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Let Lokpal panel finish its task

The editorial, “Clouds of suspicion: Lokpal panel must not be derailed” (Apr 22) has critically analysed the situation created by the controversial CD and the acknowledgement by Mr Shanti Bhushan, the co-chairman of the Lokpal Bill drafting committee that the UP government allotted two plots of 10,000 square metres each to him and his son without an auction or a draw of lots. Anna Hazare cannot be held responsible for picking up the Bhushans because persons of impeccable character and integrity like that of Anna Hazare are hard to find in society which is infested with the virus of corruption and moral depravity. It is like choosing a lesser evil.

Without derailing the process of drafting the Lokpal Bill, it would be in the national interest that the joint panel is allowed to complete its task within the given time frame.

It has rightly been observed: “Anna Hazare’s movement for reform in the system must be taken to its logical conclusion, come what may and any proven misconduct or impropriety must be sternly dealt with, regardless of whether the wrong-doer is a government representative or a civil society one.”

 LAJPAT RAI GARG, Panchkula

II

Every right thinking citizen feels and understands that the Lokpal Bill and the panel agreed by both the parties must not be derailed. According to the universally accepted fact and our traditional wisdom, there is no human being on the earth who has not committed any sin.

Similarly, it is also a fact and reality that there is no politician, public servant and other professional, who can claim to be 100 per cent honest and corruption free. The way the charges and counter charges are being levelled against certain members of Anna Hazare’s panel by the responsible Congress party leaders is nothing but an attempt to derail the Lokpal Bill.

The main issue of public importance is to draft an ideal, effective and forceful Lokpal Bill which shall check corruption at all levels effectively. Since the proceedings of the panel are going to be transparent and open to the public, no member of the panel can influence it wrongly. Our politicians must understand that the public is fed up with corruption, bad governance and unethical politicians.

There is a strong public opinion in favour of the Lokpal Bill which has been purposely delayed by the politicians of all parties. Politicians must also understand the positive and proactive role of the media which has galvanized Anna Hazare’s crusade against corruption. Politicians, who are criticising the panel members, stand fully exposed and if they do not mend their ways than they shall be responsible for creating situation like in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya in India. The civil society in India is much more aware, daring and capable and can bring about a revolution much faster and stronger.

Capt AMAR JEET KUMAR, (retd), Via email

III

The editorial has stated and rightly so that the controversy over the allotment of two plots and the CD all allegedly incriminating Shanti Bhushan and his son Jayant Bhushan should not end up in the derailment of the Lokpal Bill.   

As the editorial mentioned, while the authenticity of the CD can be doubtful, the same thing cannot be said with certitude about the dubious allotment of plots. If Bhushans had made this fact public at least before jumping on to Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption bandwagon; their credibility could have been intact to some extent.  Now their explanation to prove their innocence will be taken only with a pinch of salt. A government does not allot plots to anybody just for the heck of it.

Still, the timing of the circulation of the CD and the news report about the allotment of plots is not without a purpose when the joint drafting committee has started to deliberate on the Lokpal Bill draft. Indian politics is teeming with gadflies and mavericks, which can go to any length to throw a spanner in the works in order to remain in limelight or to serve the vested interests of their benefactors and political masters. 

All said and done, the civil society representatives should have no Achilles heel. As mentioned in the editorial, they should not only be honest but also appear to be so.  Representatives with feet of clay cannot hold their ground for a long time and fight for an ombudsman, which is the raison d’etre of the civil society’s campaign against corruption.

 HEMA, Langeri, Hoshiarpur

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Digitising manuscripts The SGPC is doing a wonderful job by digitising rare manuscripts and books lying in the Sikh Reference Library (news report, Apr 13) as it would go a long way in securing the treasure trove of knowledge for our future generations. The move would also help us save our invaluable literature from unpleasant incidents like the 1984 Operation Bluestar. The digitisation of the library would also prove to be a boon for scholars and researchers in Punjab. The SGPC’s plan to set up sub-offices of the library in Chandigarh and Patiala would turn it into a guiding light for the scholars in the entire state. KULWANT SINGH, Patiala