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This is an archive article published on August 23, 2011
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Opinion Agitprop

Shekhar Gupta’s conversation with Nandan Nilekani and the article ‘We,some of the people’ echo what many of us believe.

The Indian Express

August 23, 2011 03:31 AM IST First published on: Aug 23, 2011 at 03:31 AM IST

Agitprop

* Shekhar Gupta’s conversation with Nandan Nilekani (‘Walk the Talk’,IE,August 22) and the article ‘We,some of the people’ (IE,August 22) echo what many of us believe — that the Anna Hazare movement is both misinformed and motivated. The belief that a monolithic authority will be capable of abolishing corruption is idealistic. Even more fantastic is the proposal to create a body of people with unsullied purity to function with unfettered powers that would be placed above,and pitted against,democratic institutions. We need systemic changes and the strengthening of existing bodies along with a commitment on the part of every citizen to stand against corruption.

— Suren Abreu,Mumbai

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* Nandan Nilekani has given a mix of practical and ideal solutions to control corruption. He has asked Anna Hazare’s team to let the parliamentary standing committee do its job. They can present their version of the bill to the panel for consideration. The need of the hour is to look at processes that can put an end to corruption. True,there is no magic bullet or quick-fix solutions,but it is the prime responsibility of the government to give clean administration to the people.

— S.C. Vaid,Greater Noida

People’s protest

* The article ‘We,some of the people’ (IE,August 22) says protesters must form a political party and stand for elections. It’s rather far-fetched. In a nation where public participation in governance practically begins and ends with casting the vote,it’s only appropriate that citizens express their frustration with corruption in a peaceful manner. For how long should the common man resort to endless petitioning to redress grievances? Before questioning the righteousness of the Anna movement,one should look at how invested the government is in bringing laws for the benefit of ordinary citizens. Otherwise,why was the Lokpal bill in deep freeze for this long? Also,the growing tendency to clamp down on anything that inconveniences the government of the day is dangerous.

— Kamalesh Nair,Kottayam

Silent treatment

* Apropos your editorial ‘Met with silence’ (IE,August 22),there’s no doubt Anna Hazare’s campaign is more populist than reasonable. Also,his team’s obstinacy cannot achieve its goal of a corruption-free administration and progressive society. At the same time,one must not overlook the painful fact that the Union government has completely failed to demonstrate its commitment to the people. It has been singularly lacking in communication skills and,therefore,could not carry the middle class along on its side of the debate. The Congress’s young talent,which the party once boasted of,too is nowhere in sight at this critical hour.

— Ved Guliani,Hisar