Political forces against anti-corruption movement: Hazare

PTI

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Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Thursday charged “political and criminal forces” of trying to dilute the nationwide movement against graft by defaming and criticising the campaign for a comprehensive Lokpal Bill.

“Some political and criminal forces are afraid of recent awakening and huge support of the common man to the Jan Lokpal Bill. They are trying to create confusion and defame the movement to defuse the emerging people’s movement for curbing corruption,” Mr. Hazare told PTI from Ralegan Siddhi village, 40 km away from here.

On criticism for reported remarks against political leaders, the social activist said that he never said that all politicians in India are corrupt.

“There are very few exceptions at all levels. But those exceptions can be honoured only if they too raise their voice against known corruption in their close circles. Keeping mum on issues related to corruption is also silent support to corruption and such leaders who fall in that category are actually of no use for nation,” he said.

The veteran also faced flak from the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party for allegedly calling voters corrupt and dishonest.

The 73-year-old Gandhian said, “Political parties and leaders are responsible for maligning the voter’s character in this country. They usually earn lot of black money using power and distribute a little amount of it to voters in elections to grab sympathy for their corrupt practises.”

“Is it possible today for candidates who are meritorious and possess good moral character and commitment to win an election without huge amount of black money,” he asked.

Under attack for appreciating Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar, Mr. Hazare said he only lauded their developmental efforts and has always condemned every communal riot including the one in 1984.

Mr. Hazare will leave for Delhi on Friday to attend the first meeting of the draft committee for Jan Lokpal Bill on April 16.

He expressed his gratitude for the common man as well as all NGOs for their selfless involvement in the movement against corruption.

Comments:

Corruption is not a political issue but a moral issue. It can only be eliminated by a value(moral) centered educational system. No law can eliminate uncleanliness (either moral or physical). We must teach sound moral values it in our schools and parents must enforce it at home. Only then can we even dream of a corruption free country. Or else 20 years down even the laws that the current movement is attempting to make will only be a tool in the hands of the corrupt.

from: Prakash
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 13:16 IST
But why give opportunity in the first place, Mr.Anna Hazare, to the political and criminal forces to 'dilute' the movement ? Isn't it a fact that your own ardent supporters are not happy with some of your public statements? Why not keep away from media on such controversies and concentrate just on he Bill and work for it Your stature has changed and now you have to be careful in what you say in public...

from: D Mohan
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 13:32 IST
The Lokpal Bill is a welcome development to stem the rot at the top end of the political and administrative spectrum. But to root out corruption from all walks of life, the citizens have to raise above their personal needs. Corruption in school and college admissions, corruption in the corporation, in the road transport office, in public hospitals, in the tashildar's office etc can be eleminated when individuals raise above their inidvidual needs. Netaji Anna should address the issue of the citizens' responsibility towards a corruption free India.

from: Mani Sandilya
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 13:33 IST
Mr Hazare sounds to be a very confused person.Does, according to him,corruption only mean money changing hands under the table? A person who is responsbile for the worst State-sponsored communal riot in independent India is also corrupt, because he abused the power vested in him by the people to subserve his narrow political end. So,I fail to appreciate how Mr Hazare can laud a corrupt person for his so-called developmental efforts in Gujarat and how he can recommend such a person to be a role model.So far as other forms of corruption are concerned, they are there in all the endeavours of Mr Modi.Mr Hazare has only to look deeper.

from: Goutam
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 13:34 IST
We are with sir..forever..

from: abhijit
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 13:36 IST
Sir, Please concentrate on drafting a strong anti-corruption bill that should effectively help common man. The local Tashildahr offices are completely corrupt. Please don't bother about political parties' views. The bill should not only stop corruption at higher levels but also lower levels. Please suggest to replace interview system with written test for Govt jobs. Interview for Govt job means extraction of money from the candidates. Until otherwise you insert honest, young and energetic people in the corrupt system the old corrupt system will stay there.

from: T. Subramanian
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 13:37 IST
I fully agree with Mr. Hazare that he only lauded the developmental efforts of Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Bihar and has always condemned every communal riot including the one in 1984. However, to control black money I suggest that currency notes of denomination 1000, 500 to demonetised for ever and new notes of Rs.900 and Rs.400 to be printed by giving two months notice period. Persons want to exchange the notes should give their bank account number and PAN Number along with declaration of source of income. Though it may be a cumbersome prcoess, still it is wortth considring by the Govt as it will eradicate black money to great extent and also exchequer will earn revenue through income tax from undisclosed source of income and penalty proceedings can start based on the information disclosed. To implement this, we need POLITICAL WILL. CAN THE PRESENT GOVT. DO THIS?

from: R.Venkatesan
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 13:49 IST
Creating riots to win an election is the worst kind of corruption; everything else fades into nothing in front of it.

from: Nirmal Gill
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 13:59 IST
It is shameful to see the unity amongst all political parties in attacking Anna Hazare's in his effort to bring effective law against corruption. This unity should have been shown on other occasions when India's pride is on stake. The political parties should learn from Anna, how to organise the people and how much the general public is facing problem in their lives. Instead of preparing itself to identify ways and means for effective mechanisms to curb the corruption, the government is simply involved itself in attacking the movement. If government have so much reservations with the movement, why it brought up the notification. Why it came out for negotiations? It is shameful to see the state of governance in India.

from: Ajay
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 14:00 IST
Anna Hazare needs full support of nation. Though he clarified his coomment on Modi, why the NGOs are after him ?He is above evertything. It is nothing but a group of people who do not want India to prosper are spreading canards against Hazare.

from: Amudhan
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 14:16 IST
I wish Annaji all success in his efforts. But as you said, politicians are hindering your move, which was obvious for reasons you know. I wished people to come out with their experience with various government departments while they were on television. Even now, people who suffered should come out which is not possible without your direct support. You had started a very noble movement which I feel has not culminated. I hope you will not let it fade away as people are basically honest and want a clean system. Even those who would have paid bribes to get small little work done are honest and should not be penalised for it, unless it has been done to amass wealth by cheating general public.

from: Tikku
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 14:23 IST
Sir, there will be lot of stumbling Block when good is going to be done. But these blockages will automatically kicked out when goodness prevails.

from: Laltakkar
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 14:31 IST
Mr.Anna Hazare may also to add in the list of watch - dog list while dealing in Anti-corruption note about freebees and to check the Tax-payers money should not be go in vain deviating national interest. And to put right check to curb the unscrupulous people retaining power in center or state.I deeply feel about the implication procedure to it effectiveness should be taken care.

from: M R C Murthy
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 14:32 IST
Laudatory that Anna also commented on 1984 riots.. Power to him!!

from: kiran
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 14:56 IST
Anna Hazare must move around whole nation to strengthen the anticorruption movement.It is now very much essential to gain momentum of the movement by organising common man.

from: Radha Kumud Das
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 15:23 IST
One should not give political colours to Anna's appreciation about Narendra Modi and Nitish Kumar. If some thing good happening it should be appreciated like strong criticism against corruption. I am non political person and I feel the Congress party is behaving like a goon as far corruption is concerned. Congress is trying to do the very famous divide and rule dirty tricks so as to destabilize this holy movement against corruption. By using various dirty methods and inducing some of the Anna's associates to say some thing against him (who are having hidden agenda in their minds while joining the movement and using this as a golden opportunity) started showing their true colours. Annaji we are with you. Go ahead we are with you.

from: Subburaj
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 15:25 IST
All Governments, even the most dictatorial and tyrannical, profess to be acting for the good of the people. When the British ruled India and held the country by naked brute force, they claimed to be doing so for the good of the Indian people. Democracy is not a license to few to destroy everything - all morals values. Some poor people are voting for Money so votes are being purchased at any cost. This is even confirmed, a short-time ago, by the Chief Election Commissioner of India. Ignorant, poor and illiterate people are easily swayed by cheap propaganda, empty slogans and attractive promises and gifts. Some shrewd and unscrupulous politicians misguide them with tall talk and exploit their ignorance for their selfish objectives.
The politicians are fully aware of these weaknesses of the people and of our democracy and take maximum advantage of them as and when the circumstances demand. A headquarters of a national level political party,in New Delhi, was shifted from one Road to a plot on a prestigious Road, the market value of which at that time was some Rs 100 crores but which was handed over to the party for Rs 2 crores only. Relative of a polititian who was given super security protection at the tax payer's expense and is excused from being frisked at airports even though ordinary citizens representatives [ which in this instance include the defence chiefs of staff sometimes ] are not accorded such a sign of respect.
Why should MPs occupy bungalows each estimated at many crores and often continue to occupy even when their term of office is over? In some cases Courts have given directions to the Governments in this regard. Please answer what Politicians have you done in this matter? How disappointed we are. It is high time we need debate for the above question with all honest leaders sitting together. Then only we can convey our Plight.

from: N. K. Dhuvad
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 15:35 IST
Anna Hazareji please also update your security. The evil corrupt mafia does not want this bill to come in force. Money can turn into supari, so please have some intelligence around you to protect you. We common Indian aam aadmi want a leader like you.

from: Sokhi Singh
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 15:35 IST
Mr Anna Ji is absolutely clear about the movement. The SARKARI BABUS and allied active OR passive politicians from Top to Bottom, unless they come out boldly with expressed support to the movement, their silence shall be deemed support to the corruption. It is a cancer, spreded all over the nation since FIVE+ decades. Obviously, it would not be possible to expect ZERO corruption within the given time frame. BUT it would sure set the path towards reaching the ZERO level too.
Silence by all in the red area zone must come out with courage and conviction by exposing their surrounding corrupt practices, they are witnessing always, under or above them. IT WOULD BE THE GREATEST SERVICE TO TE NATION, indemnifying ownself, individually from the corruption links, in their working areas.

from: Dilipbhai Shah
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 15:39 IST
After a successful agitation in Delhi and all over India it was expected that all political leaders would not tolerate this success and they may create confusions and conflicts amongst the leaders of IAC and their supporters.Now they are making every possible efforts to defame and dissolve the movement.Kapil Sibal is trying to misguide people by saying that Janlokpal bill would not be able to provide water, education and other basic needs.But the fact is that if Janlokpal bill comes in force then corruption at top level i.e.corruption by political leaders and adm.officers would be curbed effectively and corruption at low level will automatically finish.Also leaders of IAC should try their best to make the whole 'bill drafting'transparent through vediography as this will keep the public wakeful.I alongwith my family and friends strongly support Anna Hajare movement against corruption.Jai Hind.

from: Ashok Singla
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 15:50 IST
Who is corrupting whom is not the issue. The point is whether India can break ice and usher a new era of honesty, transparency and accountability. It's honeymoon time as Hazare wave is on the rise. All those supporting Anna must remember they are opting for a bed thorns, not roses. Can they sacrifice their all the way Hazare is doing? Answer to this question will decide whether the present uprising will reach its logical conclusion, or get lost on wayside.

from: Bir Singh Yadav
Posted on: Apr 14, 2011 at 16:00 IST