The Jan Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare, and Baba Ramdev

partha · Post by **partha** » 11 Apr 2011 09:36

Sachin wrote:BTW, did any one miss this gem from the son of humble farmer? (i.e Kumara Swamy s/o H.D Devegowda)
Can't think of politics without corruption: HDK

Kumaraswamy, speaking to reporters here on Sunday, said that in the present political scenario, no one can organise a political party or win elections without being involved in corruption. "If anybody speaks about non-corrupt system, it will not be truth," he said.

He said if Gandhians entered politics they might not succeede. Even if Mahatma Gandhi were alive today, he might have either quit politics or accepted corruption.
Everybody should accept the reality, he added.

Sachinji, it is actually a gem. Because that is the sad truth unfortunately.

kmkraoind · Post by **kmkraoind** » 11 Apr 2011 11:36

I do not think Anna Hazare has been played in a script scripted by INC. Yes there are previous instances of corruption of Sharad Pawar, et al. But the important point is that people accepted them a nuisance value and accepted their local development to look other way. But every malady has a boiling point, what is it.

1. The specter at which 2G scam and loose to the exchequer by Uninor, Swam, etc. The way the UPA defended these.
2. The way the UPA handled the CWG mess, from inception to ticket selling.
3. High inflation pressure.
4. The direct corruption where people faced in day-to-day activities, like police, registration, revenue dept.
5. The catalyzing factor of Arab unrest.

If democracy is criteria, even Saddam Hussein has been winning with 98% votes. Assume a scenario, where 65% participated in voting, the winner had won a tough battle of 3 strong opponent and a dozen of independents, thus probably at best he got 30-35% of polled votes (assume that out of it 25-30% are brought votes by liquor, currency and goodies) . Then how can a 20-25% accepted becomes representing 100% people. At govt level, where govt runs a thin majority means, persons mandated for 8-15% acceptance making laws for whole nation. May it be called indirect parliamentary democracy, but the meaning of democracy is that it is representative of majority people, if not IMO it is called sham democracy just like Saddam democracy.

There is anger amongst the middle class people. Though they are main engine and main source of tax to exchequer, they have no say in decision making process, because fulling their desires is much costlier than buying votes, so politicians will give token interest in the middle class interests (better roads, water, governance etc).

Middle class is not even getting basics from govt like:
1. Security (Mumbai fiasco, unable to act decisively or any other Paki/Maoist based misadventures).
2. Education (systemic degradation of govt education dept, where they have to pay from kindergarten to higher education, where they have to pay out of their pocket).
3. Health (where simple wounds to complicated health, everything they have to pay their own pocket).

When compared to tales of western social sector, ours is pathetic, yet one has to pay high taxes, yet they have to bribe everybody, this is building the simmering and latent angry against govt machinery, but single helpless against mighty govt kingdom.

Even though there is corruption, even in Anna Hazare had started the current like movement 10-15 years ago, it would not have succeeded, because the situation has not reached boiling point.

Regarding media, the precedent is set by TN. Instead of media getting a share, they have started their own media and minimized the sharing. The media thought it will not be much incentive, so probably they have reverted back to their own rules. Previously, TOI group has been parroting and patronized business groups where they received their cut. But with the advent of CNBC, Bloomberg, Sony, the incentive has been reduced. That is why local desi media types like Times Now and NDTV gave much media hype, rather than IBN, which have supported and started the questioning the methods.

Regarding electoral reforms, the effective JLB has nearly half prescription. Any political opponent now can tip off huge cash flows of a politician and Lokpal will question the source, so the monetary angle of electoral reforms has been taken care off.

Dilbu · Post by **Dilbu** » 11 Apr 2011 13:32

Hazare supports Modi and suddenly the general perception changes from INC stooge to RSS stooge. Fun to watch onlee.

Sri · Post by **Sri** » 11 Apr 2011 13:35

I think, we and many other people underestimate the mango voter in India. India is a very sophisticated democracy and multi party parliamentary rule suits us the best. It’s not perfect but it is better than any other form of Government that exists. Indian voters have a history of rewarding and ditching parties in accordance with the collective psyche of the nation. I for one believe that the system is pretty good in reflecting the mood of collective majority.

There is no other example in developing world other than India which produces such a great array of grass roots leaders. People like Mamta and Mayvati may be eye sore one class of Indian voter but they represent Bharat and it’s grass root psyche at best. I have read people complaining about vote buying and other incentives being doled out by politicians to get votes.I ask what is wrong with that. Every 5 years a poor man is the ‘Raja’ has birayani and gulps down multiple shots of somras and may be in process earns 5K or 10K but who says when it comes to voting he is swayed by this and that he doesn’t understand as to why he is the chosen one for few days.

Bhai log all you have to do is to hit the street ans talk to random mango about politics. You will be amazed the sophistication of political understanding they will demonstrate. One voter group that no one talks about but politicians are shit scared of are the housewives. TN battles are specially fought in kitchens rather than the dusty road. Indian woman is empowered in a unique way that is almost unequal in any other example of a functioning democracy.

People here might ask me as to why then we do not have tough corruption laws or tougher implementation of them. To that my answer is, we are like that onlee. We are a nation of Hypocrites and thus we get Hypocrite leadership. We are a complex culture and no answer is straight forward here. Remember the saying – “what is true about India, almost opposite of that is also true about India”.

In the mind of most Indians, our time has arrived. All these issues bad Infrastructure / poor education / corruption will be dealt with one by one.

I also disagree with people here who suggest that education system is in shambles. Education system in India today is much better than it was years ago. It’s not perfect but it’s better than say in 80s and 90s.

Samay · Post by **Samay** » 11 Apr 2011 19:29

^ Sometimes people , when they cant change things and also dont know why the bad man is winning , try to justify evil in mysterious ways because human mind tends to think that whatever is happening should be correct thats why its happening ...

The point is that we Indians are champions in self devastation whenever we get the chance of becoming supreme , because few men like ..., etc do blunders ,that too deliberately .

Its time we call a spade a spade , and fight for justice ,everywhere, inside-outside .

INC thinks that they can 'manage' the public outragge and sentiments, this time as well . But I think they are overestimating their power of deception...

There is an old song ' yeh public hai yeh sab janti hai' . The people must be told whats the truth, again and again.
the story of 2g,3g,hawala scams should be attached permanently with the name of anna hazare , wherever he goes and whatever he does

kasthuri · Post by **kasthuri** » 11 Apr 2011 19:30

Will the video recording (and telecasting??) of the proceedings help in anyway in the execution of this bill? IMO transparency can only help if the committee people are confident of their decisions.

Sri · Post by **Sri** » 11 Apr 2011 19:44

Samay wrote:^ Sometimes people , when they cant change things and also dont know why the bad man is winning , try to justify evil in mysterious ways because human mind tends to think that whatever is happening should be correct thats why its happening ...

The point is that we Indians are champions in self devastation whenever we get the chance of becoming supreme , because few men like ..., etc do blunders ,that too deliberately .

Its time we call a spade a spade , and fight for justice ,everywhere, inside-outside .

INC thinks that they can 'manage' the public outragge and sentiments, this time as well . But I think they are overestimating their power of deception...

There is an old song ' yeh public hai yeh sab janti hai' . The people must be told whats the truth, again and again.
the story of 2g,3g,hawala scams should be attached permanently with the name of anna hazare , wherever he goes and whatever he does

Samay Ji, I hope you understand that I am not saying everything is ok. It is not. But I also do not agree that everything is Bad. INC will pay and pay heavily.

I know INC's tag line now days is 'this too shall pass' and in short term it will seem as if things have passed, all I am saying isn ballot will show the cahnge and not agitation....

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 11 Apr 2011 19:53

The truth is simple and direct. Anna Hazare has replaced Baba Ramdev as the central figure in the nation’s war against corruption in exactly the same way that Gandhi replaced Tilak and Aurobindo within the Indian National Congress; and for the exact same reasons: no people’s movement in Hindu bhumi will be allowed to be led by a conscious Hindu, no campaign in this country will be allowed to wear a Hindu face;
:
:
:
Baba Ramdev's campaign against corruption, which was seen as attacking the Congress and its imported President, had an explosive beginning on February 27 at Ramlila grounds in Delhi with a blood-curdling mammoth gathering of around two lakh people; but all major English newspapers and English TV news channels, in stark contrast to their contrived hysteria over Anna Hazare's campaign, either blacked out entirely or made only passing reference to the start of what would soon become Baba Ramdev's cataclysmic campaign against corruption in public life.

Baba Ramdev followed Delhi with Goa, Chennai, and Bangalore, and at every stop the movement against corruption gathered unstoppable momentum. Sonia Gandhi and her handlers in the Generic Church had to move fast to stop the Ramdev juggernaut and contain the damage.

The writer had observed on an earlier occasion that the Church has the unmatched capacity to turn all events, including adversities, adroitly in its favour. In less than two months the Church changed the face of the people's movement against corruption. The saffron-clad Hindu religious face of the movement was replaced by the Gandhi cap; and Baba Ramdev's movement, which was aimed directly at Sonia Gandhi, was now turned into a movement directed by Sonia's minions in the NGO industry!

The Church and the world feel safe again as idiot Hindus – film stars, students, upwardly mobile professionals, lawyers, judges and politicians – indulged their craving for catharsis to cleanse their corrupt, guilt-ridden souls and gathered penitently around Anna Hazare's toothless belligerence under the Gandhi cap.

http://www.vijayvaani.com/FrmPublicDisp ... px?id=1722

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 11 Apr 2011 19:58

Anna Hazare movement had the potential to snowball and engulf the INC on corruption. Hence the need to join him and make MMS do some reforms.

Recall RamaY's post about the three Indias:2G-India run by Gandhi Family, Babu-India that keeps the system going and the commons-India of the masses who bear the brunt of the scams of the first and second India. The first India does the major scams with second India taking some rotis while the tawa is garam (ISRO scam etc).

AH had ridden wave of protests of the third India and hence the first India(INC) jumped on the bandwagon and commanded the second India to do some reforms.

BTW, I have this suspicion that a section of second India was feeding the movement to curb the appetite of first India. Note how many retired ababus were supporting Anna Hazare.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 11 Apr 2011 20:36

partha wrote: Sachinji, it is actually a gem. Because that is the sad truth unfortunately.

I disagree. That is a "justification" (similar to IA or GoI are never ready/prepared to take over PoK) to one's inaction. Not truth.

partha · Post by **partha** » 11 Apr 2011 20:51

RamaY wrote:
partha wrote: Sachinji, it is actually a gem. Because that is the sad truth unfortunately.
I disagree. That is a "justification" (similar to IA or GoI are never ready/prepared to take over PoK) to one's inaction. Not truth.

I was referring to

Kumaraswamy, speaking to reporters here on Sunday, said that in the present political scenario, no one can organise a political party or win elections without being involved in corruption. "If anybody speaks about non-corrupt system, it will not be truth," he said.

and not the Gandhi statement. The above statement is the reality. Let's accept it. Even Anna Hazare has pointed it out.

vera_k · Post by **vera_k** » 11 Apr 2011 21:20

ramana wrote:Recall RamaY's post about the three Indias:2G-India run by Gandhi Family, Babu-India that keeps the system going and the commons-India of the masses who bear the brunt of the scams of the first and second India. The first India does the major scams with second India taking some rotis while the tawa is garam (ISRO scam etc).

Isn't this just a round about way of saying that governments are not seen to be accountable to the people?

Hazare has has been asking for decentralisation, similar to the J&K azaadi wallahs demands for autonomy in a way. The highly centralised structure is under strain due to new political identities. The first sign of that was Indira's use of A356, the second one was the move to coalition politics, and this is the third. UPA has been making it worse, since most of the ministers are old-school tending towards greater centralisation (recall Chidambaram's NIA or Sibal's education policies) rather than devolution of powers.

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 11 Apr 2011 21:23

^
Vera_K garu,

Please extrapolate your thoughts on decentralization..

Samay · Post by **Samay** » 11 Apr 2011 22:37

^^Democracy of a country evolves by the time , ours should be exemplary, therefore it becomes necessary that whatever new we do should be standard...like the lokpalm bill should be at par with that of scandinavian countries

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 11 Apr 2011 23:39

Can some one profile the committee members? What are their achievements? Are they clean to cast the first stone?

RamaY · Post by **RamaY** » 12 Apr 2011 00:19

Lokpal Committee member 1 :Justice N Santosh Hegde

Profile:
Born on 16 June, 1940, at Nitte Village of Karkala Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District, Justice Santosh Hegde did his Law Degree from Government Law College, Bangalore, (Presently University Law College, Bangalore). After completing his graduation in law, he Joined the Bar in January 1966. Justice Hegde was appointed as the Advocate General of Karnataka in February 1984 and continued till 1988.

Justice Santosh Hegde was appointed as Additional Solicitor General of India in November 1989 and held the office for 11months and he was the first person to be so appointed from Karnataka. In November 1998, he was appointed as Solicitor General of India, and incidentally, he is the only person to be so appointed from Karnataka so far.

After retirement from the Supreme Court in June 2005, , Justice Hegde was appointed as Chairperson, Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi on 6.7.2005 and functioned in that position till 2 {+n} {+d} August 2006. Husice Santosh Hegde was appointed as Lokayukta of Karnataka State from 3 {+r} {+d} August 2006 for a 5 year term.

Justice Santosh Hegde was conferred Honorary Doctorate of Law by the University of Mangalore in February 2005; by the Karnataka State Open University Mysore on 6 {+t} {+h} March, 2009 and by Tumkur University on 3 {+r} {+d} March 2010.

April 6, 2011:

Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N. Santosh Hegde has expressed his reservations over activist Anna Hazare's decision to fast until the Union government passes the Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizens' ombudsman Bill).

Mr. Hegde, who, along with Mr. Hazare and others, helped draft the Bill, said: “I wish he [Hazare] had waited for some time.”

“The committee will place its findings before the government. The government should be given at least a fortnight to decide before we react,” Mr. Hegde said.

Responding to claims that the federation of activists and citizens, which drafted the Bill, was a divided house, Mr. Hegde said there was bound to be diversity in opinion when so many parties were involved.

He confirmed that he had reservations about some of the clauses in the draft. However, the draft was evolved after a thoroughly democratic process. {This is the trap Sri AH must watch for}

Other News:

July4, 2010 - Chief-Justice N Santhosh Hegde with draws resignation

"I withdraw my resignation letter as Lokayukta in response to several requests to continue in the post from all over the country, including senior BJP leader L.K. Advani, BJP president Nitin Gadkari, state Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and others," Hegde told reporters at his residence at an impromptu briefing on Saturday.

His announcement came minutes after Gadkari and Yeddyurappa called on him at his residence.

June26, 2010 - Chidambaram fails to move justice Santosh Hegde

April2, 2011 - Lokayukta to help central panel probe illegal mining

Dates fixed.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 12 Apr 2011 02:06

Sandhya Jain in Pioneer

LINK

It's a civilian coup d'état

April 12, 2011 1:55:47 AM

Sandhya Jain

The inclusion of ‘civil society' representatives in the drafting committee of the Lok Pal Bill raises several discomfiting questions. Where are we headed as a nation?

Since RTI campaigner Arvind Kejriwal was micro-managing Anna Hazare’s drive for a Lok Pal Bill conforming to one drafted by select activists claiming to represent civil society, and as this Bill will yield an institutional structure giving sweeping powers to a certain ideological clique, it may be in order to demand accountability from activists associated with this Lok Pal movement.

Readers may recall that under electoral reforms made by our defamed politicians, candidates for public office have to declare all assets and monies held by them, their spouses, and minor children, before the Election Commission at the time of filing nominations. Bureaucrats make declarations to relevant authorities at the Centre and in the States.

As the Lok Pal Bill activists derive their clout from involvement with the Right to Information legislation, this writer hereby submits an open RTI application on behalf of the nation. We demand that all prominent persons supporting civil (read a chosen faction) participation in drafting a new Lok Pal Bill, make full disclosure of all personal assets and monies held by them, their spouses and minor children.

Disclosures must cover assets and monies of NGOs they run directly or are associated with, complete with details of projects, funding and utilisation, diversification of funds (if any). The institutional revelations must extend to trustees / board members of these NGOs, to reveal links with current or retired civil servants and / or politicians. And since prominent NGOs tend to corner a disproportionate share of Government funding, they should henceforth submit to the scrutiny of the Comptroller and Auditor-General.

As for Anna Hazare, he has repeatedly shifted the goalposts of his agitation — from civil society participation in drafting a ‘Jan Lok Pal Bill’ jointly with Government, to membership of the joint committee, to naming its leadership. In his haste to achieve results, Anna Hazare repeatedly invoked Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the National Advisory Council, and urged her to make the Prime Minister concede on chairmanship of the draft committee and notification.

This forced Ms Gandhi to come forward and urge him to end his fast, with diplomatically worded assurances. Her foray into the domain of the executive and the legislature discomfited even Congress stalwarts, not to mention outfits like the Samajwadi Party, which questioned the creation of legal structures not derived from Parliament, and entrusting power to unelected crusaders with unknown agendas and ample funds to whip up moderate street participation.

The Hazare saga has ended; but the real fate of the draft and legislation lies ahead because what was attempted was a palace coup to destabilise Mr Manmohan Singh. It was a calibrated urban relay-revolution tapping into the Facebook-Twitter crowd’s quest for a ‘worthy cause’ to espouse, with prime time TV playing ball with the patrons of the draft. But there are limits to the attention span of Twitterwallahs, and as IPL 4 grabbed eyeballs on April 8, the Hazare camp began cracking under pressure as many owed their prestige to Government patronage and could not afford scrutiny; a compromise was quickly sewn up to retreat from Jantar Mantar.

The spectre of a civilian coup d'état becomes clear as one peruses the draft of the ‘Jan Lok Pal Bill’ which seeks to subsume the Central Vigilance Commission so that political leaders and officials come under its ambit, as also the Judiciary. This Lok Pal will have police powers to file FIRs, chargesheet the accused, and file cases. It will have judicial power to conduct judicial hearings, send people to jail, and seize private property.

The Prime Minister’s Office would fall in its ambit, something all Governments have resisted, even though Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee was personally willing to be covered by the Lok Pal, and the present Prime Minister, Mr Manmohan Singh, has nothing to fear from it. The issue, obviously, is about the prestige of the office, not the person manning the post. Worse, this ‘Jan Lok Pal Bill’ seeks to make decisions of the Lok Pal and State Lokayuktas binding and final. These include powers to dismiss corrupt officials, including judges and politicians.

It does not take a rocket scientist to see that as there is an overlap in membership of the ‘Jan Lok Pal’ draftees and Ms Sonia Gandhi’s publicly-funded National Advisory Council, both the draft Bill and the agitation to inflict it upon the nation draw strength from the NAC.

The draft Bill is nothing more than an Uber Ordinance trying to force Parliament to enact it into an Uber Law in order to make the NAC the de jure power of the nation. With such totalitarian powers at its command — equivalent to wielding Emergency-style powers without invoking an Emergency and without needing parliamentary endorsement for any action — Ms Sonia Gandhi and her coterie will elevate themselves into the ranks of awesome leaders.

One admires the breathtaking audacity. The only institution they dared not touch (in the first instance) is the Armed Forces. One shudders to think of our fate should they ever acquire powers to meddle with national security.

Since this proposed Hyper Government of NGO-Kings must be selected and validated by a hyper-elite club, the proposed selection committee inter alia includes: The chairpersons of both Houses of Parliament; two senior-most judges of Supreme Court; two senior-most Chief Justices of High Courts; chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission; Comptroller and Auditor-General of India; Chief Election Commissioner; Bharat Ratna award winners (a ruse to include foreign nationals like Amartya Sen who managed the mysterious academic credentials of Mr Rahul Gandhi); all Nobel Laureates of Indian origin (possibly the Chemistry laureate with an American wife); and the last two Magsaysay Award winners of Indian origin (whose contributions to society were hardly known till they received the stamp of approval from the Rockefeller Foundation).

Interestingly, the claim that the ‘Jan Lok Pal’ draft compares with the powers of the Hong Kong ombudsman is untrue. The Hong Kong ombudsman has no powers of prosecution; he merely submits a report to the Chief Executive; and is appointed by politicians. Actually, no country in the world permits civil society nominees to initiate prosecution against citizens, and judge and punish them. It decapitates the constitutional separation of powers. Ms Sonia Gandhi must explain why she wants such powers for a band of moral pretenders owing allegiance to her.

They want to instituionalise the family system before it gets voted out.

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 12 Apr 2011 02:26

^^^^^ Bharat Ratna award winners (a ruse to include foreign nationals like Amartya Sen who managed the mysterious academic credentials of Mr Rahul Gandhi);

ManjaM · Post by **ManjaM** » 12 Apr 2011 02:54

Sushupti wrote:
The truth is simple and direct. Anna Hazare has replaced Baba Ramdev as the central figure in the nation’s war against corruption in exactly the same way that Gandhi replaced Tilak and Aurobindo within the Indian National Congress; and for the exact same reasons: no people’s movement in Hindu bhumi will be allowed to be led by a conscious Hindu, no campaign in this country will be allowed to wear a Hindu face;
:
:
:

I dont understand how Anna Hazare fasting for Lokpal bill has blunted the activism of Baba Ramdev. Baba wasnt receiving any media support anyway, so what impact does this fasting have on his activities. For all we know, he will continue doing what he was doing (without media support) and gathering record crowds at his meetings.

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 12 Apr 2011 02:57

my views on the agitation of Anna establishment may not like.

http://rlindia.blogspot.com/2011/04/tamasha-on-tv.html

nkumar · Post by **nkumar** » 12 Apr 2011 02:58

Sushupti wrote:
:
Baba Ramdev's campaign against corruption, which was seen as attacking the Congress and its imported President, had an explosive beginning on February 27 at Ramlila grounds in Delhi with a blood-curdling mammoth gathering of around two lakh people; but all major English newspapers and English TV news channels, in stark contrast to their contrived hysteria over Anna Hazare's campaign, either blacked out entirely or made only passing reference to the start of what would soon become Baba Ramdev's cataclysmic campaign against corruption in public life.

Baba Ramdev followed Delhi with Goa, Chennai, and Bangalore, and at every stop the movement against corruption gathered unstoppable momentum. Sonia Gandhi and her handlers in the Generic Church had to move fast to stop the Ramdev juggernaut and contain the damage. ......
http://www.vijayvaani.com/FrmPublicDisp ... px?id=1722

This just shows the power of English TV channels. Often on BRF and elsewhere, I see folks pointing to very limited reach of English media, but it is they who set the agenda. Ramdev drew huge crowds - 2 lakh people in comparison to few thousand, at the most, by Anna Hazare. But the latter had sympathetic media on its side. The problem I see is that most English news channels are based in Delhi and they have a disproportionate influence on GoI. GoI only responds to public pressure and nothing else.

I see no solution but to have to nationalist English news channel couched in DCHness based in Dilli. Aastha type channels can only have limited effect. So, I disagree with folks who say don't worry about English media because they have limited reach. They may but they command vast influence. That's the sad reality.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 12 Apr 2011 04:03

X-posting

Hari Seldon wrote:Awrite, so a NaMo open letter (to Anna saheb, no less) gets publicized on IBN live? Yup, something must be cooking only. Read and decide for yourself....

@ibnlive: Narendra Modi's open letter to Anna Hazare http://t.in.com/1dvy

Respected Annaji,

On the eighth day of fasting in the Navratri I am inspired to write to you early at 5 O'clock in the morning.

When you were sitting at fast in Delhi during that period, I too was fasting on the occasion of Navratri, the period that symbolizes the embodiment of Divine Shakti. I was pleased indeed that by the grace of Maa Jagadamba I happened to be a co-traveller in your crusade albeit indirectly.

Observing the Navratri fast and being busy in election campaigning, I was fortunate to have the darshan of Mother Kamakshi in Assam. Your fasting was in progress and naturally I did pray to Kamakshidevi about your health and I feel certain that a divine power has been kind enough to bestow her blessings on you.
Hmmm. Quote a lot of Yindoo kaffir references and all. Am sure IBN calculates this will putoff our uber-modernist-psecs only. NaMo also seems to have made a calculated gambit to use the power of local culture, beliefs and faith inherent in mainstream India. Much like MKG's use of bhajans and pujas to rouse the aam aadmi to political action decades ago.

Another angle could be that NaMo is sticking it up to the psecs by being open, nay daring even, in the expression of his personal faith. Take the bull by its horns type. And why not. Stick it to them, NaMo! And didn't this strato make its way into psec media? Am sure psecs will love to gather and laugh at this display of superstition or some such. Good that their voting power isn;t too high. The folk who do vote would likely empathize with NaMo on this one perhaps, who knows?

Yesterday I was back from Kerala campaign to Gandhinagar at 2 am.

And it was yesterday that I got the encouraging news of your expressing kind words for Gujarat and me.

I am fortunate and grateful to get your blessings.

Respected Annaji, my respect for you is decades old. Before I entered politics I was full time RSS pracharak. At that time national leaders of the RSS who came to attend our meetings invariably discussed your rural development activities so that it could be emulated. It has tremendous impact on me. In the past I also had the good fortune of meeting you.

I and my state of Gujarat are indebted to you for the courage and conviction you showed in saying good words for me and my state. In this show of courage you exhibited commitment to truth and a soldier-like conviction. And because of this your opinion has been universally accepted.

I request you to also bless me that your praise will not make be complacent and commit mistakes.

Your blessings have given me the strength to do what is right and what is good. At the same time my responsibility has also become more. Because of your statement crores of youth would now be having great expectations and therefore even a small mistake of mine will disappoint them. Therefore I have to remain vigilant and I seek your blessings for the same.

Respected Annaji, in this delicate moment, I should say that I come from a simple family and am a common man too. In my family no one is even distantly connected to politics or remains close to power; I do not have illusions that I am a perfect individual. Like a common man I too have my own limitations; good and bad qualities.

I pray that I am always blessed by Mother Jagadamba so that bad qualities do not take possession of me. Always thinking of doing good to Gujarat, I would devote myself to the progress of Gujarat and therefore like to wipe out the tears from the face of the poor. For doing all this I pray that I am never short of your blessings, and this is my humble request.

Respected Annaji, you are a Gandhian and a soldier. Yesterday during election campaign in Kerala when I heard about your blessings for me and my state I feared that you will be subjected to vilification. A certain group inimical to -Gujarat will not let go this opportunity to malign your love, sacrifice, penance and commitment to truth. They will try to tarnish your name because you spoke well of me and my state.

As bad luck would have it this has come true. Once again this inimical forces have come to the fore. On the occasion of Navratri I pray to Maa Jagadamba that no one sullies your fair name.

You will be aware that whosoever talks good of Gujarat he or she will be subjected to the vilification campaign.

In the past a senior Muslim parliamentarian from Canoor constituency hailing from the Communist Party Shri P Abdulla Kutty was ostracized from the party following his praising of Gujarat's development.

The superstar of this century Shri Amitabh Bachchan when he worked free for Gujarat Tourism was also attacked by this same group of inimical forces. They spread falsehoods against Bachchan so as to snap his old ties with Gujarat. At a public function in Mumbai where Bachchan was invited this group had stopped him from entering.

Also a campaign was let loose to malign the leading Gandhian of Gujarat Shri Gunavant Shah who is speaking for the atma-gaurav of Gujarat.

Maulana Ghulam Vastanavi of Gujarat who was elected as head of the Darul Uloom of Deoband was also subjected to vilification campaign when he praised the development of Gujarat. He had publicly said that Gujarat is surging ahead on the road of fast paced development, and without any religious discrimination everybody was getting the fruits of development. Soon he was silenced by undue harassment by the same forces.

Recently, Major General IS Sinha (sic) of Golden Katara division of Indian Army when he praised the development of Gujarat he too was beleaguered by the same forces and there was even a demand for disciplinary action against the major general.

These are only a few examples. But Gujarat's real developmental journey is an anathema to this group bent upon heaping calumny on my state. Whenever the name of Gujarat is mentioned these forces immediately swing into action to spread canards and falsehoods.

Respected Annaji, Gujarat's six crore people do not want that, the same group should sadden you.

I am still afraid that, this group will put you in trouble. May God give you strength.

I humbly bow to the sacrifices and penances you have made for the country. Let God bless you with supreme health so that many like me would be beneficiary of your guidance. This is my heartfelt prayer.

Yours

(Narendra Modi)
Re the bolded part, bravo. Tell me it ain't true at all. Hah.

sugriva · Post by **sugriva** » 12 Apr 2011 07:40

Sushupti wrote:^^^^^ Bharat Ratna award winners (a ruse to include foreign nationals like Amartya Sen who managed the mysterious academic credentials of Mr Rahul Gandhi);

FYI, Amartya Sen still retains his Indian passport.

sum · Post by **sum** » 12 Apr 2011 08:57

As expected, Secular junta riled up at Anna for even daring to praise "he who should not be praised" :

Modi praise sparks angry outburst

Anna Hazare’s reported statement praising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's developmental agenda has earned him a barrage of protests from his own supporters, and even demands that he retract his words.

Several prominent persons who had joined him during his four-day hunger-strike in support of his demand for a ‘Lokpal Bill’ have said that the campaign would be tainted if he did not take his words of praise back.

Hazare had said on Sunday that politicians should emulate the developmental models under Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi. His praise of Modi upset many activisits, particularly in Gujarat. Though he had clarified that he had only praised the development and not endorsed communal politics, the activisits want him to retract.

Noted dancer Mallika Sarabhai, signatory to the Jan Lok Pal Bill, on Monday came down heavily on Hazare’s statement. She e-mailed Hazare urging him to retract it. Her mail said: “We are deeply shocked by your endorsement of Modi’s rural development. There has been little or no rural development in the state. In fact gauchar lands and irrigated farmlands have been stealthily taken by the government and sold off at ridiculous prices to a small club of industrialists. There has been no Lokayukta in Gujarat for nearly seven years so hundreds of complaints against corruption are lying unheard.”

Sadly, since there is nothing to hold back Modi against, invoke a Lokayukta not being selected as a point against the CM when Anna praised him for rural development...

And btw, why wasnt the Lokayukta appointed for so long? Because the "secular opposition" wanted someone answerable to high command:
Congress fears appointment of Lokayukta in Gujarat: Vyas

He blamed the Congress for this situation and said ''on one hand, the Congress is creating all kinds of hurdles by adopting an absolutely intransigent approach as well making misleading representations before Governor Kamla Beniwal because of which the post of Lokayukta has remained vacant." "On the other hand, the Congress is trying to create a picture that the government is not interested in filling up the vacant post of Lokayukta. The people of Gujarat and the country should take note of the dual policy of the Congress and should also see, in proper perspective, the hypocrisy of the Congress," he added.

The person recommended for Lokayukta was rejected by INC and was later put into a big post in Maharashtra by INC itself!!

Sri · Post by **Sri** » 12 Apr 2011 10:08

I agree with the limited approach of English Media, Hence have decided to scan Hindi Media for News rather than english media that is well covered in BRF.

Report on Modi's letter to Anna

Pranav · Post by **Pranav** » 12 Apr 2011 10:49

Lokpal Bill: Cong dubs Anna's videography demand as idiotic - http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story ... 34999.html

Not surprising. Aam Janata are idiots as far as elitemen are concerned.

abhischekcc · Post by **abhischekcc** » 12 Apr 2011 18:55

ManjaM wrote:
I dont understand how Anna Hazare fasting for Lokpal bill has blunted the activism of Baba Ramdev. Baba wasnt receiving any media support anyway, so what impact does this fasting have on his activities. For all we know, he will continue doing what he was doing (without media support) and gathering record crowds at his meetings.

Baba Ramdev was focused on bringing back all the money looted from India and deposited outside. This was totally against Sonia Gandhi's interests. That is why this Hazare campaign was launched to create the extra constitutional post of Lokpal, which will neither have democratic credentials nor judicial oversight. It is a campaign directed completely by deracinated, convent/public school educated Indians for subduing the will of the people of India.

It will turn out to be a farce.

They have used Anna Hazare to create mass support.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 13 Apr 2011 02:08

Newsinsight's NSV writes:

Anna All the way!

Anna all the way
The UPA will perish if it confronts the new Mahatma, says N.V.Subramanian.

8 April 2011: Attempts to undermine Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement, in which a section of the media unfortunately has participated, will fail. There are those in government who believe IPL will distract youngsters from the Anna movement. They will be proved as wrong as they flunked in their attempt to buoy up a sinking Manmohan Singh by nesting an Indo-Pak summit in the cricket World Cup semifinal in Mohali.

The point is that neither the ruling regime nor the principal opposition party, the BJP, quite recognizes the fundamental manner in which Anna has changed the anti-corruption debate. In all fairness, the BJP and CPI-M have been spearheading anti-corruption and anti-price-rise campaigns against the insensitive UPA government.

But at least the BJP's anti-corruption drive has been hindered by differences in the top party leadership (with Arun Jaitley pressing for an all-out attack and Sushma Swaraj preferring to pull her punches for some reason) and by the spectacle of B.S.Yedurappa clinging to office despite growing charges of wrongdoing. The CPI-M leadership, to its credit, is not compromised.

The brilliance about the Anna Hazare campaign, on the other hand, is that he brings no baggage. If anything, a cursory inspection of his past inspires nothing but respect.

In war (and Anna fought in 1965) to be the sole survivor of a unit (as he was) may leave lifelong scars. Out of those scars came his single-minded dedication to the nation and his fierce impersonal resolve.

It requires extraordinary will and capacity of self-sacrifice to go on a fast unto death for a national cause, and those are the only reasons why his anti-corruption campaign has spread like wildfire throughout India and engulfed the internet.

It is laughable to think that a mere IPL will destroy his campaign.

Associating with his campaign brings no costs comparable to, say, joining a BJP or CPI-M agitation against corruption. Which is why everyone is lining up to be on Anna's side, from Adi Godrej to Amitabh Bachchan to lesser stars. And ordinary folks are joining him in thousands every day. This writer went to pay his respects yesterday, and it was a most uplifting experience in Jantar Mantar.

The most fundamental way in which Anna Hazare's anti-corruption crusade is different is that it has unnerved the political class as a whole, with the rudest comments against him coming from the Congress party (entirely expected), the Samajwadi Party, and the government's cheerleaders in the press.

Anna's vision of a Jan Lok Pal threatens the "elected supremacy" that any ruling dispensation has come to enjoy for the five years of its term, with no constitutionally-provided recall vote. The club of the so-called "elected" is a very select club. You and I cannot join it because we do not have money- or muscle-power and, importantly, do not belong to a political dynasty.

And who is the so-called elected MP or MLA? The one who wins a minority of votes in a first-past-the-post system, which itself he has previously subverted to the utmost of his capacity.

Some "elected representatives" like M.K.Alagiri are notorious subverters. The Wikileaks say (and this was reported previously) that his men packed cash into morning newspapers which the recipients were in no position to refuse/ return and therefore voted for him or his party candidate out of a bad conscience. This same Alagiri is on the UPA government's GoM to draft a new Lok Pal bill.

Can anything be more scandalous?

On behalf of these alleged "elected representatives", Anna Hazare is being attacked. Newspaper articles are appearing that he is out to subvert democracy. What democracy, pray?

Despite Supreme Court observations, the government won't debar criminals from participating in elections. The independence of the Election Commission is compromised with the appointment of ruling-party favourites as ECs, one of who outrageously became (and remains) Central minister upon retirement.

In appointments to the Supreme Court, the government tries to extract its pound of flesh. Justice H.L.Gokhale was superseded seven times between 2007 and 2010 before being elevated to the Supreme Court. Why? The emasculation of the CBI/ Enforcement Directorate continues apace. And nothing surpasses the shocking appointment of P.J.Thomas as CVC.

When the ruling UPA single-mindedly destroys democratic institutions, and makes corruption systemic (2G, Antrix-Devas, Adarsh, Swiss black money, IPL, Hasan Ali, CVC, Ottavio Quattrocchi...), what democracy remains for Anna Hazare to imperil?

Clearly, the time is past for the overlordship of the corrupt ruling classes. Anna Hazare has unleashed forces that will be difficult to contain if the UPA does not concede his demands. It is completely possible to accept his demands without creating a constitutional crisis (as some are crying wolf), provided there is will and good intentions.

The only way forward is to go with Anna Hazare.

The UPA government will collapse if it adopts a course to counter/ confront him.

All of India is with Anna Hazare.

I didn't know he was veteran of 1965 war. Lets see how it turns out.

Yagnasri · Post by **Yagnasri** » 13 Apr 2011 05:24

http://rlindia.blogspot.com/2011/04/tac ... ption.html

Tackling Corruption

Part I – Political reforms.

For the last couple of weeks we are all treated to a great TV show with many popular features of Gandhian Ideal, Communist and Gora funded NGO nautaki, and endless politician bashing. Since IPL started the entire show got shifted non prime time slot.

There is no doubt Corruption is a very serious issue and needed to be immediately otherwise we will be jumping from License permit kota Raj to Crony Capitalism. ( I think we are already there and soon it will be too late to reverse the condition.) We need to looking to the reasons for the present state of affairs.

Many will agree that the manner in which the elections in India conducted is the root of the corruption. There are many structural changes which are needed to be implemented. First we need to ensure or even enforce wider participation in the electoral process. Voting shall me made compulsory.

Restrictions against the public servants at least people working in PSU’s and certain sections of the government servants like teachers, doctors etc shall be removed. Most of the educated class which is presently forced to keep out of politics will then have an opportunity to participate in the elections.

All public servants (may be except Army, police, Judges Etc) should be allowed to be political party members. We are no longer having colonial rule and there is no reason why merely because a person is a public servant he/she should not participate in political activity.

Internal party democracy shall be enforced by law. All party positions from village level to national level shall be elected by common party members in yearly direct elections. Election commission shall supervise and conduct and these elections. Candidates for MLA and MP seats shall be elected by the local party members and not nominated as now.

There shall be open election of the legislature party leaders and CM/PM once elected shall be only be removed by constructive majority. Sitting MLA’s MP’s shall be given automatic right to contest elections on their party tickets so that they are free from party bosses.

Time also has come to think if we can elect CM/PM directly so that they can have affixed tenure and will not be exposed to blackmailing as now. Local body elections and their powers are now left to state governments which are not at all allowing their functioning. There shall not be any indirect elections or nominated posts like Governors, Rajya Sabha Members and even these people shall be elected directly by people.

Entire constitutional scheme relating to the local body elections, administration, and powers is to be revisited. All the local governments shall have proper periodical elections under the central election commission. Powers of the local governments shall be fixed and shall not be interfered with.

Restrictions on family members participating in elections, limited terms, age restrictions etc are also some of the methods which will naturally allow vide participation in the political process.

Many of the above like internal party democracy, local governance etc are there in all most all the democracies of the world today. There is no reason why we can not adopt the same here.

Public financing of the elections, paying salaries to the elected political party workers at certain from public funds are some of the steps that will also help reduce corruption. Once the political parties are made more structured as above this should not be a problem to put in place.

More to Come.

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 13 Apr 2011 18:07

http://blogs.outlookindia.com/default.a ... inpostname

TJS George in his, excellent as ever, weekly column:

The fact is that people are angry. Not only because gargantuan corruption has devoured the country; they are angry because the corrupt seem to flourish and the Government shows no sign of sincerity in combating the evil. A few officials of the Commonwealth Games have been arrested, but someone is protecting Suresh Kalmadi. Some officials who helped pilots get fake fitness certificates have been arrested, but who is protecting the top guns? Who is keeping former Chief Justice Balakrishnan in the Human Rights Commission? Who forced the CBI to mess up Quattrochi's court cases and to release his London funds?

Above all, why is Sharad Pawar still strutting about like Mephistopheles buying up other people's souls? Despite those land scams in Maharashtra, the duplicate World Cup, the rotting foodgrains and the endosulfan victims, he was one of the ministers handpicked to oversee the anti-corruption bill.

...
Will the evil forces that compromised other instrumentalities like CBI and CVC subvert the new act as well? Will the Lok Pal be able to smoke out every Mephistopheles in the system and hold him to account? A few kings of corruption must go to jail, only then will the world know that we have a system that does not condone the plundering of public money

http://tjsgeorge.blogspot.com/2011/04/p ... or-go.html

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 972125.cms

Gandhian Anna Hazare on Wednesday cautioned the people against powers working to divide the anti-graft movement and appealed for unity in the fight against corruption.

In a letter to the countrymen, the 73-year-old activist said the people need to understand their strategy and further strengthen our fight against corruption.

"I thank you all for your support, but would like to warn you against the powers working to divide us especially after the success of our movement," he said in his one-page letter.

Hazare said that "if our attention is diverted to misinformation and propaganda being spread by these powers, it will take more time and energy to complete this long journey".

"My fast-unto-death was not aimed against any government or person but was people's voice against corruption. I appeal to people to stay united and ignore any kind of rumours," he added.

Sushupti · Post by **Sushupti** » 14 Apr 2011 08:07

Why I didn’t join Anna Hazare
Javed Anand

Haven’t we lived through two nationwide anti-corruption movements before, the JP movement in the early ’70s, the V.P. Singh movement in the late ’80s? Neither of them succeeded in rooting out corruption. But both, however innocently and unwittingly, contributed to the poisoning of national politics. JP’s movement and the Janata government that followed gave respectability to Hindu communalism. The V.P. Singh government, opportunistically supported by the BJP from the outside, paved the way for the meteoric rise of the BJP — from two seats in the Lok Sabha in 1984 to 79 in 1989 — which in turn laid the foundation for the first ever Hindutva-led government in New Delhi. No one in his right mind would accuse JP or V.P. Singh of being communal. I admired and identified with the movements they led. But do ponder the outcome of their movements.
:
:
Did Anna feel any discomfort on seeing Baba Ramdev descend on Jantar Mantar in the company of Ram Madhav of the RSS? If he did, why did he not speak his mind?

:
:
So we know now that in your post-corrupt utopia, we should look forward to leaders like Narendra Modi.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/why-i ... e/775806/1

Sri sitaram Goel comes true again.

disha · Post by **disha** » 14 Apr 2011 09:33

Sushupti wrote:
Why I didn’t join Anna Hazare
Javed Anand
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/why-i ... e/775806/1

[/quote]

Looks like Javed Anand does not believe in true democracy. Another paid piper of CONgrez?

1. Just because anti-corruption movements fail (why?) does not mean one should sit quiet.
2. What is wrong with Narendra Modi? And whatever may be wrong, does that mean 2G/Quottrochi/CWG/Devas/Lavasya is right?

sanjeevpunj · Post by **sanjeevpunj** » 14 Apr 2011 16:32

It is and has always been and should be the duty of a democratic nation to provide all essentials for existence - roti,kapda,makaan (food,clothing and Shelter).Every death that occurs due to lack of these essentials is on the head of the government, and no government can squirm out of this responsibility.People vote a government in power just to ensure they get these essentials.
The starvation deaths of farmers, or other citizens,however remotely unconnected they may seem,are due to a directly a failure of the state.It is on the issues a governance that a country can fail and things can escalate to a greater chaos as we have seen in the middle east.If India doesn't get its act together pronto, we can expect only much worse to come.Maoists are considered a menace, but they are a natural result of bad governance in the grass root level and all grass root level workers of political parties are to blame for this, and their sympathisers too are to blame for this.It cannot be justified, that while millions starve or live in abject poverty, a few hundreds revel in the sheer distasteful glory of mansions that boast uninterrupted power supplies, nuclear bunkers and what not.Those who grew rich, grew rich because others remained poor.Global wealth is just barely enough for equal sharing by all, and the idea of "becoming very rich" itself is a diseased
outlook justified by narrow minds as a means to "do something for uplifting the poor later on" on a day that never comes.All rich politicians forget the poor, the grassroot workers, the junta, the aam aadmi, the public.
I will not raise individual cases to highlight what is happening, you read them everywhere in the news, I just want to say that enough is enough,wealth stolen from the poor must be equally distributed amongst the rich, accounts in Swiss Banks should be frozen and then through public consensus it should be decided how best to utilise those funds.These fortunes change hands during elections.It is a vicious cycle wherein one rich politician supports another of an opposite party to ensure his wealth remains with him even after he loses the elections.India is surely more transparent a democracy than America, but it has no teeth. There are very weak anti-corruption laws if any, and sadly many people give up fighting corruption at a very early stage, and begin to adopt wrong and short-cut means to become wealthy, thus add themselves to the corrupt class.The youth can and will change all this, but there are black sheep there too, youth representing rich families that have supressed the rise of transparency.

Anna Hazare is joining the ranks of much hated anti-corruption lobby that has a handful of people like Modi in it.Let there be unity amongst those who fight against this disease.Dynasties that have remained rich since independence should shudder in discomfort if they are not willing to share their wealth.Eventually everything will be flattened to a square flat football field and everyone will have a field day.Freedom just waits around the corners.

It should also be decided by consensus how much maximum wealth any individual should possess. This should become a law of the future, and anyone holding more than that must hand it over to the government which should then distribute it.Enforcement would be a key task for future governments once they become free of corruption.At this time there is lack of enforcement, lack of will to end corruption,lack of vision on how to eradicate poverty,and lack ot enthusiasm to lead a honest, uncorrupted life.All this must change.

The Lokpal bill is just the first step in the right direction,and toterring as it may seem,it has potential, only if it is safeguarded from becoming obsolete, by earnest,honest and uncorrupted politicians.How many stand up to that yardstick is still to be seen.

Chinmayanand · Post by **Chinmayanand** » 14 Apr 2011 18:15

Political forces against anti-corruption movement: Hazare

"Some political and criminal forces are afraid of recent awakening and huge support of the common man to the Jan Lokpal Bill. They are trying to create confusion and defame the movement to defuse the emerging people's movement for curbing corruption," Hazare told PTI from Ralegan Siddhi village, 40 kms away from here.

On criticism for reported remarks against political leaders, the social activist said that he never said that all politicians in India are corrupt.

"There are very few exceptions at all levels. But those exceptions can be honoured only if they too raise their voice against known corruption in their close circles. Keeping mum on issues related to corruption is also silent support to corruption and such leaders who fall in that category are actually of no use for nation," he said.

ShauryaT · Post by **ShauryaT** » 15 Apr 2011 07:00

Alexis de Tocqueville pointed out over two centuries ago that liberty and democracy are not the same. Indeed, there is sufficient evidence over the centuries to show that democracy can be the enemy of liberty. India’s government is elected by the people. But being popularly elected as a democratic government does not mean that it cannot also be a tyranny and deny the people freedom. The subjugation of the population can be as real in a democracy as in a despotic rule.
Indians have had only democracy for a long time. Indians need liberty as well. Only then does India have the possibility of becoming a rich and developed nation.

Is not corruption a major impediment to liberty?
Link

sum · Post by **sum** » 15 Apr 2011 08:45

New symbol for Hazare’s movement

The tricolour will replace the Bharat Mata image that was in the background set-up of the stage erected at Jantar Mantar on which Hazare was lying on a fast-unto-death for the Jan Lokpal Bill.

The background set-up had an image of Bharat Mata encircled by the map of India. Now the map will encircle Tiranga.

According to sources, the movement leaders decided to give a secular character to the logo as some civil society members were uneasy on displaying an image which is identified as a Hindu religious symbol.

Bharat Mata is considered to be an incarnation of Devi Durga. “The issue was raised in the strategic meeting held after Hazare ended his fast. Women activists like Kavita Krishnan, Nandini Ojha and others raised the issue and requested the movement leaders to replace the image. It did not take long for the leaders to agree to replace the image,” said sources.

Patriotic colour

Activists said that the Bharat Mata image was meant to give a patriotic colour to the anti-corruption movement. The image was in no way associated with any communal agenda.

Yipee....secularism has triumphed finally!!!!

Now, everyone can be assured of the "secular" nature of the protests since the ugly-communal Bharat mata image( which is a anti-minority Durga mata) is now replaced by "secular" Tiranga.

(Btw, wont the saffron colour in the tiranga make even the new symbol "communal"?)

Vikas · Post by **Vikas** » 15 Apr 2011 10:06

^ and one more bites the dust. Who is uncomfortable with 'Bharat Mata'. Thats why I prefered Swami Ramdev to lead such agitations to put color of I India in these protests.
And the one who was so steadfast in battle against corruption immediately understood the angst of the so called civil polity and the result..tada....

"It did not take long for the leaders to agree to replace the image".

What is next..ban on "Bharat Mata ki Jai" as it is Anti-Non-hindus ?

Pranay · Post by **Pranay** » 15 Apr 2011 18:13

http://outlookindia.com/article.aspx?271389

Removing Misconceptions
Addressing some of the issues and concerns raised by a number of commentators on the provisions in the draft of Jan Lokpal Bill
PRASHANT BHUSHAN

The draft Jan Lokpal bill seeks to create an institution which will be largely independent of those that it seeks to police, and which will have effective powers of investigation and prosecuting all public servants (including ministers, MPs, the bureaucracy, judges etc.) and those others found guilty of corrupting them. Since corruption also involves misconduct and gives rise to grievances, the draft bill also proposes that the Lokpal will supervise the machinery for disciplinary proceedings against government servants (the Vigilance Department) as well as the machinery for redressal of grievances. Thus misconduct by government servants and grievances would also come under an independent authority rather than under the government where it has become ineffective due to conflicts of interest. In addition it has also been proposed that if the Lokpal finds that a contract is being given for corrupt considerations, it can order the stoppage of the contract. It cannot otherwise interfere with government decisions or policy.

It has been said that this will create a supercop with enormous powers and no accountability. There is a misconception that the Lokpal would have judicial powers as well. There is no such thing in the bill. The need of the hour is to have an effective policing body which can investigate and prosecute the high and mighty without interdiction from the very people who need to be prosecuted. Moreover, the bill seeks to make the Lokpal accountable in many ways. Firstly, it is mandated to function transparently so that everything related to its functioning is known to the people (without compromising the investigation itself). Other exemptions from disclosure provided in the RTI Act could also be included. Secondly, the orders of the Lokpal would be subject to Judicial review in the High Courts and the Supreme Court. Lastly, the members of the Lokpal would be removable for misconduct by a 5 member bench of the Supreme Court

.

Arya Sumantra · Post by **Arya Sumantra** » 15 Apr 2011 18:32

Pranay wrote:http://outlookindia.com/article.aspx?271389

Removing Misconceptions
Addressing some of the issues and concerns raised by a number of commentators on the provisions in the draft of Jan Lokpal Bill
PRASHANT BHUSHAN

The draft Jan Lokpal bill seeks to create an institution which will be largely independent of those that it seeks to police, and which will have effective powers of investigation and prosecuting all public servants (including ministers, MPs, the bureaucracy, judges etc.) and those others found guilty of corrupting them.

That's where the problem is. There can never be anything completely independent of control. If we do not control something ourselves, outside forces will through puppets put in place just like our media is. And then selectively the potshots will be taken at those who are hindering their interests. When everyone is corrupt the selective aim will be taken on relatively patriotic ones or those hindering the opening up of certain sectors or surrender to their interests.

The only body that is completely independent is one in which nobody has interest.

We think we have found out some law based panacea which is an alternative to human morality! Go on with wishful thinking. Everything works in transition until corrupt find new ways to adjust to the new system.

If at all we go ahead with this, it is better to not have any fixed civilian members but rather a jury selected from a pool for specific case which will be replaced by others on another case. Thus with no fixed civilian reps on committee it should be somewhat difficult for civilian overseers to be compromised easily and develop "contacts" overtime.

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 15 Apr 2011 19:52

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/lokpa ... ersy-98669

Okay folks the drama starts. Bhushans are afterall corrupt bribe-giving/taking lawyers. The shady deals with Mulayam surfaces. These are fellows we have with Anna Hazare's to fix the system. Great goings. By the way Mr.Bushan says the CD is doctored.