This is the first time in India that an anti corruption movement led by Anna hazare received unprecedented response and participation from every layer of the society. But the man behind movement is Arvind Kejriwal who had given a shape to Jan Lokpal bill by taking legal expertise of Mr Shanti Bhushan, Justice Santosh Hedge and other legal experts. The first public meeting on Jan Lokpal issue was held on 30th January at Ram Lila ground and impressive gathering of all class of people especially students were seen. Shri Anna hazare was one the speakers of the meeting.
The 5th April was a turning point in the history of Jan Lokpal movement when Shri Anna hazare sat on fast unto death at Jantar mantar and this got wide coverage on the television channels and the people’s support in the movement in all most all cities and towns of the country and even some cities of abroad. The central government succumbed to the public pressure and conceded the demand for inclusion of five civil society members in the drafting committee of Jan Lokpal bill. Although the central government was reluctant to the demand of Anna hazare but the government led by Congress party has to swallow bitter pill because of prospect of the general elections which were to be held shortly in the states namely West Bengal, Assam, Goa and Kerala.
There were differences and discord among the members of civil society and the members of government in the drafting committee. From the very beginning, the government members particularly Mr. Kapil Sibal and Mr. P. Chidambaram were opposed to some provisions of Jan Lokpal bill whereas Arvind Kejriwal wanted that the basic structure of the Jan Lokpal should be included in the bill to make the bill more effective and deterrent to curb the rampant corruption pervading in the country.
The central government gave assurance to put Jan Lokpal bill on the table of parliament before 16th of August, 2011 however it could not fulfill the promises which were made to the nation. Shri Anna hazare has to sit on the fast unto death again due to government apathy and reluctance to bring a strong anti corruption law in the country. The whole world watched live ruthless drama of the central government when it wanted to crush the popular anti corruption movement led by Anna hazare likewise Baba Ramdev led anti black money movement which was crushed mercilessly on 4th Jun, 2011. However this time the government did not take tough action like Baba Ramdev due to the fear of the counterproductive outcome due to the overwhelming people’s support of this movement throughout India and some parts of glob.
From the very inception the central government is reluctant to bring Jan Lokpal bill and still some leaders of Congress party and ministers are playing dirty politics by creating confusion, misinformation and discrediting the members of civil society in order to deviate the issue of Jan Lokpal. However the people are aware of the fact and government at the centre has lost all credit and prestige. It is the wise decision of the core committee of India against corruption to oppose Congress party in coming election if the Jan Lokpal Bill is not introduced and passed in the parliament in winter session of 2011. Because no other option is left to pressurize this government. The ruling party can only be brought under the control under the threat of dethroning the party from power.
----- Radha krishna Kumar
