Lokpal — differences.

The Hindu; Saturday,06 August 2011.

Right from the time Team Anna scored its stunning success after the fast at Jantar Mantar, civil society seems to be slowly sliding into a state of anarchy, almost exceeding its brief at every step and proving that the leader and his team are not wedded to Gandhian principles as they have started using impolite language after facing obstacles. Most readers have criticised Team Anna for burning the government's version of the draft of the bill and this needs to be taken as a referendum against civil society (August 5). What Team Anna should remember is that Rome is not built in a day. Let it allow the government to introduce the bill for the present. Modifications, as desired, can be inserted in due course to make it foolproof.

Capt. T. Raju (retd.), Secunderabad

Instead of urging citizens to reject the government draft, Team Anna could have opted for a positive alternative — urging youth and government servants to write to the President. Burning a government bill is tantamount to insulting Parliament. Sadly, by indulging in this act, there seems to be very little difference between an agitated group burning an effigy out of anger and Team Anna.

Subramanian V., Chidambaram

The draft Lokpal Bill seems only to be to pacify people. Parliament must come out with stronger and better solutions to eradicate corruption.

John Paul L., Thumba

To say that the Lokpal bill, presented by the government, is designed to protect the corrupt and punish those who raise their voice against corruption is to take the common man for granted. There may be some deficiencies, but that has to be ironed out by discussion and educating the public about where and what these are. This is a government which has brought in the RTI, the RTE and the rural employment guarantee scheme and cannot be just brushed aside.

G.M. Balasubramaniam, Bangalore

If non-inclusion of the Prime Minister is unacceptable to the BJP, the party can very well make it an election issue. Mr. Hazare, who rose to great heights when he began his successful campaign against corruption in high places, has come down several notches when he burnt copies of the government draft of the bill.

P.U. Krishnan, Udhagamandalam

Call it cynical and pessimistic, but I did not ever hold any hope of a strong and efficient Lokpal bill. An effective tool for anti-corruption is equally detrimental to all sections of power. The government has in its fold legal luminaries against whom civil society members are hapless negotiators.

Anilkumar Kurup, Bahrain

It is sad to read that Mr. Hazare has actively engaged himself in the burning of copies of the draft bill besides encouraging his followers to follow suit. It is with gratitude that many of us acknowledge his efforts in trying to find a solution to corruption of Himalayan proportions.

Tharcius S. Fernando, Chennai

That the government has likened the burning of copies of the bill to “contempt of Parliament” evokes derisive laughter. Has the government forgotten that not long ago India was horrified to see its MPs throwing papers in the air, indulging in aggressive behaviour and taking out bundles of currency notes from bags in the House? Was any of these acts dignified? How was it that these were never termed “contempt of Parliament”?

K.R.P.Gupta, Mumbai

The draft bill, as its name suggests, is only a draft. It will become the law of the land only after Parliament approves it. Therefore, there is nothing wrong in Mr. Hazare burning copies of it as a mark of protest against its inadequacy to fight corruption. Moreover, the mode of protest reminds us of freedom fighters employing the same tactic to protest against the British. After all, the UPA government has been behaving more like a colonial power than a democratically elected dispensation.

V.N. Mukundarajan, Thiruvananthapuram

Reading the letters by readers on the “legitimacy” of Anna Hazare's modus operandi reminds me of the freedom struggle and the two schools — of moderates and extremists.

No matter which “side” one identifies oneself with, every right thinking individual would agree that corruption is eating into the vitals of our nation and must be tackled soon. Burning copies of the Lokpal bill introduced in Parliament is symbolic of the dying faith of the masses in the government and its policies, and must not be mistaken as an insult to any individual, committee or Parliament. This is not a fight between Mr. Hazare and the government, but between democracy and corruption.

Pranav Shekhar, New Delhi

It is surprising that the Opposition finds the non-inclusion of the PM, the only stumbling factor in accepting the draft bill. What about corruption at grass-roots level? Which elected representative or party in Parliament has shown concern for the common man while drafting or debating the bill? In burning copies of the draft bill, Anna Hazare's methodology, though inviting criticism, should be considered as the only alternative left to right-thinking Indian citizens to free themselves from the scourge of corruption.

Dr. Sunil P. Shenoy, Mangalore

Blaming the BJP and criticising Team Anna for insulting democratic traditions will not satisfy the people. We have had several unpalatable incidents involving those at the helm of affairs. That no one keeps high expectations of any truly functional Lokpal, which would eliminate or reduce corruption, whether the PM is within or without of its purview, is also no excuse to maintaining that the nation's CEO is too holy to touch. Considering all aspects, it is now an apt opportunity for Parliament to correct itself.

P.R.V.Raja, Pandalam