Hazare next movement should be different: Hegde

Observing that the public has been "taken for a ride" on Lokpal issue, Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde on Sunday said Anna Hazare's next movement should be different from the one in April when he sat on a fast-unto-death.

Asked whether Hazare should start a movement again, Hegde said that there should be another one but it should "somewhat different from what took place from April 5. We must go around the country to impress upon people the need to have a strong Lokpal."

Present a strong Lokpal Bill: Team Anna

As the government prepares to bring Lokpal Bill to the Cabinet, Anna Hazare on Wednesday pitched for a strong version of the law to be presented for consideration of Parliament, contending that the official version falls “far short” of people’s expectations.Contending that government’s version of Lokpal Bill “falls far short” of the expectations of the people, he said it was “too weak and ineffective. It has a very narrow jurisdiction.”He said it was a rare opportunity for UPA government to change the history of India and if they present a strong Lokpal Bill, the whole country would be indebted to them.“Congress claims ‘Congress ka haath, aam admi ke saath (Congress hand is with common man). We sincerely hope that aam admi’s corruption will also be addressed through Lokpal Bill,” Mr. Hazare said.“We sincerely appeal to the Union Cabinet to present a strong Lokpal Bill in Parliament,” he said in a statement.Activist Arvind Kejriwal said there was “nothing for a common man in the present version of government’s Lokpal Bill. Common man’s corruption has been completely left out of Lokpal Bill.”Lawyer Prashant Bhushan said, “The government claims that it first wants to tackle high-level corruption.

Team Hazare drafts lokayukta bill for Nitish Kumar

The bitter experience of anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and his team in having got involved in a joint drafting exercise with the Centre on the lokpal bill, has not deterred them from coming out with a lokayukta bill for the Bihar government

ANNA HAZARE AND GANDHI

To call Anna Hazare the 21st-century Gandhi, as some have started doing, is pure hyperbole, but many would see a similarity in their methods — in particular, in their resorting to fasts to achieve their objectives. This, however, is erroneous. Indeed, the fact that so many people consider Anna Hazare’s method to be similar to Gandhiji’s only indicates how little contemporary India remembers or understands Gandhiji.

Lokpal Bill: in final lap, rush to reconcile

After the heated exchanges of last week, Team Anna and government representatives got back together to cover substantial ground on the Lokpal Bill today. The two sides agreed on several issues, including a 10-year maximum sentence for corruption and a large corpus to fund the Lokpal.

But the larger issue of control over the bureaucracy and the extent of the Lokpal’s powers remained unresolved. Government representatives strongly resisted the bid by Team Anna to include clauses with a potential to weaken the political executive and create a possibly counterproductive superstructure.

Each side will now present its own draft of the Bill at the final meeting of the committee tomorrow evening, where an attempt will be made to merge them into a common draft for Cabinet and, subsequently, Parliament approval.

Baba Ramdev and Anna Hazare put pressure on govt to fight corruption

Indian Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev may have ended his fast but says he will continue to fight against corruption.  Activist Anna Hazare also threatened to take up a new fast to put more pressure on the govt to fight corruption.

Baba Ramdev ended his 9-day fast against corruption just yesterday. The yoga guru asserted that he would resume his campaign against suspected bribe money stashed away overseas. He had continued his hunger strike in his home town Haridwar after the govt. cracked down on his fast in Delhi and sent him home.

The govt has been facing intense criticism for the crack down on the Baba.  Baba Ramdev had been hospitalised Saturday after his condition became critical after his 7 day fast. He ended his hunger strike on Sunday by drinking some juice.

‘Ramdev is dhongi, Anna Hazare panel corrupt’

All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary BK Hariprasad on Sunday attacked yoga guru Ramdev by terming him as dhongi (fake) baba and most corrupt. The senior Congress leader from Karnataka also directed his fury at the civil society members in Lokpal Bill drafting committee.

Participating in a mass health check-up programme organised by Sarvajanika Jagruthi Vedike, he said Ramdev is corrupt. He has made big money by luring people through his yoga training. “He has RSS backing. A baba owning assets to the tune of thousands of crores naturally evokes serious suspicions. The Union government has taken several measures to bring back money stashed in foreign banks

Wish Anna Hazare, and pledge your support!

Anti-corruption crusader and Gandhian Anna Hazare, who turned 74 today, has been fighting tooth and nail for the immediate passing of the anti-graft Lokpal Bill in Parliament.

The bill when passed, will give comprehensive powers to the Ombudsman to check corruption.

Hazare, with his efforts, has given voice to the entire nation’s anger over corruption, which has been dogging India in all levels of public life.

He has sought an implementation of the Lokpal Bill by August 15, threatening to go on a fast-unto-death if his demands were not met with.

Threat to democracy is from unelected tyrants, says Congress

Coming out hard against Team Anna Hazare, the Congress on Monday accused it of being undemocratic in talks with the government on the Lokpal bill, and said "if democracy in the country has any threat, it is from the unelected tyrants."

Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said there was need to clear confusion about what constitutes civil society.

Referring to Hazare's statement that he would resume fast if the proposed bill was not passed by Aug 15, Tewari said the stance by non-government members of the joint drafting committee was undemocratic.

"Such disrespect to people is with those who don't respect democracy. They always keep threatening to go on fast even as the government is holding discussions with them,"

Hazare questions PM, Congress hits back, war escalates

A day after Baba Ramdev ended his nine-day fast against corruption, Team Hazare on Monday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh why he was "scared" of the proposed Lokpal bill, prompting the Congress to hit back at the civil rights activists.

Taking their war of words to a new level, Gandhian Anna Hazare and his associates sent an open letter to Manmohan Singh demanding to know why his government wanted to keep his office outside the Lokpal's ambit.

"You are the most honest prime minister the country has had. It is ironical your own government should seek (to keep) the prime minister out of the purview of Lokpal's investigation," they wrote in the letter.

Hazare confidant Arvind Kejriwal separately urged the government to hold a referendum to determine whether people preferred an official Lokpal bill or the more radical one suggested by civil rights activists.

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari attacked the activists crusading against corruption, saying the country faced threats from the "tyranny of (the) unelected".

"They always keep threatening (to go) on fast even as the government is holding discussions with them. Is it democratic?" asked Tewari.

"If you have faith in your strength, through discussions, convince the government...

"If this country and democracy has any threat, it is from the unelected tyrants. If democracy faces its greatest peril, it is from the tyranny of the unelected.

"Such people need to understand one basic thing. In the democratic system, the veto is in the hands of people, not any person," Tewari added.

M. F. Husain supported Anna Hazare's fast against graft

Self-exiled artist M.F. Hussain, who died in London on Thursday, had drawn a cartoon extending support to Anna Hazare's anti-corruption campaign.

Husain said that 'Anna is spearheading another revolution'.

Supporting Hazare's massive anti-corruption drive, Husain said that rampant corruption is eating into our country and it is good that people like Hazare have taken on the leadership to finish it.

In the cartoon Husain had painted India crushing the demon of corruption.

This cartoon was published in a daily when the Hazare sat on a fast for Lokpal Bill at Jantar Matar in the capital.

Govt trying to discredit Lokpal panel: Hazare

Anna Hazare on Wednesday critisised the Government for trying to discredit the Lokpal Bill Drafting Committee and threatened to go on fast again from August 16 if the Government sabotages the Lokpal Bill.

"The Government is bringing many hurdles in Lokpal Bill. The Government is attempting to malign the people fighting against corruption. The Government should come and talk face to face," said Anna Hazare.

No backing Ramdev's call to arms, says Anna Hazare

Social crusader Anna Hazare on Thursday slammed fellow anti-graft campaigner Baba Ramdev's call to arms, saying he abhorred violence and would not associate himself with a man who planned to raise a militia of volunteers. Hazare said he would not meet the yoga guru for some time as it could be construed as support for the plan to train volunteers.

Hazare's statement came even as Ramdev declared his assets and also defended his controversial statement, saying, "I am not training Naxals or Maoists but people who will fight for this country" at a press conference in Haridwar.

However, Hazare pointedly told reporters at Ralegan Siddhi, "Baba Ramdev and I are fighting against corruption but I am for a non-violent 

Award for Hazare, MT

andhian and social activist Anna Hazare and writer M T Vasudevan Nair have been selected for the Amrita TV Award for their overall contribution to the society. The award being introduced by the channel from this year comprises a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, a statuette and a citation. The awards will be presented at the AmritaFefka film awards nite to be held at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor, on June 4.

Anna Hazare And Medha Patkar: What Is The Difference?

 Hyperventilating newscasters repeatedly declared that the issue of corruption has “touched a cord” with the middle class. The circus at Jantar Mantar ended on a happy note with an amazing display of rhapsody for millions of urban, educated, elite Indians as they saw the government kneel to the demands of Anna in re-formulating the Lok Pal bill. But this was more than a month back. In Indian politics, one month is a long period. With a short public memory and an equally uncaring public attitude, it is easy to comprehend why another fast in another corner of the country has evoked minimal response. Social activist and Gandhian, Medha Patkar has been on an indefinite fast since last seven days at Mumbai in protest against the land grab at the Golibar slum, next to the Mumbai airport

Why not agitate on female infanticide?:Sharma to Hazare,Ramdev

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma today took a dig at Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev, wondering why the "self-appointed social activists" are not agitating against "larger concerns" such as poverty alleviation, malnutrition and employment creation. When asked at a news conference here as to why the Congress is "bending backwards" to appease Baba Ramdev, Sharma said the Government's decision to interact with the citizens of the country should not be mistaken as "bending forwards or backwards". "Moving away from this, if I may add that India has larger concerns. Those are the issues of poverty alleviation, malnutrition, female infanticide, education, employment creation.

India: Anna Hazare And His Times – Analysis

Oscar Wilde has one his characters declare in Lady Windermere’s Fan, “I can resist anything but temptation.” The temptation to enter the debate on the Anna Hazare controversy is too great to resist despite several weeks having elapsed since it started. In the meantime, the chasm between the protagonists of Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption campaign and those holding it to be unconstitutional and undemocratic has widened. The latter argue that the correct forum for debating the Lokpal Bill is Parliament. Yielding to public agitations, however laudable their objectives, will establish an unhealthy precedent. On the other hand, the protagonists point out that Parliament is dysfunctional and will not act until it is compelled. The rapid enlargement of this agitation to acquire an all-India character reveals that public corruption has become so pervasive in India as to evoke national exasperation. Anna Hazare is a beacon of hope now.

Anna Hazare is anti-Dalit: Mayawati

Social activist Anna Hazare has laid bare his anti-Dalit mindset by not including even one member from the community on the anti-graft Lokpal Bill drafting committee, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati said Friday

Police reforms: Need for Anna Hazare-type movement

If corruption is a buzzword after Anna Hazare's campaign, then it's nowhere better reflected than in Indian police. The recent Transparency International India puts policing at No.1 in the corruption stakes and most of the complaints received by the National Human Rights Commission since its inception in 1993 are on police abuse.

The year 2011 will also mark the 150th anniversary of the Indian Police Act enacted along with the Indian Legislative Act, 1861, to rule the colonial British India.

Most of the problem in Indian policing has to do with the constitutional problems from where it stems. The Indian Police Act enacted by the colonial British government is 150 years old. One can understand the history surrounding the act as just before the Indian Police Act 1861 the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 took place.

The act was enacted taking into consideration that revolts needs to be crushed. Its aid was to quell natives. Constitutionally, the act was enacted to give more powers to the executive and not for the ordinary citizen. That's precisely the reason why since independence and India's becoming republic in 1950, no serious political discourse has taken place as politicians find it convincing to use and manipulate the police forces.

So the question arises whether there's any other alternative. The alternative is found in the British London Bobby system itself where supposedly a constable would be patrolling the streets unarmed. Under this system, the police are held accountable to the people.

Anna campaign will reduce corruption, says poll

Most Indians seem to believe that the campaign launched by Gandhian Anna Hazare will hit corruption in the country, says a nationwide opinion poll.

At the same time, most of the nearly 2,000 respondents quizzed in 10 cities felt the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was ‘the most corrupt government ever’.

Only 27 percent were sceptical of achieving positive results in eliminating corruption.

Only 30 percent thought otherwise while 12 percent had no opinion.

Asked which state government was the least corrupt, 40 percent voted for Gujarat followed by Bihar (17 percent) and Kerala (8 percent).

Maharashtra, Delhi and Rajasthan figured low down in the order, with barely four-to-five percent speaking in their favour.

The poll was conducted in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Kochi, Jaipur and Bhubaneshwar among nearly 2,000 respondents, mostly drawn from the middle classes. The poll was conducted between April 20 and 29.

Anna Hazare becomes a youth icon

Anna Hazare, widely known as the last Gandhian, who forced the federal government to agree to introduce stringent anti-graft legislation, has become a rallying point for youths in India.

The 71-year-old former Indian army driver-turned-social reformer’s five-day hunger-strike, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi galvanized youths across religions.

It also imitated freedom fighter Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who drove the mighty British imperialists out of India.

Hundreds of thousands of people joined Hazare’s crusade. As the wave of support grew into an avalanche through candle-lit rallies in many towns and cities in India and from around the world through social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter, the April 5-9 fast for an anti-graft law shook the Congress-led federal government and brought it to its knees to concede to the popular demand.

Since then a team of federal ministers and Hazare and his representatives have had two meetings to draft an anti-corruption bill to be introduced in the monsoon session of parliament. Hazare has threatened another hunger-strike if the anti-corruption bill is not passed before Independence Day on August 15.

Hazare would not have evoked such unprecedented public support had it not been for his austere Gandhian lifestyle. The white topi (cap) worn and popularized by Gandhi is back, and has captured the popular imagination of the masses.

Writing about the “Father of the Nation,” Einstein said that “generations to come will scarcely believe that such a one as this [Gandhi] ever in flesh and blood walked on this earth.”

Lokpal panel agrees on independent body

The Lokpal Bill joint drafting committee on Saturday moved towards formulation of a draft with civil society members and government representatives agreeing to set up an independent authority that will be endowed with financial and administrative autonomy.

Although the sticky issue of including the Prime Minister and the higher judiciary within the ambit of the Bill was set aside for “further discussion,'' the panel, significantly, agreed to do away with the hitherto provisions under the law for sanction by a higher authority to investigate and prosecute politicians and senior bureaucrats on corruption charges.

At present, to investigate and prosecute a Chief Minister, the Governor's sanction is required. This power will now be vested with the Lokpal (comprising six to 10 members headed by a chairperson) that would require no sanction from any authority under the Lokpal Bill.

Human Resource Development Minister and panel member Kapil Sibal described the meeting as “exceptionally constructive.'' “The drafting of the Bill will now begin in areas on which there is agreement,'' he said.

Invest in your own citizenship

One thing is clear from Anna Hazare’s campaign against corruption — the people in this country are desperately seeking honest and upright leaders. The outpouring of support from all over the nation is a real demonstration of this need. And while it is the right thing to do — support a cause and follow the 
one who leads it — this entire episode has raised some very important questions on the quality of citizenship we hold. We appear to be very happy being led — sometimes by bad men and sometimes by good men. But always led. Not questioning, not investing time in understanding what exactly the leaders are asking us to do. A case in point is this campaign against corruption.

While everyone instinctively responded to the demand to weed out corruption, very few people who were out on the streets had read the Jan Lokpal Bill being proposed by the campaign leaders. Further, as time went on, very few people were ready to listen to any arguments against the proposed Bill. If you are against the bill, you are with corruption and therefore unpatriotic.

'Wrongly issued' notice to Hazare withdrawn

The office of Charity Commissioner, Pune, has tendered an apology to social activist Anna Hazare and withdrew a 'showcause' notice served on him for not submitting the audit report of 'Hind Swaraj Trust' headed by him for two years between 2005 and 2007.

In a letter addressed to Hazare, it said the notice was "wrongly issued" to him by the office as a result of a clerical error responsible for non-entry of the trust accounts submitted to the Charity Commissioner in respect of the period from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2007.

Milind Pawar, lawyer for Hazare had earlier accused the Charity Commissioner's office of a "design to defame" the anti-corruption crusader by issuing a "false notice" to him despite proper submission of the trust accounts for the period under reference.

"A mere apology is not enough and we are contemplating a legal course of action against the Charity Commissioner's office," Pawar said today

Anna Hazare's movement figures in ADB meet

Anna Hazare's movement for a tough legislation to check corruption in India today figured at an the Asian Development Bank meeting where Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee admitted the government came under the pressure of the civil society. 

"(Our) Government took quick action as a result of pressure built by civil society as any government which is responsible and responsive cannot ignore this fact," Mukherjee said in response to a question at Governors' Seminar, part of the ADB's official agenda for its annual meeting here. 

The Finance Minister said efforts of Hazare and other members of the civil society has brought to focus the important issue. 

"One social activist Anna Hazare , along with the efforts of the others, have brought to focus one important aspect of legislation which has been pending for long. This will deal with corruption in high places," he said. 

Anna Hazare's Assam visit postponed

He will not be able to attend the public meeting in the city on May 3 due to physical ailments. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Saturday, peasant leader Akhil Gogoi said he was informed by Anna's close associates, Manish Sisodia and Arvind Kejriwal, that the veteran social activist could not visit Assam owing to poor health condition. The KMSS leader said Anna's meeting has been postponed to May 20

Delhi high court dismisses plea against Anna Hazare

The Delhi high court has dismissed a petition seeking removal of activist Anna Hazare from the Lokpal bill drafting committee and held that setting up of the panel is in the executive’s exclusive domain.

A bench of justices Deepak Misra and Sanjiv Khanna rejected plea made by by a civil society organisation Jan Shakti alleging corruption in the trust administered by Hazare.

Judges said the suitability of the persons who form a panel could not be a matter of judicial review, thus doesn’t call for judicial interference.

Pilots back Hazare call AI corrupt

Nearly 150 pilots gather at Gateway of India to support Kiran Bedi-led anti-graft rally, say they want to expose corruption within Air India ranks

People urged to switch off lights Hazare's support

In order to support Anna Hazare's campaign against corruption, an NGO has urged the residents to switch off lights for half-an-hour from 8 pm to 8.30 pm on Sunday.

The NGO wishes to show its support to Hazare who is fighting against corruption. With an aim to get the Janlok Pal Bill passed in Parliament under the banner of India Against Corruption, Sunday would be observed as a day of silent protest.

The residents have been asked to switch off lights and to light candles on Sunday evening. The NGO has also appealed the people to gather at Shivaji Park in Shivaji Nagar on Sunday evening to take out a candlelight march. 

Lokpal Bill: Let’s not forget the real issue

The controversies sought to be created around Anna Hazare’s fast have obfuscated the real issue — which is the enactment of the Lokpal Bill. It was this objective which had led Hazare to undertake a fast and he compelled the Government to notify a joint committee to draft an effective legislation, hanging fire for 42 years.

The ruling Congress has adopted a dual strategy of dealing with the situation. While Pranab Mukherjee, chair of the drafting committee, made the right noises about his willingness to work with Hazare and his team, Digvijay Singh and Amar Singh — out in the cold since Mulayam Singh dumped him — have tried to deflate the ‘India Against Corruption’ Campaign. Clearly, the dirty tricks department of the Congress has activated itself to try and derail the exercise, even as it pays lip service to it.

The moral authority of the legal duo, Shanti and Prashant Bhushan, chosen by Hazare to be part of his team, to lead a movement for change will undoubtedly be weakened, if it is established that Mayawati gave Shanti Bhushan and his son Jayant land for a consideration. So far what we know is that the Bhushans’ voluntarily disclosed their assets, and that Prashant Bhushan has been fighting for public causes.

But the issue at stake here is not the Bhushans’ character; it is the passage of the Lokpal Bill which would provide an institutional mechanism to deter high level corruption. Those who worked for the passage of the Right to Information Bill were not perfect human beings. They put in place a systemic corrective to empower the citizenry and give even the most vulnerablea tool to highlight official malfunctioning, thereby making the system more accountable.

The recent scams which have tumbled out can essentially be attributed to two factors — the RTI, and the judiciary. The efficacy of the judiciary as a watchdog has also hinged on whether there is a Justice KG Balakrishnan as the Chief Justice of India or a Justice Kapadia at the helm of affairs. In recent months, the government has acted only when the judiciary has cracked the whip, be it on the Commonwealth Games, the appointment of the CVC, or the 2G allocations.

Demonstrations made more difficult in Uttar Pradesh

Barely 24 hours after Lucknow University denied permission for a meeting to be addressed by social activist Anna Hazare May 1, the Uttar Pradesh government Wednesday issued an order making the staging of protest demonstrations more difficult.

The order makes the procedure stringent for seeking permission to stage a demonstration, ‘dharna’ or procession.

The move comes prior to Anna Hazare’s proposed visit to Varanasi, Sultanpur and Lucknow from April 29 to May 1,

The new procedure involves getting no-objection certificates from different authorities and also an undertaking from the organisers that they would bear the costs in case there was any loss or damage to public or private property.

Even as the state’s official spokesman denied that the move was intended to prevent Anna Hazare’s visit, the organisers here said that the local administration had been sitting over their formal request.

‘The decision was taken in the larger interest of the people, who were often put to much inconvenience on account of road blocks, rail blockades and overcrowding of streets’, Principal Home Secretary Fateh Bahadur told a press conference here.

‘All, including political parties, would be held as much responsible for the loss or damage to property as any private individual or organisation’, the home secretary said.

He went on to add that ‘in case of default by the organisers, the costs would be recovered as arrears of land revenue.’

Indians continue to support Hazare through SMSes

Despite the recent controversies surrounding civil society members of the Lokpal Bill drafting committee, support for Anna Hazare’s anti-graft campaign continues unabated, as evident from the thousands of SMSes pouring in from across the country, the organisers said Tuesday.

An SMS that read – ‘Do you want to volunteer for Anna Hazare’s movement against corruption (in support of strong anti-corruption law)? If yes, please SMS back on this number’ – was sent to 3,50,000 Delhiites Saturday and 55,000 of them replied, said an official from India Against Corruption (IAC), the organisation spearheading the campaign.

A similar SMS was sent in Mumbai to over 1,00,000 people, and 10,000 responded.

‘Excitement is building up in Bangalore, Mysore and other cities as Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Swami Agnivesh, among others, are all set to visit them for public consultations on the Jan Lokpal Bill,’ the IAC official said.

We are getting an indication that crowds of between 10,000 and 50,000 people would be present in Mysore and Bangalore respectively, the official added.

Our movement has just begun, says Kiran Bedi

Anna Hazare's close aide and former 'super cop'Kiran Bedi tells Sriram Balasubramanian that their anti-corruption movement has just begun, and gives full credit to the youth and people of India who made it 'their' movement.

It's been an intense past few weeks for the Indian people. Having being an integral part of the Anna Hazare movement, what are your first reactions?

I am truly blessed to be a part of a movement to save my country from the clutches of the dishonest high and mighty. With Anna Hazare in the lead we (Arvind Kejriwal and myself) were sure to achieve a break through. However it's just the beginning. And long way to go with Herculean challenges. But I am so grateful to the Almighty that it has become a national reform movement. 

CD row: Anna Hazare leaves onus on Bhushans

Leaving the onus of getting out of the CD controversy on the Bhushans, veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday said he would speak only n the Lokpal Bill. 
"I will speak only on the Lokpal Bill issue. I know nothing about the CD issue and will not speak on that," Hazare told reporters here.

The CD controversy involving eminent lawyer Shanti Bhushan took a new turn today with a government forensic lab refuting his claims that it was doctored triggering demands for his resignation from the Joint Commission to draft the Lokpal Bill. 

The forensic analysis conducted by Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL) located in New Delhi has said "there is continuity in the conversation".

"Recorded conversation is in continuity, no abrupt change in speech signal has been detected," police sources said quoting from the report.

They also said there was no change in background voice pattern.

The purported telephone conversation among Shanti Bhushan, Yadav and Singh suggested attempts being made at influencing a judge.

It, however, remains a mystery as to who circulated the CD.

Anna Hazare should start satyagraha in Uttar Pradesh: Digvijay Singh

Congress national general secretary Digvijay Singh today said that if social activist Anna Hazare starts a 'satyagraha' in Uttar Pradesh against corruption the party would welcome and support it.

"The Uttar Pradesh government has created records in corruption. We demand Gandhian Anna Hazare that like Maharashtra, he should start a 'satyagraha' against corruption," Singh told reporters in Lucknow.

"We will not only welcome and completely support his satyagrah, but will also provide relevant documents to him," he added.

He said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi was the first politician to support Hazare.

He, however, raised doubts over effectiveness of the Jan Lokpal Bill.

"The Congress is fighting against corruption, but it cannot be checked only by Jan Lokpal bill," he said.

The Congress leader said that the judiciary should decide disproportionate cases, including those against Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav.

He also said that discretionary powers of the government be reduced and law should be simplified so that there is no chance of corruption.

He said that the Congress-led UPA government had taken stringent action in all cases of corruption whether it was Adarsh housing society, Commonwealth Games or the 2G spectrum.

It was due to stringent action taken by the government that former telecom minister A Raja, senior bureaucrats and his associates were in the jail, he said.

Hazare to address public meeting in Varanasi

Social activist and anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare will address a public meeting in the city on April 29.

Anna Hazare, along with other activists – Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Swami Agnivesh, will attend the meeting on April 29 at the Cutting Memorial Inter College, former Chief Information Commissioner Om Prakash Kejriwal told a press conference here on Wednesday.

He said that the meeting is being organised under the banner of India Against Corruption and is not associated with any political party.

PIL for Hazare's removal from drafting panel of Lokpal Bill

A petition was today filed in the Delhi High Court seeking removal of Anna Hazare from the drafting committee of Lokpal Bill alleging he was found guilty of corruption relating to the administration of a trust run by him. 

The PIL filed by an NGO, National Anti-corruption Public Power, alleged a judicial inquiry led by former Supreme Court Judge Justice P B Sawant held Hazare responsible for misappropriation of Rs two lakh from the Hind Swaraj trust run by him. 

The alleged misappropriation of fund had occured during the celebration of Hazare's birthday at his village Ralegaon-Siddhi in Maharashtra, according to the PIL. 

The petition said Justice Sawant had, in his report, concluded that "there had indeed been misappropriation of Rs 2 lakh from the Hind Swaraj trust amounting to corruption - to celebrate Anna's birthday in his village Ralegaon-Siddhi". 

"After detailed inquiry, the Commission had in its report submitted in 2005 specifically given its finding that Hazare was guilty of corrupt practices (involving misadministration of one of his trusts)," the NGO alleged. 

According to the petition, the "Commission's report says that some of the workers of Hazare's Bhrastachar Virodhi Janandolan Trust were abusing the platform for anti social activities such as extortion of money and blackmailing (by threatening to expose corruption through use of RTI)" 

The past catches up

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee was initially hesitant about heading the drafting committee for the Lok Pal Bill. But now that it’s fait accompli, he decided to extend a hand of friendship to the five civil society members and Anna Hazare after the first meeting of the committee on Saturday. He shook hands with everyone and told Hazare, “Do you remember, we held long meetings earlier as well?” Hazare’s recollections were hazy so Mukherjee reminded him, “It was when I was the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission I had formed a small discussion group with the NGOs. You were a part of the group and came to Yojana Bhawan quite a few times.”

CD row: BJP joins Anna chorus

Pointing the needle of suspicion towards former SP leader Amar Singh, who is being alleged to have doctored the tapes of conversation between former Law minister Shanti Bhushan and SP leader Mulayam Singh, BJP vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the Central Government had given “supari” to professionals to defame the anti-corruption campaign of Anna Hazare.

Without naming Amar Singh, Naqvi told workers of various social organisations who visited him that “supari” has been given to the same persons, who were given the responsibility of saving the Government and ensuring its victory through cash-for-votes in the Confidence Vote on the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement.

Amar Singh was accused of doctoring the cassettes on the cash-for-vote scam. His name had also figured during the probe by the Parliament-appointed Kishore Chand Deo Panel.

However, his name found no place in the panel report as there was no evidence against him.

Naqvi also said it was very unfortunate that the Government and the Congress were saying something on the face, but adopting various “low-level, shameful and immoral tactics to defame anti-corruption campaign behind the curtains”.

He said, “While the BJP could not agree with many issues raised by Hazare, the main issue of his campaign is corruption at the Centre, which affects the country. It is but natural for the Congress to think that the fight against corruption is against it, but adoption of cheap tactics is completely damaging the remaining credibility of the Congress and the Central Government.”

Activist, two others assaulted in Phaltan

The Phaltan city unit president of Anna Hazare's Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jana Andolan(BVJA), Popat Barge, and two others were assaulted by a gang of five after he filed an RTI application seeking information about an unauthorised construction in Phaltan. The incident took place around 11 pm on Sunday at Phaltan.

The Phaltan police have also booked Barge after receiving a cross-complaint against him for allegedly demanding money to keep quiet about the alleged illegal construction. No arrests have been made so far.

According to the police, Barge (37), his brother Vishal (35) and one Vishal Chandrakant Pawar (37) sustained injuries in the attack and are undergoing treatment in the government hospital in Satara.

Barge has lodged a complaint against Firoz Attar, Yogesh Barge, Preetam Bendre, Sachin Deshpande and Nilesh Khanvilkar with the Phaltan police station.

Do attacks on me have your nod: Anna to Sonia

Stung by the criticism of his statements and by the surfacing of a CD containing a purported conversation allegedly featuring Shanti Bhushan, his colleague on the joint drafting committee for the Lokpal Bill, activist Anna Hazare shot off a letter to Sonia Gandhi today, complaining against “one of the general secretaries of Congress party” and “one of the ministers” in the committee.

Hazare took no names, but appeared clearly to be accusing senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh and HRD and Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal of “creating confusion” and “derailing” the discussions in the committee.

“One of the General Secretaries of Congress Party has been making many statements... I assume that he has the support of the party... Most of these statements are factually wrong, which makes one believe whether his only intention is to create confusion, mislead people and derail the ongoing discussions... Do you personally approve of his statements?” Hazare wrote to Sonia.

Bhushan clean, says Anna

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: VS has done it again. Heaping praise on social activist Anna Hazare has landed Achuthanandan in a spot. With Hazare's open support to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's rural development activities raising the hackles of the CPM central leadership, it may not be easy for VS to reiterate his support to Hazare. More so when the CPM has come out with a scathing criticism against Hazare for his antidemocratic utterances. The latest issue of People's Democracy (PD), the mouthpiece of the CPM in India, categorically states in its editorial that Hazare's 'utter disdain for the voter and contempt for parliamentary democracy is indeed disturbing.' Hazare had said he didn't contest the election because he was sure he would forfeit his deposit as the ordinary voters cast their vote under the influence of `100 or a bottle of liquor.

The CPM said: ''Whenever there was a challenge to India's secular democratic character, it was this very voter that upheld and safeguarded the vision of a modern India. It was this very voter that defeated Indira Gandhi's Emergency regime and reestablished democracy with such vigour that it has now become inseparable from Indian reality. It is this very democracy that provides the space for social activism and huger strikes of this nature.''

The PD editorial titled 'Contempt for Democracy Not Allowed' says: ''Without this voter, India today may not be what it is and could well have been robbed of the vibrancy that, amongst more important attributes, allows candlelight protests and hunger strikes.'' In support to Hazare's hunger strike, candle light protests were held in several places in India.

When Anna Hazare was on fast, V S Achuthanandan wrote him a letter praising his struggle. In his letter dated April 7, VS offered all support to the fight against corruption undertaken by Hazare. During his election campaign in Kochi on April 8, VS had criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not taking steps to resolve Hazare's strike. Though the CPM also favoured Hazare's strike then, it was more as a support to the Lok Pal Bill than personal praise.

CD controversy: Hazare backs Bhushan, says action if guilty

Amid a demand for removal of Shanti Bhushan, co-chairman of the Lokpal Bill joint drafting committee, over the CD controversy, activist Anna Hazare today said he should continue on the panel but action should be taken against him if found guity.

Hazare claimed he had been told that the CD, carrying audio clippings of a purported telephonic conversation between Bhushan, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh about influencing a judge, was doctored.

"We had sent the CD to a high level laboratory for examination and it was found that the contents of the CD are absoutely bogus," he said, maintaining that Bhushan would take the matter to the court.

"If found guilty, he deserves to be punished but if not, he is innocent. How can I give a guarantee about any person. I got to know him only because of this committee. I can give guarantee only about myself," he said when asked whether he could give a guarantee about Bhushan's credentials.

Hazare said he has been told that Bhushan was mulling filing a defamation case in this connection.

Asked whether Bhushan should continue as member of the joint drafting committee in the wake of these allegations, Hazare replied he should. 

Praise for Anna Hazare puts VS in a spot

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: VS has done it again. Heaping praise on social activist Anna Hazare has landed Achuthanandan in a spot. With Hazare's open support to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's rural development activities raising the hackles of the CPM central leadership, it may not be easy for VS to reiterate his support to Hazare. More so when the CPM has come out with a scathing criticism against Hazare for his antidemocratic utterances. The latest issue of People's Democracy (PD), the mouthpiece of the CPM in India, categorically states in its editorial that Hazare's 'utter disdain for the voter and contempt for parliamentary democracy is indeed disturbing.' Hazare had said he didn't contest the election because he was sure he would forfeit his deposit as the ordinary voters cast their vote under the influence of `100 or a bottle of liquor.

The CPM said: ''Whenever there was a challenge to India's secular democratic character, it was this very voter that upheld and safeguarded the vision of a modern India. It was this very voter that defeated Indira Gandhi's Emergency regime and reestablished democracy with such vigour that it has now become inseparable from Indian reality. It is this very democracy that provides the space for social activism and huger strikes of this nature.''

The PD editorial titled 'Contempt for Democracy Not Allowed' says: ''Without this voter, India today may not be what it is and could well have been robbed of the vibrancy that, amongst more important attributes, allows candlelight protests and hunger strikes.'' In support to Hazare's hunger strike, candle light protests were held in several places in India.

When Anna Hazare was on fast, V S Achuthanandan wrote him a letter praising his struggle. In his letter dated April 7, VS offered all support to the fight against corruption undertaken by Hazare. During his election campaign in Kochi on April 8, VS had criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not taking steps to resolve Hazare's strike. Though the CPM also favoured Hazare's strike then, it was more as a support to the Lok Pal Bill than personal praise.

I Have More Followers Than Anna Hazare - Baba Ramdev

Jan Lokpal Bill will not help root out all sort of corruption though I support Anna Hazare's struggle as it is against corruption. My seven-point memorandum to be submitted to the centre will be the answer to root our corruption from the country, said yoga exponent Baba Ramdev

Congress continues to target Anna Hazare on Narendra Modi remark

The Congress may have bowed to public pressure on the Lok Pal Bill, but now that the crowds have disappeared from Jantar Mantar the ruling establishment has struck back with a vengeance at Anna Hazare and his band of supporters.

A six-year-old judicial inquiry report indicting Anna Hazare's Hind Swaraj Trust for financial irregularities has suddenly surfaced in the Capital's corridors of power.

A quiet campaign was also under way to taint the father-and-son lawyer duo of Shanti and Prashant Bhushan by making a scandalous CD public. And from the Congress, a leader of the stature of AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh came out openly against Hazare on Saturday.

In a television interview with Karan Thapar, Singh said the anti-corruption campaign led by Hazare was being supported by the RSS and BJP sympathisers and attacked the Gandhian for praising Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi.

" He is a very simple man, very naive," Singh said. " And people have been exploiting him all over the years." He then went on to add: " I think the way the campaign was launched, Anna Saheb Hazare was drawn into this. He is a well- meaning person, an honest man, but he's extremely naive. That is his fault." These different developments took place on the eve of the first meeting on Saturday of the joint committee formed to discuss the Lokpal Bill, which has been lying in cold storage for 43 years. The day was also marked by a scathing attack on the Bill by the National Advisory Council member Aruna Roy.

In this maelstrom of negativity, Shanti Bhushan, who's also the co- chairman of the joint committee, also found a notice sent to him in February by the Uttar Pradesh Stamps and Registration Department doing the rounds. The notice seeks to recover from Bhushan stamp duty adding up to Rs 1.33 crore for a palatial bungalow the lawyer had purchased in the posh Civil Lines locality of Allahabad.

Kapil Sibal: First meeting of Lokpal panel fruitful; next on May 2

The drafting committee of the Lokpal Bill met for the first time in New Delhi today, exactly a week after social activist Anna Hazare ended his four-day hunger strike after the government gave in to most of his demands. The next meeting will take place on May 2.

"The meeting of was fruitful, everyone contributed. We all want that the Lokpal Bill be passed in the Monsoon Session," Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said after the meeting got over.

Lokpal Bill drafting panel meets; co-chair in CD controversy

drafting committee of the Lokpal Bill is meeting for the first time in New Delhi today, exactly a week after social activist Anna Hazare ended his four-day hunger strike after the government gave in to most of his demands. The meeting comes amid a CD controversy allegedly involving panel co-chairman Shanti Bhushan.Chaired by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the meeting is being held at the North Block. Other government representatives on the panel include Home Minister P Chidambaram, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal, Law Minister Veerappa Moily and Water Resources Minister Salman Khursheed.Five representatives of civil society who will work with the five ministers to draft the Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's Ombudsman bill) include former Law Minister Shanti Bhushan, Anna Hazare, eminent lawyer Prashant Bhushan, Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hege and RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal.Both sides fine-tuned their strategy during separate meetings last evening. The government said it had an open mind on the proposed legislation and hoped that discussions will pave the way for a convergence of ideas. The activists on their part said they would want the Jan Lokpal Bill to be the base for the discussions and would press for videographing of the proceedings.

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Digvijaya targets Anna Hazare supporters

Congress General Secretary Digivjaya Singh has sparked off a fresh controversy over Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement by raising questions over the credentials of some members of Hazare's movement, including those who are members of the Lokpal bill drafting panel. In an exclusive interview to Karan Thapar on Devil's Advocate, Singh said that the father-son lawyer duo of Shanti and Prashant Bhushan must answer questions on alleged avoidance of property tax.

Digivjaya Singh: He has been surrounded by some section of people who are only trying to sort of push their own cause, at the same time, why is he not taking Harsh Mander and Aruna Roy? These are also as competent, as honest and as dedicated as the others, even more I feel.

Karan Thapar: What do you think of the people he's actually appointed? The Bhushans, Arvind Kejriwal, Justice Hedge. What do you think of the quality and the caliber of the people of the people he has appointed?

Digvijaya Singh: Well, Arvind Kejriwal is a chela of Aruna Roy. So if Aruna Roy had been taken it would have been much better. As far as Justice Hedge is concerned, I'm really not aware of his worth, obviously he must be a good judge. But at the same time, keeping Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan both there and I was really surprised, yesterday only they have been noticed for under valuing their property and also avoiding paying the right amount of stamp duty. I think they should be careful in choosing their friends.

Karan Thapar: Just to understand you properly, you are saying notices just yesterday were given to the two Bhushans, I presume you are saying court notices, for undervaluing their property and not paying the proper amount of stamp duty?

Digvijaya Singh: Yes.