There is no doubt that corruption is rampant at all levels of government departments. As the rot starts from the head, so is the position of Dr. Manmohan Singh-led UPA-II Government at the Centre if we go by the scams like 2G Spectrum, CWG, Adarsh Hosing Society, NTRO, Space and others. The allegation that this government is neck-deep in corruption is not out of place. Anna Hazare's declared protest against corruption by sitting on fast unto death from August 16 in Delhi is his constitutional right and no government can stop him from doing so but at the same time he must be knowing Gandhian philosophy that a person's freedom ends at the point it violates another's freedom. To keep the freedom and right of all intact, the police administration has the responsibility to maintain law and order and they arrested Anna in apprehension of breaking it.
Anna Hazare is a Gandhian and social activist of the high moral standard. Not only he but also the all Indian citizens have constitutional right to protest in a non-violent and civilised way. Hazare had announced several days ago that he would sit on fast unto death in demand for making Lokpal as he wishes to curb corruption. He along with his so-called civil society associates sat several times with Government representatives to draft a Lokpal Bill. But the difference persisted between the government and Anna side and both drafted their own Lokpal Bill.
Anna Hazare and his team of so-called civil society members drafted Jan Lokpal Bill and presented it to the Government representatives -headed by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to present before the Union Cabinet for approval to be introduced in Parliament. Government panel of five representatives also prepared a Lokpall Bill to be presented before the Cabinet. And according to the Government side, Union Cabinet approved their Lokpal Bill in which they had incorporated 34 clauses out 40 from the Jan Lokpall Bill drafted by Anna and his team.
Government introduced the Lokpall Bill in Parliament, which has been sent to Standing Committee to elicit different shades of opinions on it from different sides and individuals for improvisation of the Lokpall Bill under consideration. Anna and his team described Government Lokpal Bill as fraud. They say it is an eye-wash and nothing else.
One of the civil society members was even heard saying on Television News Channels that the Lokpall Bill introduced in the Parliament is nothing but a Corruption Promotion Bill. Team Anna was so much angry at the introduction of the Lokpall Bill in Parliament that they burnt its copies at different places. Since then it was certain that if the Government did not agree to Anna and his team members view and if the Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by them was not introduced, Anna Hazare would sit on fast unto death till indifinite period in national capital Delhi as it is his democratic right to stage peaceful protests. It is their fundamental right and no body has any dispute on this. But it is also the constitutional responsibility of the administration to maintain law and order and ensure hassle free life of the common Delhiites.
The police administration of Delhi allotted Anna Hazare Jai Prakash Narayan Park in North-East Delhi to sit on fast unto death for not more than 58 hours, not more than 5000 people, 50 cars and 60 motorbikes and loudspeakers not after 9 PM. Anna and his team refused to abide by these conditions laid down by police to maintain law and order. Instead, they dared the entire administration and announced of going ahead with their programmes, come what may. Immediately after this , the Delhi police imposed 144 prohibitory order in and around JP Park.
As Anna was adamant to sit on fast unto death against corruption today’s morning from 10 AM at JP Park, the Delhi police arrested him and some of aides before 8 in the morning itself from his house and produced before the court for bail. The designated court sent Anna Hazare and his aides to Tihar Jail for 7 days under judicial custody as they refused to accept the bail. Anna must protest against corruption as it eats into the vitality of the nation very fast. Corruption is more dangerous than cancer. So, he and his team must protest but with high standard of civility as he is known for setting highest standard of probity in public life. Delhi is a national capital city so any message message from here goes out world- wide faster. So, it would be better for team Anna to select a place of protest in any area adjascent to national capital.
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