Stay on Lokayukta, we need you

One day after Lokayukta justice N Santosh Hegde announced his decision to quit by August 31, there has been a tremendous outpouring of both affection and anger: Affection for the man that people hold as a face of the war against corruption in the state; and anger that the government has let him down.

Protests were held across the state, at Mysore, Hubli, Chamarajnagar and Chikmagalur, as people gathered to press the Lokayukta to withdraw his resignation. Justice Hegde has perhaps never before received such public displays of his enormous popularity, evidence of the great trust he inspires among ordinary folk.

Even as he arrived at his office on Thursday morning, several groups gathered in an attempt to plead with him to relent. They blocked his way, and made repeated pleas. A group of lawyers, activists of Praja Vimochana Vedike, and other organisations staged a dharna opposite the Lokayukta office. They refused to budge until justice Hegde made an announcement withdrawing his resignation. Justice Hegde pleaded that he be allowed to enter the office premises.

The Lokayukta entered his office with assistance from security personnel. Crowds followed him, shouting slogans against the BJP government and demanding that the Lokayukta continue in office. The crowds raised slogans demanding that the state immediately grant the Lokayukta suo motu powers. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike activists led by Narayana Gowda staged a dharna at the Gandhi statue on MG Road. They threatened to intensify the agitation if their demands fell on deaf ears.

Meanwhile, Advocates’ Association of Bangalore, led by president KN Putte Gowda, has been chalking out an elaborate plan of action to ensure that justice Hegde continues in the post. They plan to meet the chief minister to convince him to meet the demands of the Lokayukta, and said they would urge the governor not to accept justice Hegde’s resignation.