Opinion Wrong means
Its blackmail to force a government to adopt specific means
Wrong means
Apropos Of the few,by the few (IE,April 7),democracy has its problems,which government and citizens attempt to solve in different ways. Indian democracy is no exception,nor is the consternation over corruption unjust. But there seems something deeply coercive about fasting unto death. Its blackmail to force a government to adopt specific means. No one would question the need for a time-bound redress of complaints and timely delivery of justice,nor would the demand be unjustified that all investigation be insulated from political pressure.
But should the complainant force the authorities to adopt his/ her suggested means of redress? One may be a moralist and an eminent social reformer,but does any of these labels make one infallible and authorise the condemnation of all authority and administration? Let Anna Hazare understand that raising an issue and protesting may be democratic,but our personal virtues dont entitle us to dictate policy to representative government. His solution is riddled with more problems than it attempts to resolve.
Ved Guliani Hisar
Wake-up call
While there may be much against the substance of Anna Hazares idea of the Lokpal,theres little against his principle of shaking up a slow-paced government over corruption. When most elected representatives are seen as promoters of corrupt practices,the emphasis on representative democracy looks exaggerated. The delay of the Jan Lokpal Bill itself is an example.
Y.G. Chouksey Pune
Annas comrades
It is right to lend support to Anna Hazare. He reminds one of Lal Bahadur Shastri,Kamaraj and Annadurai. The CWG,2G and Adarsh scams have taken the country by storm and nothing concrete has been done to address corruption. The Centre is buying time because of the elections in Tamil Nadu,West Bengal and other states. Theres no one to call a spade a spade. Hazare has taken the lead. If instituted,the office of the Lokpal will be able to prosecute politicians and bureaucrats if found
guilty with the governments consent. Investigations will be independent and time-bound.
C.K. Subramaniam
The inheritors
This refers to your editorial Judges,reformers (IE,April 7). The Supreme Court has foregrounded the individual dignity of the child,even if born out of a valid marriage. Once again,our courts have sided with progressive and humanitarian values.
Mohit Chander
Direct democracy
There’s a silver lining for Panchayati Raj in Bihar in terms of power being given to zilla parishads by the state government (Nitish gives more power to zilla parishads,IE,April 6). Itd be ideal if a proper planning process starts from a Gram Sabha in an accountable manner. It has been seen that wherever Gram Sabhas are active,Panchayats are responsive to peoples needs.
Anjani K. Tiwari
Motihari
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