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8/3/2019 The Lokpal Moment
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The Lokpal Moment
Its a good time for Anna to end his fast and discussions
As surmises and suggestions on the Lokpal Bill drizzle down, this much is clear
using his moral charisma, Anna Hazare has channeled a groundswell of frustration
over corruption. The Jan Lokpal campaign, a fast at its centre, music, chanting, flag-
waving, even food stalls around it, epitomizes the vibrancy of the Indian public, its
politics poised dramatically between carnival and catastrophe.
Finally despite its great success, its time for Anna to give the movement a break.
Heres why.
Clearly, the resonance of the Jan Lokpal movement made the government finally
take heed of public desire. The prime ministers recent communication to Anna was
followed up by discussions between ministers and Jan Lokpal representatives. The
government appears far less rigid now on issues like excluding the PM from the
Lokpal purview or aligning the CBIs anti-corruption wing to it. Considering its earlier
no-budge stand, these are considerable steps forward. Alongside, it seems the Jan
Lokpal group has agreed to let the judiciary be governed by a strong Judicial
Accountability Bill, not insist on the Lokpal surveying it. Considering fears over all
constitutional bodies being examined by one institution, this too is positive.
Yet trouble spots remain. There is little agreement over the inclusion of the lower
bureaucracy or state Lokayuktas under a national Lokpal. There is also remarkably
insufficient protection to whistleblowers under the governments version. While
such divergences are significant, they can be solved by deciding what the Lokpal is
meant to do tackle big-ticket corruption or chase all levels of graft Activist Aruna
Roy envisions a Lokpal that pursues top-end corruption, leaving other levels to a
strengthend Central Vigilance Commission. Surely thats a rational position, as itll
prevent the Lokpal going under from the sheer weight of all that falls within its
jurisdiction. Its vital all rational views are noted end should not be achieved by
forcing Parliament to move pronto.
Annas movement taking breather would help this. Every movement has its
moments. For the first time in 64 years, a powerful, cohesive public movement has
risen against corruption. Through it, Annas made his point and its been duly noted.
Corruption will not be tackled in a day. We need crusaders like Anna to keep up a
consistent fight against corruption. The government can demonstrate its sincerity toa doubting public by committing to convene a special session of parliament where
all versions of the Lokpal Bill would be discussed. And its in the interest of all that
Anna breaks his fast.