persists over what exactly Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare are each fighting for, and how far one will support the other. The clouds of rhetoric around them may be inspiring, but demarcating a clear path ahead is vital. Amongst the Baba's demands is the death penalty for corruption offenders. Will the Gandhian Hazare support this? Dr. Kanayalal Raina
5 mins ago (04:13 AM)
Baba Ramdev is a spiritual guide to multitudes. Through yoga, he has shown an enlightened path to fitness and poise. A spiritual leader gate-crashing politics, however, traverses a treacherous line. A religious teacher's primary role should be helping individuals polish their own selves and reach out to others through kindness and truth. This is the major 'systemic' change a figure like Baba Ramdev can help bring, rather than pushing massive political changes that may require scrapping the Indian Constitution. The yogi must resist the temptation to become a commissar. The Baba's campaign might have the unintended effect of muddying the waters around the Lokpal Bill. Already, as the Baba initially opposed one of Hazare's most important demands - the prime minister being in the Lokpal's purview - the government crowed over civil society representatives being internally divided and lacking cohesion. Despite the proclamations of unity that followed, confusion persists over what exactly Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare are each fighting for, and how far one will support the other. The clouds of rhetoric around them may be inspiring, but demarcating a clear path ahead is vital. Amongst the Baba's demands is the death penalty for corruption offenders. Will the Gandhian Hazare support this? Dr. Kanayalal Raina
Ramesh (USA)
9 mins ago (04:09 AM)
Cong is trying to divert the real issues of corruption and black money. Cong is proposing PM, MPs and judges to be out of lokpal bill and they want to keep CBI in their control. What nonsense!! Mr MMS is a disgrace to this country. He shd sit in jail. He did most damage to this country by allowing scam after scam under his watch.
9 mins ago (04:09 AM)
Cong is trying to divert the real issues of corruption and black money. Cong is proposing PM, MPs and judges to be out of lokpal bill and they want to keep CBI in their control. What nonsense!! Mr MMS is a disgrace to this country. He shd sit in jail. He did most damage to this country by allowing scam after scam under his watch.
RRD (Belgaum)
15 mins ago (04:03 AM)
Released in India 7 years ago & Running Successfully “ LOOT LO INDIA� CAST------------------ Hero : Man mohan Singh Heroin: Sonia Gandhi Villain: A Raja, Supporting Villain: Suresh Kalmadi Script By: Karunanidhi Character Actor: Omar Abdullah Friendly Appearance : Rahul Gandhi Comedy Role : Kapil Sibbal Characterless Actors : N. D . Tiwari, Sharad Pawar & Ajith Pawar Dancer : Sheila Dixit Action: Mamta Banerjee Music By: Nira Radia Guest Appearance : AJMAL KASAB, AFZAL GURU………….. Banking Partner : Madhu Koda , L.P Yadav (Laloo), Hasan Ali Choreographer : Hansraj Bharadwaj Financed by: “ POOR PEOPLE OF INDIA�
15 mins ago (04:03 AM)
Released in India 7 years ago & Running Successfully “ LOOT LO INDIA� CAST------------------ Hero : Man mohan Singh Heroin: Sonia Gandhi Villain: A Raja, Supporting Villain: Suresh Kalmadi Script By: Karunanidhi Character Actor: Omar Abdullah Friendly Appearance : Rahul Gandhi Comedy Role : Kapil Sibbal Characterless Actors : N. D . Tiwari, Sharad Pawar & Ajith Pawar Dancer : Sheila Dixit Action: Mamta Banerjee Music By: Nira Radia Guest Appearance : AJMAL KASAB, AFZAL GURU………….. Banking Partner : Madhu Koda , L.P Yadav (Laloo), Hasan Ali Choreographer : Hansraj Bharadwaj Financed by: “ POOR PEOPLE OF INDIA�
Ashish Arora (Mumbai)
26 mins ago (03:52 AM)
"The Anna group reversed its decision to boycott deliberations on Lokpal Bill drafting, but it does not signal an end to hostilities with govt.". Bul*shit. There was never a decision to boycott.. And there were never hostilities with govt. TOI is just a bunch of govt. aides whose articles are always pro-govt. This newspaper guys are the most responsible for diversion from the issue of strong lokpal bill.
26 mins ago (03:52 AM)
"The Anna group reversed its decision to boycott deliberations on Lokpal Bill drafting, but it does not signal an end to hostilities with govt.". Bul*shit. There was never a decision to boycott.. And there were never hostilities with govt. TOI is just a bunch of govt. aides whose articles are always pro-govt. This newspaper guys are the most responsible for diversion from the issue of strong lokpal bill.
...and I am Sid Harth
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