By Varun Gandhi, BJP MP
It is unfortunate that a pro-India initiative led by Shri Anna Hazare is being treated with hostility. The refusal of permission for a public demonstration in the capital is indicative of an elected government's readiness to wage war with its own electorate over the Lokpal institution.
Perhaps it needs reminding that the elected are responsible to those who have elected them. Parliamentarians and the government represent the people not rule them. Public policy is required to evolve from public participation and be open to public scrutiny, not be imposed by force and shielded by secrecy.
In a democracy, peaceful protest is not stifled and peaceful protestors are not assaulted or intimidated, legitimate demands that enjoy public support are not ignored , ridiculed and rejected. Is our official approach to our voters more reflective of an autocracy than a democracy?
In the current corruption-ridden climate which indicts the government daily, what is the popular yearning? We want an accountable system. An objective , independent authority vested with the power to examine and punish corruption at every level is one step towards this. It does not challenge democracy, it challenges criminality and strengthens democracy. If the Prime Minister’s post carries the greatest weight, it is only natural that it be subject to the severest scrutiny.
Current institutions like the CBI have been corroded by misuse. We have ceased to be shocked by scams running into 170,000 crores. We see denials and Committees that come and go without offenders being punished or any money being returned to the public coffer.
It is time for change. Today we have the opportunity to create a strong, meaningful institution, or yet another self serving farce. Here we have the Jan Lokpal Bill which seeks accountability at the Centre from the Prime Minister downwards, a uniform set of principles for all the States, and insulates the office from political pulls and pressures. On the other hand, we have the official Lokpal Bill that not only excludes the most powerful from its purview, does not lay down a uniform moral code for the whole country, but also threatens greater action against the accuser than the accused!
Anna Hazare is not just a man, he is a movement, a way towards honesty and accountability, a way towards a clean and prosperous India. To the young people of this nation and to my fellow parliamentarians, I say it is time to stand up and be counted.
If the government does not offer a public place for Shri Anna Hazare's fast, I am proud to offer him my house and official residence as MP and I hope he will avail of the offer.
http://varungandhi.net.in
Perhaps it needs reminding that the elected are responsible to those who have elected them. Parliamentarians and the government represent the people not rule them. Public policy is required to evolve from public participation and be open to public scrutiny, not be imposed by force and shielded by secrecy.
In a democracy, peaceful protest is not stifled and peaceful protestors are not assaulted or intimidated, legitimate demands that enjoy public support are not ignored , ridiculed and rejected. Is our official approach to our voters more reflective of an autocracy than a democracy?
In the current corruption-ridden climate which indicts the government daily, what is the popular yearning? We want an accountable system. An objective , independent authority vested with the power to examine and punish corruption at every level is one step towards this. It does not challenge democracy, it challenges criminality and strengthens democracy. If the Prime Minister’s post carries the greatest weight, it is only natural that it be subject to the severest scrutiny.
Current institutions like the CBI have been corroded by misuse. We have ceased to be shocked by scams running into 170,000 crores. We see denials and Committees that come and go without offenders being punished or any money being returned to the public coffer.
It is time for change. Today we have the opportunity to create a strong, meaningful institution, or yet another self serving farce. Here we have the Jan Lokpal Bill which seeks accountability at the Centre from the Prime Minister downwards, a uniform set of principles for all the States, and insulates the office from political pulls and pressures. On the other hand, we have the official Lokpal Bill that not only excludes the most powerful from its purview, does not lay down a uniform moral code for the whole country, but also threatens greater action against the accuser than the accused!
Anna Hazare is not just a man, he is a movement, a way towards honesty and accountability, a way towards a clean and prosperous India. To the young people of this nation and to my fellow parliamentarians, I say it is time to stand up and be counted.
If the government does not offer a public place for Shri Anna Hazare's fast, I am proud to offer him my house and official residence as MP and I hope he will avail of the offer.
http://varungandhi.net.in
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