Demonstrators in Bangalore divided over Lokpal’s efficacy

Even as the country’s lawmakers have adopted a resolution to table Anna’s version of Jan Lokpal Bill to deal with corruption, Bangaloreans gathered at Freedom Park were divided over the bill’s efficacy—while some said it would indeed make a difference, some were skeptical.

Yogendra Manjunath, a scientist with Avesthagen, firmly believes that the bill is the answer to corruption. He said it did not matter whether one was a politician, a policeman, a bureaucrat or a common man, no would be beyond scrutiny and punishment once Jan Lokpal bill was passed. Sonu Kapur, a resident of Marathahalli, said a change would definitely happen as people would have an authority to turn to seek justice if they get victimised.

NS Ramakanth, member of Solid Waste Management Round Table Bangalore, too believes that fear of punishment would deter people from asking for bribes. He cited an example of how the tide against corruption has already started showing its effect. He said he had gone to RTO office on Saturday to get his driving licence renewed and, unlike earlier, the official there set about the work without any fuss.

‘Won’t work, will take time’
Yashaswini Vathsala, a student of Sheshadripuram Degree college, is of the opinion that the Jan Lokpal Bill will remain on paper. “This law will be yet another law that will be broken every day, just like all other rules and laws are broken in our country,” she said. “Whatever has been happening all these years makes me feel less confident.”

Another student Kapil Kurup said people would not heed the law initially, but that is only until the news about violators’ prosecution started making rounds. He said it would take time for people to understand the strength of the Lokpal. Shridha Tyagi, research and development engineer with IBM, too says the bill will not change anything overnight but with time it surely will start registering its impact.