Opinion Clearly biased
I am a regular reader of your editorial page and have been following the way you have covered the entire Anna Hazare episode.
Clearly biased
* I am a regular reader of your editorial page and have been following the way you have covered the entire Anna Hazare episode. I am sorry to bring to your notice that it has showed a bias towards the government. The editorials say that Hazares approach to the Lokpal bill is wrong. However,there is never any mention of the circumstances that have led him to take such a stance. Never has it been pointed out that Hazares protest is a result of the indifferent attitude of the government towards the problem of corruption. You always uphold constitutional principles. But does it imply that the people have a right to voice their opinion only once in five years,at the time of voting? The newspaper has failed to understand the popular will. By calling the movement constitutionally wrong,you have indirectly supported the vested interests of the corrupt.
Prajwal Deshmukh,Pune
Not for me
* As support swells for Anna Hazares movement,one wonders if the reasons for this mobilisation are economic hardship and general frustration with the system rather than corruption. India has a sound legal system. Since it is not functioning effectively,a parallel system is being proposed. But there is no guarantee that the latter will be corruption-free. To give unprecedented powers to those who are nominated or self-designated will have grave consequences. I do not want what Hazare is asking for. And we do not know if the majority of Indians want what he is asking for. In this light,his movement is dictatorial. If India implements what Hazare wants,the office of the prime minister will be susceptible to extreme instability and at the mercy of an ombudsman. Dissent is the essence of democracy,but this movement appears to be ill-conceived and fraught with dangers.
Jay Desai,Ahmedabad
Rulers arrogance
* Shekhar Gupta has rightly analysed the current pro-Anna Hazare mood and the dominant anti-Congress impulse of Indias vast middle class (The aam Anna aadmi,IE,August 20). He blames the Congress leadership for this alienation. In their arrogance,the rulers are unable to see the peoples movement that is out to overwhelm them.
M. Ratan,New Delhi
Toothless bill
* While certain aspects of Anna Hazares Jan Lokpal Bill are problematic for instance,an all-powerful ombudsman akin to a supercop the government has done itself no favours by introducing a toothless version. Had it produced a strong legislation with adequate safeguards,it would have taken the wind out of the civil society movements sail. But the governments version,while conferring immunity on most people within the administration,leaves whistleblowers exposed and vulnerable. In its present form,it will do very little to address the systemic weaknesses that make graft a cause for concern.
Dilbag Rai,Chandigarh
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