Hazare back in action, writes to PM for a strong Lokpal Bill

New Delhi, Jul 19: After a relatively quiet period, Anna Hazare is back in the spotlight again. And this time it is his letter to the Prime Minister that has brought back the nation's focus on the fight against corruption.

In his letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Hazare informed his decision to go on an indefinite fast from August 16 unless the government introduces an effective Lokpal Bill in Parliament in the monsoon session.

He wrote, "The government's draft prepared by the five ministers in the joint drafting committee is a joke played on the nation. The scope of the draft is so confined that it does not address the corruption faced by common man."

Demanding that the civil society's version of the Lokpal Bill be introduced in the parliament, Hazare wrote, "We want our version to be introduced in Parliament. If you send a weak bill, what will you discuss?"

Citing the instances of various scams, Hazare pressed his claims for a stronger Lokpal Bill. He wrote, "Even the scams which came to light in the recent times do not come under the ambit of Lokpal. Whether it is Adarsh scam, Commonwealth Games scam, food grain scam, Reddy Brothers scam, Taj Corridor scam, JMM case, cash-for-vote, fodder scam, Karnataka land scam -- none of these will come under the ambit of Lokpal."

Arguing that corruption is as big a crime as murder, Hazare said, "Where will the common man go to file a case of corruption? Is it not your government's duty to provide relief to a citizen?"

He added, "It is unfortunate that after 62 years of independence the government cannot provide relief to common man who is troubled by corruption. Corruption has become part and parcel of government. If cases of murder and rape increase like that of corruption, will this be your response?"

He ended the letter saying that he awaits a response to the letter. And as things are in the current situation, it might well turn out as an anticipation by the entire nation, from a leader whom they have all along been viewing as a honest one.

OneIndia News