Cracks in civil society over inclusion of father-son duo

Difference of opinion has cropped up among the civil society groups over the inclusion of father-son lawyers duo Shanti Bhushan and Prashant Bhushan in the committee to draft the Lokpal Bill.

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, who was one of the prominent backers of the agitation, said in Haridwar why there was nepotism in the committee of civil society.

"Why is there nepotism in there committee? Why both father and son are accommodated in the committee"? he said.

Hazare, however, disagreed with him. At a press conference in Delhi, he said "you can level any allegations against me. I am a person who follows Gandhian principles. Nothing wrong in having two members of the same family in the panel. We need experience. We need expertise".

Another leading civil society activist Arvind Kejriwal, who was a part of the protest, said "it is a coincidence that they are father and son. But they are experts, they are very experienced and independent lawyers".

Reacting to the comments, lawyer Prashant Bhushan said "personally I wouldn't like to be in the panel. Ideally, somebody else should be a member. Many people may have objections to two members from the family being in the panel".

He said "being lawyers we were involved in drafting of the Lokpal Bill. So, Anna (Hazare) made us members. As of now, I am not withdrawing myself but if it comes to that I am willing to withdraw myself".

Veteran Gandhian Anna Hazare broke his fast this morning after the government issued a notification on drafting the Lokpal Bill.