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.