II

I fully endorse The Tribune’s observation that Anna Hazare deserves the nation’s gratitude but it is incumbent on him and his loyal band of supporters to keep the movement insulated from self-seekers and other vested interests. As a social activist, Anna Hazare has been able to bend the Central government to accept his demand for constituting a 10 member committee to deliberate on the contours of the Lokpal Bill which is expected to be drafted  by June 30 this year. Individually, he has, as Dr M S Swaminathan has also sensibly remarked, emerged as “the conscience keeper of the nation” after his five-day hunger strike.

I agree that there are huge challenges ahead. Anna’s fast-unto-death move to awaken the common people against corrupt politicians and bureaucrats has aroused new hopes and possibilities for popular and stronger democratic movements in India. Anna has himself expressed the apprehension that when the draft of the proposed Lokpal Bill is tabled in Parliament, it can face a fierce resistance from those elected representatives who feel scared of the growing impact of his crusade against corruption.

Anna Hazare has shown rare courage to sit on fast-unto-death even at the age of 73. His growing massive appeal among the common people has alarmed the drawing-room politicians who have grown habitual to taking the electorate’s support for granted.

The Tribune has quite accurately pointed out that ‘there is a new awakening among the youth’ which can prove the undoing of the political class if politicians in general do not mend their ways. I greatly appreciate Anna Hazare’s decision to tour the whole country for familiarising himself with the genuine problems of the masses.

Though his recent statement describing the functioning of the state governments in Gujarat and Bihar led by Narender Modi and Nitish Kumar as ideal has created doubts in social and political circles about his core vision and philosophy. Was it just a off-the-cuff remark or a thoughtful observation?

Dr RAJ BAHADUR YADAV, Fatehabad

III

The aam aadmi should be happy that social activist Anna Hazare’s crusade  against corruption has united the whole nation which stood behind him like a rock compelling the Union Government to bend and issue a notification with respect to the constitution of a committee, which includes five members of the civil society also, for working out details and modalities for electing a Lokpal. This issue had been hanging fire for the last 42 years because the politicians were reluctant to bring the Lokpal Bill for their selfish motives. Even the one drafted by them was a paper tiger, which did not empower the proposed Lokpal with powers to act against corrupt politician and bureaucrats.

Now there is a hope that the Lokpal Bill will be made effective and will see the light of the day in the coming monsoon session of Parliament. I agree with the views expressed in the editorial that in Anna’s fast unto-death “there is a lesson for the country’s powers-that-be that there is a new awakening among the youth which can prove their undoing if politicians in general did not mend their ways.” Otherwise, there is a revolution waiting to change the complete political system of the country. All those corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen need to either resign and go back to their homes or the power of the “aam aadmi” will force them to a disgraceful exit with dire consequences.

When the youth power rises, nothing on earth can stop them. So far we’ve been only reading about “revolutions” of the past. But if the politicians still do not change their corrupt mentality and do not follow the path of honesty, the day is not far when we shall all be a part of a “revolution”! The ‘aam aadmi”, especially the youth of today has certainly become aware of its might as has been proven by the support of millions of men, women, young and old who came out on the streets on a single call against corruption given by Anna Hazare. Now, the process should be quick and a Lokpal should be installed in the next few months to get India rid of corruption.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh