People’s victory

People’s victory
The mammoth gatherings in support of Anna Hazare’s drive for anti-corruption, all over the country, are akin to a fight for the second independence, this time for a corruption-free India. And finally, looking at the mass movement, the central government allowed Anna a 15-day fast at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan (‘Today is Annather day’, August 19). All this commotion could have been avoided if the authorities had tackled the issue wisely right from the inception. Now the government should realise that electorate wants a strong Lokpal Bill and any attempt by the government to suppress it will be met with strong reaction. Politicians in Parliament need to work for the overall interest of the people and the nation.
—Jitendra Kothari, via email

II
It is the ‘clean and apparently honest’ prime minister Manmohan Singh’s team that has ironically lost its face in trying to thwart Anna’s plans for a second satyagraha on August 16 by first arresting Team Anna and then scurrying to save face by releasing them after the nationwide reaction to their actions. Every helpless Indian is required to pay a bribe at some stage and it is this anger that was precipitated and reflected in the spontaneous rallies all over the country. The government needs to wake up from their slumber while the nationwide leaderless protests are still in the non-violent satyagraha mode.
—Vanita Shenoy, Mumbai

III
The uprising of the people against corruption under the leadership of Anna is really a second freedom struggle since corruption has deprived the aam aadmi of his rights and dues. The massive support has no parallel since the Independence struggle. The government stands isolated. The government has no choice than to accept Anna’s Jan Lokpal bill, with certain amendments if necessary. Let the Parliament debate on both the bills. We should have a comprehensive and strong bill against corruption.
—NR Ramachandran, Bangalore

Govt caught
The government have been caught on the wrong foot this time when they arrested Anna Hazare. Anna is not an ordinary politician or criminal, he is a true Gandhian. The issue he raised is the core; and India is attending Anna’s earnest  call against this social evil. It’s time to change the system.
—Govindan Unny, via email

No bluff please
While replying to the charges of the opposition parties in Parliament during the debate on Anna Hazare’s arrest, the Prime Minister made a startling announcement. He implied that the present agitation by Team Anna is being orchestrated by external forces that are determined to destabilise the country. This is sadly reminiscent of the bogey of ‘foreign hand’ Indira Gandhi used to invoke whenever her authoritarian style of functioning was challenged by a popular upsurge, as it happened during JP’s movement. This government is equally autocratic. The Congress party suffers from a siege mentality and sees red in every dissent to its whimsical ways. The government should realise that the days when one could run the government with bluff and bluster are gone and the people now demand accountability from their rulers.
—Arun Chandra, Mumbai

Need for action
The unabated ambush of security personnel by the insurgent outfits reaffirms the need to give a free hand to state governments to formulate methods suitable for preventing such ghastly incidents in areas which are nearly inaccessible to the large contingents of law enforcing agencies. The Supreme Court order disbanding Salwa Judum, therefore warrants immediate review. The learned judges may be correct in upholding the ‘letter’ of the constitution, but the ‘spirit’ of the Constitution has been totally forgotten in the process. The campaign of the so-called social activists like Binayak Sen is blindly supported by many in the name of upholding human rights. But those living in ivory towers hardly realise the pain of the families of the security forces fighting lawlessness in the remote areas of Chhatisgarh.
—KV Chandra Sekharan, Bangalore

Time is running out
The fast unto death by Anna Hazare has shaken the government (‘Congress paralysed in face of Hazare-tsunami’, August 20). The fast was expected, but the government did not anticipate Anna’s popularity. Anna is a very honest leader, who will not budge from what he believes in, and hence the nationwide support and encouragement by the people is not surprising. Failing to realise this, the government messed up last week and that showed its immaturity. The need of the hour is acting without wasting any time. The government should call all party leaders, convene a meeting and take a look at Anna’s version of Lokpal bill.
—S Jayakumar, via email

Don’t waste time
To break the deadlock over the Lokpal bill, the PM is reported to have called for a give and take policy. Team Anna should make use of this opportunity. Confrontation is not going to solve the problem. A strong Lokpal bill to end corruption is the need of the hour. We have to settle issues like bringing back the black money stashed in foreign banks and electoral reforms, which are as important as eradicating corruption.
—Sravana Ramachandran, Bangalore

Gandhi vs Gandhi
The move by Varun Gandhi to place Jan Lokpal Bill, drafted by Team Anna, as a private member’s bill in the Lok Sabha has raised eyebrows amongst the public (‘Varun Gandhi to present Jan Lokpal as private member’s bill’, August 19). Is Varun’s move a ploy to restrict the rise of Gandhi scion, Rahul, in UP before the ensuing elections? Rahul is not in a position to undertake the planned UP tour because of the turmoil created by Anna’s arrest. Having failed miserably in Bihar, the young PM aspirant wants to show his guts as a Congress MP in UP, but if Varun gets people’s sympathy, he can become a hurdle to Rahul. It is also not clear whether Varun has the BJP’s backing.
—Jayant Nadkarni, via email